Canine Arthritis Matters

Episode summary
In this heartfelt episode, Hannah Capon is joined by veterinary rehabilitation specialist Dr Jane White to discuss life with a disabled dog and the lessons she's learned through caring for her own Border Collie, Drift, following a devastating spinal cord injury. Jane shares how her personal experience transformed her perspective as a veterinary professional, highlighting the emotional challenges, practical adaptations and mindset shifts that come with caring for a mobility-impaired dog.
Together, they explore how many of these lessons apply equally to dogs living with arthritis—from adapting the home environment and maintaining quality of life to managing caregiver guilt and recognising that every dog’s journey is unique. The conversation also tackles difficult topics such as incontinence, rehabilitation, end-of-life decisions and the importance of building a trusted support team. Ultimately, this episode is a compassionate reminder that while life with a disabled or arthritic dog may look different, it can still be full of joy, purpose and meaningful moments.
Recourses
Visit Jane’s website and buy a copy of Loving Life With A Disabled Dog
Pepper’s Place - wheelchairs and support for disabled dogs
5 Key Take-Home Points
Don’t focus on what your dog has lost - focus on what they can still enjoy

Adapt your dogs environment to make daily life easier and safer

If you have to take an activity away, replace it with something equally as rewarding

Be kind to yourself - there’s no perfect way to care for a disabled dog

Review, reassess and adapt regularly - small changes can make a big difference

Speaker bio
Dr Jane White is a veterinary surgeon with over 35 years of experience and a passion for rehabilitation, mobility and improving quality of life for dogs and cats. She holds advanced qualifications in feline medicine, behaviour, veterinary physiotherapy and canine rehabilitation, and has extensive experience in hydrotherapy and acupuncture. Jane is also a committee member of the British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association. Following a life-changing spinal injury suffered by her own Border Collie, Drift, she wrote Loving Life with a Disabled Dog, sharing practical advice and emotional support for caregivers. Jane is dedicated to helping owners navigate mobility challenges with confidence, compassion and hope.

Learn more about CAM
CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet
Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast
Socials for Professionals:
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Socials for Caregivers:
Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army
Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk

In this episode, Hannah is joined by Lucy Goodright, an experienced McTimoney chiropractor and manual therapist, to explore the role of complementary therapies in supporting dogs with osteoarthritis. Together, they discuss how chiropractic care, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and other manual therapies can fit within a truly multimodal approach to arthritis management. Rather than promoting any single treatment as a cure, the conversation focuses on collaboration, realistic expectations, and empowering caregivers to make informed decisions. They examine the current evidence for manual therapies, why research remains limited, and the importance of using appropriately qualified, regulated practitioners who work closely with veterinary teams. The episode also highlights the value of environmental adaptations, careful observation, compassionate communication and setting measurable goals when introducing any new intervention. Ultimately, Hannah and Lucy emphasise that every dog is an individual, successful arthritis management requires teamwork, and maintaining quality of life depends on combining evidence-based medicine with thoughtful, personalised care.
References:
Find Lucy online at AnimalSpine.com
Visit the McTimony Animal Association here or Discover MAA Research
Animal Health Proffesions' Register (AHPR)
Visit RAMP - Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners
PainScience.Com
5 Key Take-Home Points
There is no one-size-fits-all solution—arthritis management should always be tailored to the individual dog.

Choose qualified professionals who are appropriately trained, insured and willing to work alongside your veterinary team.

Set realistic expectations and regularly review whether a treatment is genuinely helping.

Small lifestyle changes matter, including home adaptations, weight management and environmental modifications.

Communication and collaboration are key—the best outcomes come when caregivers, vets and therapists work together towards shared goals.

Learn more about CAM
CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet
Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast
Socials for Professionals:
Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram
Socials for Caregivers:
Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army
Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk
Join us in August for “Pain Medications” month!

In this episode, Dr Michele Broadhurst shares her integrative approach to managing osteoarthritis and chronic pain in dogs, drawing on her expertise in chiropractic, rehabilitation, dry needling, and myofascial therapy. She explains why successful treatment requires looking beyond the affected joint to consider the whole patient, including movement, inflammation, gut health, and lifestyle. Michele and Hannah discuss the importance of early intervention, collaborative multidisciplinary care, realistic home exercise programmes, and empowering owners to make simple but meaningful changes. Together, they highlight that while osteoarthritis cannot be cured, a proactive, multimodal approach can dramatically improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Guest Bio:
Dr Broadhurst graduated from Chiropractic college in South Africa in 2003 and as a Certified Sports Chiropractor in 2004. Michele is also certified with the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Being the first certified animal chiropractor in South Africa Michele built a very successful large and small animal practice specializing in animal chiropractic, dry needling and rehabilitation. 
Dr Broadhurst and her husband owned and ran a human chiropractic and multidisciplinary clinic for 15 years and she is now co-medical director of an integrative veterinary clinic in Dallas Texas. She is published in several medical journals and lectures both nationally and internationally on the subject of myofascial pain in animals.
Referenced Links:
Integrative Animal Solutions
Rehab4Pets
International Veterinary Chiropractic Association
5 Key Take Home Points:
Osteoarthritis is a whole-body condition—successful management goes far beyond treating the affected joint.

Small, consistent changes at home can make a bigger difference than complicated treatment plans.

Movement is medicine—keeping dogs active in the right way helps maintain strength, confidence, and function.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach; every dog needs an individualised management plan.

The best outcomes come from teamwork between owners, vets, and rehabilitation professionals.

Learn more about CAM
CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet
Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast
Socials for Professionals:
Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram
Socials for Caregivers:
Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army
Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk
Join us next week for the final episode of the “Complementary Therapies” chapter!

Can orthotic braces help dogs with osteoarthritis live more comfortably and stay active? In this episode, Hannah is joined by veterinary physiotherapist and hydrotherapist Lizzie Oselton to explore the growing role of canine orthotics in arthritis management. Lizzie explains how modern custom-made braces are designed to improve joint stability, support functional movement and reduce abnormal loading, rather than simply immobilising joints. Together, they discuss which dogs are most likely to benefit, how braces are fitted, common misconceptions, and why orthotics should always form part of a wider management plan alongside weight control, pain relief, physiotherapy and environmental adaptations. They also explore the current evidence, the importance of realistic expectations, and why personalised treatment is essential. Packed with practical advice for both veterinary professionals and dedicated caregivers, this episode offers an accessible introduction to an exciting area of rehabilitation medicine that aims to keep arthritic dogs moving safely for longer.
Guest Bio:
Lizzie Oselton, BSc (Hons) Equine Management, MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy,, is a veterinary physiotherapist based on the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire borders. She runs Meadowside Vet Physio, providing mobile veterinary physiotherapy for horses and dogs alongside a veterinary physiotherapy clinic within a small-animal veterinary practice in Wisbech. 
Lizzie also holds a Level 4 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy.
Her interest in canine orthotics developed through treating dogs with osteoarthritis, where maintaining movement is central to long-term management. She sees orthotic support as another tool to help appropriate patients remain active, comfortable and engaged in rehabilitation as part of a multimodal treatment approach.

Referenced links:
Visit Lizzie’s Facebook page here Meadowside Vet Physio
Learn more about Wimba
Download the Wimba free case consult app on GooglePlay or Apple
Read Bernie’s detailed case study here

5 Key Take Home Points
Orthotics support movement and joint stability—they don't cure arthritis or replace pain relief.

The best outcomes come when braces are combined with physiotherapy, weight management and veterinary care.

Every brace should be custom-fitted and prescribed for the individual dog.

Protecting function is just as important as managing pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Small changes at home and tailored exercise can make a big difference to long-term mobility and quality of life.

More about CAM
CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet
Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast
Socials for Professionals:
Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram
Socials for Caregivers:
Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army
Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk
Join us next week for more on complimentary therapies!

Communication is one of the most important tools in successful OA management. In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah is joined by registered veterinary nurse and veterinary education specialist Jessica Woolrich from VetLed to explore how better communication can strengthen relationships between caregivers, veterinary professionals and allied teams.
Together, they discuss why communication is about far more than simply sharing information. From listening and building trust to navigating difficult conversations, Jess shares practical tips for creating genuine partnerships that improve long-term care for dogs living with chronic pain.
Using real-life scenarios from practice, the conversation explores what happens when caregivers leave consultations feeling overwhelmed, why second conversations matter, and how curiosity can help overcome barriers to understanding. Whether you're a caregiver or a veterinary professional, this episode offers simple, practical insights into communicating with confidence and compassion to achieve the best outcomes for dogs with osteoarthritis.
Visit the VetLed website: Vetled
Or contact Jess on jess@vetled.co.uk

Learn more about CAM
CAM website - CAM Education Centre - The Pain Vet
Chronic Pain Symposium - CAM Shop - CAM Podcast
Socials for Professionals:
Facebook pro - LinkedIn - Instagram
Socials for Caregivers:
Facebook - Instagram - Holly's Army
Have questions send them to: podcast@caninearthritis.co.uk
Join us next week for the complementary therapies series!