In the US, two out of three dogs are obese. This exacerbates the difficulties vets face when trying to manage pain and rehabilitate arthritic dogs. Matt Brunke and Hannah Capon discuss nutrition and supplements and point out that fat doesn’t just increase loading on joints, it secretes inflammatory mediators that make arthritis worse. They then go on to discuss an imaginary case study – an overweight dog with elbow problems – and Matt outlines what he would do to reach a diagnosis and the different options for treatment, from stem cells and platelet rich plasma to the more usual pharmaceutical interventions. With all options, the aim is to get the dog as free from pain as possible so that it can complete a rehab programme aimed at restoring function.

Guest Bio:

Matt Brunke DVM, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, CVA is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and practises rehabilitation, acupuncture and pain management in Maryland, US.

5 Key takeaways:

• Obesity worsens arthritis
  Extra fat increases joint stress and inflammation.

• Pain relief comes first
  Dogs need pain control before rehab can work.

• Diet matters
  Good nutrition and supplements can support joint health.

• Treatment should be multimodal
  Combining meds, rehab, weight loss, and therapies works best.

• Focus on quality of life
  The goal is better movement, comfort, and daily function.

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