Osteoarthritis in Horses and Dogs

Osteoarthritis in Horses and Dogs: Understanding the Condition and Supporting Long-Term Wellness

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to shed light on one of the most common, and often misunderstood, degenerative conditions affecting animals: osteoarthritis (OA). Whether it’s an aging Labrador struggling to get up or a sport horse becoming subtly uneven under saddle, OA affects quality of life, performance, and comfort in profound ways.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a chronic, progressive condition characterised by:

• Cartilage degeneration
• Bone remodeling
• Synovial inflammation
• Joint capsule fibrosis

Unlike inflammatory arthritis (e.g., immune-mediated conditions), OA is primarily mechanical and degenerative in nature, though inflammation plays a role in its progression [1,2].

Causes of Osteoarthritis in Horses and Dogs

OA typically develops due to a combination of mechanical stress and biological changes. The most common contributing factors include:

In Horses:

• Wear and tear from repetitive loading (especially in sport horses)
• Joint trauma (e.g., from poor footing, falls, or intense training)
• Conformational abnormalities
• Developmental joint diseases (e.g., OCD, physitis) [3,4]
  
  

In Dogs:

• Hip or elbow dysplasia
• Cruciate ligament injury (common precursor to stifle OA)
• Obesity (increased joint load)
• Poor conformation
• Aging and general wear [5,6]
  
  

In both species, early-life joint stress and inadequate rehabilitation after injury are key contributors [7].

Clinical Signs to Watch For

The signs of OA can be subtle at first, gradually becoming more obvious as the disease progresses:

In Horses:

• Stiffness when starting work
• Reduced performance or reluctance to work
• Changes in movement quality or asymmetry
• Behavioral changes (e.g., resistance, ear pinning under saddle)
• Swelling or thickening around joints [8,9]
  
  

In Dogs:

• Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get up
• Lameness or stiffness, especially after rest
• Decreased activity or play
• Changes in gait or posture
• Muscle loss (especially hind limbs) [10,11]
  
  

Because OA often progresses slowly, early signs may be dismissed as “just aging”, but early intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

Veterinary Management of Osteoarthritis

Veterinary treatment aims to reduce pain, slow disease progression, and improve function. Key options include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – First-line for pain management.
• Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) – Including PSGAGs (e.g., Adequan or Cartrophen)
• Intra-articular therapies – Such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or regenerative options like PRP and stem cell therapy.Weight management – Essential in dogs.
• Surgical options – In severe or end-stage cases (e.g., joint replacement, arthrodesis) [12–15].
  
  

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to monitor progression and adjust the plan accordingly.

How Osteopathy and Rehab Therapies Help

Osteopathy offers a gentle, holistic approach to managing osteoarthritis by addressing compensatory patterns, biomechanical stress, and neurovascular imbalances that arise due to chronic joint dysfunction.

Osteopathic Approaches May Include:

• Myofascial release to reduce tension in surrounding tissues
• Joint mobilisation to maintain range of motion in unaffected or adjacent joints
• Visceral and craniosacral techniques where systemic strain is contributing to dysfunction
• Postural rebalancing to offload affected joints [16,17]
  
  

In dogs, osteopathic treatment may focus on pelvic alignment and lumbar strain, particularly in cases involving hip or stifle OA. In horses, attention is often placed on lumbo-sacral compensation, shoulder mechanics, and pelvic symmetry [18].

Complementary Rehab Modalities:

• Hydrotherapy – Excellent for joint unloading and muscle strengthening
• Laser therapy – Reduces inflammation and pain
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) – Stimulates cellular repair
• Therapeutic exercise – Maintains muscle mass and joint support
• Manual therapies – Including massage, trigger point work, and stretching [19–22]
• Physiotherapy - including specific rehabilitative exercises
  
  

Importantly, rehab should be individualised. What works for one animal may not be appropriate for another, especially in the presence of compensatory injuries.

A Collaborative, Multi-Modal Approach

Osteoarthritis is not curable, but it is manageable. The best outcomes are achieved with an interdisciplinary approach, integrating:

• Veterinary oversight
• Bodywork and manual therapy
• Targeted exercise and rehab
• Environmental adjustments
• Owner education and monitoring

Osteopathy fits beautifully into this collaborative model, helping to support biomechanical balance, enhance circulation, and reduce the risk of secondary dysfunctions [23].

Arthritis is not a death sentence, but it is a signal to act. Early recognition, proactive management, and integrated care can help our horses and dogs live more comfortably and remain active well into their senior years.

If you work with animals affected by OA, or have one in your care, consider how your skills and collaboration with veterinary and other animal professionals can make a meaningful difference.

Need help supporting an animal with OA?
Reach out to a qualified animal osteopath or rehab therapist trained to work alongside your veterinary team.

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References

1. Johnston SA. Osteoarthritis: Joint anatomy, physiology, and pathobiology. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997;27(4):699–723.
2. McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE. The role of inflammation in equine joint disease. Equine Vet J. 2012;44(2):145–152.
3. Baxter GM. Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2020.
4. Ross MW, Dyson SJ. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2010.
5. Anderson KL, Zulch H, O’Neill DG. Epidemiology of canine osteoarthritis. Vet Rec. 2020;186(17):564.
6. Sanderson RO, et al. Systematic review of the management of canine osteoarthritis. Vet Rec. 2009;164(14):418–424.
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12. Vandeweerd JM, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2012;26(3):448–456.
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16. Engel BT. Somatic dysfunction and osteopathic manipulative treatment in veterinary medicine. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2002;102(2):65–69.
17. Almond AM. Principles of veterinary osteopathy. In: Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, 3rd ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.
18. King JN, et al. Osteopathic approaches to equine performance. J Equine Vet Sci. 2014;34(3):355–361.
19. Levine D, Marcellin-Little DJ, Millis DL. Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2013.
20. Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. The application of biomechanical principles in equine rehabilitation. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2017;33(1):17–35.
21. Alves JC, et al. Therapeutic exercise in canine osteoarthritis. Top Companion Anim Med. 2020;39:100432.
22. Draper WE, et al. Effects of cold laser therapy on pain and inflammation in horses and dogs with OA. Am J Vet Res. 2015;76(9):765–773.
23. Ricard F, Denoix J-M. Multimodal approach to equine musculoskeletal disorders. Equine Vet Educ. 2016;28(3):139–146.
    
    

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