A Silent Epidemic Among Dogs
Osteoarthritis is a serious and growing problem in dogs. Although most often diagnosed in older pets, recent studies show it begins much earlier than many realize. In fact, 20% of dogs over one year old, 40% of those under four, and an astounding 80% of dogs over eight show signs of this chronic and progressive joint disease.
Osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage, the cushioning tissue on bones that allows smooth, pain-free movement, begins to deteriorate. This leads to pain, inflammation, stiffness, and eventually difficulty using the affected limbs. Often, the condition develops as a secondary response to an underlying injury or structural issue in the joint.
Despite how common and painful this disease is, truly effective treatments remain limited.
Treating Pain, Not the Problem
The standard treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as carprofen or deracoxib. These medicines help lower inflammation and ease pain. However, they do come with some risks. Over time, their use can cause stomach problems like upset stomach and ulcers, and in some dogs, it can affect the liver and kidneys.
Side effects are especially concerning for older dogs because they often have osteoarthritis along with other health issues and may be taking multiple medications. Younger dogs, who may need to manage osteoarthritis for many years, also face risks. That’s why many owners and veterinarians are seeking better treatment options.
There’s a Fix for People…But Not Yet for Dogs
In human medicine, if other treatments aren’t working, doctors may use local anesthetic injections, also known as nerve blocks, to manage chronic joint pain. These injections can provide targeted relief without the systemic side effects of oral medication. But for dogs, this treatment option has not been explored.
That is beginning to change, thanks to pioneering research by Dr. Diego Portela at the University of Florida, funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Reimagining Pain Relief, One Joint at a Time
Dr. Portela set out to explore whether a safe, effective technique could be developed to target the sensory nerves in canine joints, specifically the knee and elbow, without impacting the motor function of the leg.
“The problem is that, if you inject a big nerve, it can paralyze that part of the body for months,” explained Dr. Portela. “To avoid that, you need to develop a technique that blocks only the sensory nerves.”
After numerous trials and adjustments, Dr. Portela and his team succeeded in developing two innovative techniques. His method for targeting nerves in the knee proved especially promising, showing a high success rate and minimal risk.
“The technique is very easy to perform and easy to reproduce,” Dr. Portela said. “With minimal training, this is something that many veterinarians can do.”
A New Hope for Dogs in Pain
While the elbow block was more challenging due to the joint’s complex anatomy, the team still saw positive results and identified areas for further refinement. Both studies were published in peer-reviewed journals earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in canine pain management research.
Dr. Portela’s motivation for this research comes from his early experiences working with regional anesthesia in small animals under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Pablo Otero, in Argentina.
“I saw how much better the management and stability of the dogs was under anesthesia,” he said. “It’s safer, and the animals recover a lot faster. That’s amazing.”
Although these techniques are still in the research phase, their potential to improve quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis is enormous. For the many dogs living in pain, this work opens the door to safer, more targeted care.
