A Veterinary First: Treatment for Arthritis Pain

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• The FDA has recently approved the first-ever monoclonal antibody (mAB) treatments for arthritis pain in cats and dogs; the mAB for cats is also the first ever treatment of any kind for arthritis pain control
• The mAB treatments are in the form of subcutaneous (under the skin) injections that must be prescribed and given by a licensed veterinarian; pets who receive these treatments must also be monitored for side effects
• Estimates are that approximately 14 million dogs in the U.S. and 90% of cats over age 12 have osteoarthritis (OA); OA can be a primary or secondary disorder and is more often seen in senior pets, however, research suggests OA isn’t necessarily a normal part of aging, since not every older pet develops the condition
• Even with the availability of monoclonal antibody treatments, cats and dogs with arthritis will benefit from a multimodal treatment approach that includes lifestyle modifications, nontoxic pain control, and a customized oral protocol that includes chondroprotective agents
• It’s important for both you and your veterinarian to continuously monitor your arthritic pet and make adjustments as necessary to treatment protocols