In this episode, Hannah Capon speaks with Professor John Innes about managing arthritis in dogs and the importance of choosing and monitoring treatments effectively. John provides an overview of arthritis pathophysiology, helping pet owners understand how medications work and why treatment plans must evolve over time. They discuss objective monitoring tools, which help assess whether interventions are effective and when modifications to the treatment plan are necessary. The episode also answers listener questions about the latest treatments like Librela and emphasizes the need for full clinical assessments to rule out other conditions mimicking arthritis.

Guest info:

Professor John Innes is a renowned veterinary surgeon and orthopaedic specialist with over 30 years of experience. He earned his PhD in musculoskeletal sciences from the University of Bristol and became an RCVS-recognized Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. Formerly a Professor at the University of Liverpool, John has been a leader in research, teaching, and clinical practice in orthopaedics. Currently serving as Chief Veterinary Officer at CVS Group plc, he oversees quality improvement and specialist services across the group.

Key Takehomes

1. Understand arthritis pathophysiology: Knowing how arthritis progresses is essential for understanding how treatments work.
2. Use objective monitoring tools: Tools like scoring systems help assess if treatments are effective and when adjustments are needed.
3. Treatment plans must evolve: Arthritis is a progressive condition requiring ongoing modifications to management strategies.
4. Librela offers new hope: This monoclonal antibody therapy targets nerve growth factor, providing pain relief for some dogs.
5. Full clinical assessments are vital: Always ensure the signs are due to arthritis and not another condition.

Learn more about CAM: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Learn more about CARE: https://caninearthritis.org

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.