Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital.
The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these patients.
Source: American Veterinarian, January 23, 2019. Link. The report recommends 5 opportunities for veterinary professionals to improve their approach and partner more closely with pet owners:
- Dispense pain medication for all pets when a diagnosis of OA is made
- Incorporate existing tools for earlier identification of OA
- Make dietary recommendations, every time
- Assist with weight management
- Include the entire team
INSIGHTS: I suspect human doctors would predict similar barriers with pet owners who have OA.
The primary barriers hindering the management of OA in veterinary medicine include the cost of treatment, hospital time restraints, noncompliance, and owners’ lack of recognition that their pet is painful or overweight.