Improving the treatment of osteoarthritis in practice

Musculoskeletal disorders in companion animals are common, accounting for 8% of all diagnoses made in small animal practice. It is estimated that around 40% of cats and dogs are affected by osteoarthritis.

CVS group ran a clinical improvement project to increase the treatment of lameness in 35 of its first opinion small animal practices in the UK.

Research (Belshaw et al, 2020) has found that owners of dogs with osteoarthritis suffer negative physical, emotional and financial consequences when their pet is diagnosed with osteoarthritis, due to loss of fitness and social opportunities if their dog cannot exercise as they intended, the cost of managing the problem, and worry about their pet's suffering and side-effects and cost of long-term medication. The research found that owners looked for help from non-veterinary sources, as they believed vets would only prescribe more drugs and that this would increase the cost of treatment.