With an estimated forty percent of dogs affected by osteoarthritis pain, veterinarians need practical guidance that converts complex pathophysiology into effective clinical protocols. Canine Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain delivers evidence-based strategies for identifying subtle pain indicators and developing tailored treatment plans. Board-certified surgeon and rehabilitation specialist Kristin Kirkby Shaw and general practitioner co-editor Hannah Capon provide actionable frameworks for busy practitioners.

This resource covers OA pathophysiology, traditional and emerging treatment modalities, and multimodal management approaches grounded in current evidence. Practitioners gain access to downloadable PDFs, instructional videos, questionnaires, and client handouts for seamless workflow integration. The book includes algorithms for personalized treatment planning and client engagement tools featuring educational videos and home exercises for strengthening arthritic limbs.

Readers will also find:

Designed for primary care veterinarians, veterinary specialists caring for dogs with joint disease, veterinary students, and technicians involved in canine pain management, this practical guidebook transforms complex scientific knowledge into actionable clinical strategies. Whether developing treatment plans or engaging clients in home care, practitioners gain the tools needed for compassionate, effective OA management.

List of Contributors xxi
Foreword by Dr. Steven M. Fox xxiii
Foreword by Laura Eldridge xxv
Acknowledgments xxvi
About the Companion Website xxvii

1 Read with Purpose: How to Approach This Book 3
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Hannah Capon

2 The OA Blueprint 6
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Hannah

3 What We Are Up Against: Understanding OA and Maladaptive Pain 10
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Duncan Lascelles

4 The Role of Fear and Anxiety in OA Care 31
Margaret Gruen and Michael Khan

5 "But My Dog Isn't Crying Out." How to Talk with Caregivers About OA and Pain 37
Hannah Capon

6 It Takes a Village: A Team- Based Approach to Osteoarthritis Management 49
Jerrod Johnson

7 Tech to Tech: How to Be the Best OA Advocate for Your Patients 55
Stephen Niño Cital

8 How to Create an OA- Friendly Clinic and Consult 63
Tamsin Durston

9 When It's Not So Simple: Differential Diagnoses for OA Lameness and Common Comorbidities That May Impact Your Plan 75
Wanda Gordon-Evans

10 It Starts with an Index of Suspicion: Screening Tools for Identifying OA 85
Kristin Kirkby Shaw

11 The Art of the Musculoskeletal Exam: Using Low- Stress Techniques to Establish a Diagnosis of Joint Disease 93
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Ross Palmer

12 Diagnostic Imaging Techniques and Radiographic Features of OA 117
Matthew D. Winter and Danielle Mauragis

13 Put a Number on It: Stages, Grades, and Use of Clinical Metrology Instruments for OA 155
Mark E. Epstein, Kristin Kirkby Shaw, and Hannah Capon

14 How to Develop and Modify Your Plan 169
Hannah Capon

15 Pharmaceutical Options for OA Management 187
Melina Zimmerman and Kristin Kirkby

16 The Biggest Impact: Weight Management and Nutrition for Canine OA 219
Joe Wakshlag, Ernie Ward, and Kristin Kirkby Shaw

17 Use It or Lose It: The Crucial Role of Exercise in OA Management 247
Kara Amstutz

18 OA Is a Way of Life: Home and Environmental Modifications 260
Hannah Capon

19 Surgical Management of Joint Diseases and Osteoarthritis 283
Christina DeArmond, Miranda de la Vega, and Laurent Guiot

20 Canine Rehabilitation: What It Is and What Techniques Can Help Dogs with OA 318
Janet Van Dyke, Lindsey Fry, Jesscia Rychel, and Teri Lyn Willard

21 Joint Support Supplements: Do They Have a Place in Canine OA Management? 333
Leilani X. Alvarez

22 Intra-Articular Therapies 345
Jessica Rychel, Lindsey Fry, and Arielle Pechette Markley

23 Acupuncture for OA Management: Scientific Rationale and Practical Recommendations 359
Lindsey Fry and Arielle Pechette Markley

24 When It's Not Quite Time: Palliative and Hospice Care 371
Sheilah A. Robertson and Bonnie D. Wright

25 When Pain Wins: End-of-Life Decision-Making 381
Mary Gardner

Reference 389
Index 390

is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and rehabilitation specialist who founded Canine Arthritis Resources and Education. She established the University of Florida Small Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, serves as faculty at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, and is past president of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians. She received the John J. Sherman Award for Excellence in Veterinary Rehabilitation in 2018 and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award in 2023.

 

is an experienced general practitioner veterinarian, award-winning online educator, international speaker, and founder of Canine Arthritis Management, an online multiplatform resource for caregivers and professionals. She received the CEVA Veterinary Welfare Award in 2019, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Impact Award in 2020, and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Welfare Award in 2025.