Canine Arthritis Matters

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon is joined by Dr James Guthrie, one of the UK's few specialists qualified in both small animal surgery and canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. Together they explore the current realities of managing canine osteoarthritis, discussing why there is still no cure, the importance of earlier diagnosis, and why treatment decisions should focus on the individual joint, the whole dog, and the family caring for them. James explains the latest surgical options, including joint replacements, arthrodesis and minimally invasive procedures, while highlighting the growing role of regenerative medicine, rehabilitation and conservative management. Through practical case discussions, the conversation tackles difficult clinical decision-making, ethical considerations, and the value of combining surgery with exercise, pain management and lifestyle changes. The episode offers an honest, balanced look at modern osteoarthritis care and reinforces the importance of teamwork, realistic expectations and personalised treatment plans. Packed with practical insights, this episode offers an up-to-date look at managing canine osteoarthritis with compassion and realism from an expert surgeon.
References:
ExamVet is a personalized, one-to-one coaching service created by Dr. James Guthrie to help veterinarians and veterinary students pass professional board exams, residency evaluations, and school tests on their first attempt.
Visit James at Fitzpatrick Referrals
5 Key Take-Home Points
Early intervention offers the best chance of slowing osteoarthritis progression.

Surgery works best as part of a multimodal treatment plan, not in isolation.

Every treatment decision should consider the joint, the dog and the family.

Rehabilitation should be proactive, structured and intensive—not an afterthought.

Quality of life should always guide treatment choices, even when conversations are difficult.

Guest bio:
Dr. James Guthrie is one of the UK's leading veterinary surgeons, uniquely holding specialist qualifications in both small animal surgery and canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. Working at Fitzpatrick Referrals, he has a particular interest in minimally invasive surgery, regenerative medicine and helping dogs achieve the best possible outcomes through a combination of surgery and rehabilitation. Alongside his clinical work, James teaches, lectures internationally and mentors the next generation of veterinary specialists.
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 first episode of the intra-articular series, Hannah is joined by Dr João Alves to explore intra-articular approaches to canine osteoarthritis and how first-opinion practitioners can confidently bring more targeted treatment into everyday practice. They discuss why early identification and treatment of painful joints may be preferable to waiting until disease is advanced, while emphasising the importance of accurate diagnosis and imaging. João explains how local blocks and mesotherapy can help identify pain-generating joints before committing to more invasive or expensive interventions. The conversation covers corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, PRP, regenerative medicine and gels, alongside the practical considerations of cost, availability, sedation and treatment protocols. A major theme is managing uncertainty: not every treatment will work for every dog, and plans may need to change. Crucially, the episode highlights communication, realistic expectations, objective monitoring and long-term collaboration with caregivers. The overall message is encouraging: practitioners do not need every available option to start doing more.
Links
Connect with Dr Joao Alves on LinkedIn
5 Key Take Home Points
Treat the painful joint, not just the X-ray.

Early, targeted intervention may offer better opportunities.

Use diagnosis and imaging to guide treatment decisions.

Set realistic expectations—no treatment works for every dog.

Good communication and monitoring are essential.

Guest bio
João Alves graduated from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2012 and has since worked at the Guarda Nacional Republicana (Portuguese Gendarmerie) with their police working dogs, focusing on sports medicine and rehabilitation, helping these animals to achieve their full potential.
He completed his PhD in 2021 from the University of Évora, Portugal, in intra-articular management modalities for osteoarthritis. In 2022, he became a European Specialist in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Diplomate of the European College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation - Small Animals; DECVSMR).
In addition to osteoarthritis, he conducts research and is interested in working dog sports medicine, photobiomodulation therapy, and canine exercise. João has published dozens of papers and chapters and frequently lectures on these topics.
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 to hear a surgeons perspective on OA with JAmes Guthrie!

Dr James Hunt returns to chat about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the last episode in the “Pain Medications” series. NSAIDs often get bad press so we asked James to come and clarify some of the facts from the misinformation. He and Hannah explain what NSAIDs are and how they work, adverse events and how to report them and ways to use these drugs as safely as possible.
References
Vitis Dr Hunt’s Pet Pain Relief pain management clinic here
Dr Hunt’s article An analysis of the relative frequencies of reported adverse events associated with NSAID administration in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom
and the article Hannah mentioned is here
Guest bio:
Dr James Hunt qualified in 1998 from RVC with a strong interest in pain management and worked in mixed practice for six years while completing the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia. Following this he moved into small animal practice for a further six years, at which time the opportunity arose to undertake an MSc by research at the University of Bristol, investigating perioperative sedation and analgesia in dogs and cats. Enjoying the world of research, he continued at the University of Bristol for a further six years, including working on a 3-year research project investigating pain mechanisms in pet dogs with osteoarthritis. In 2017 he joined the anaesthesia department at a referral hospital in Somerset seeing cases for chronic pain management consultations. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine, and contributed to the chapter on chronic and osteoarthritic pain in the BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice.
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
Listen in next week when the new series “Intra-articular and injectable treatments” begins!

In this fascinating episode, Hannah Capon is joined by Professor Rodrigo Mencalha, one of Brazil's leading experts in veterinary chronic pain management. Together they explore why osteoarthritis pain is far more complex than simply "wear and tear" and discuss how understanding different pain phenotypes can transform the way we treat dogs with chronic pain.
Rodrigo explains why pain management should always be evidence-based, combining scientific research, clinical experience and the goals of each caregiver. He challenges the overuse of medications such as gabapentin, highlights the importance of recognising pain early, and explains why many dogs require an individualised, multimodal treatment plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The conversation also covers pain assessment tools, central sensitisation, regenerative therapies, rehabilitation and the vital role caregivers play in monitoring their dog's progress. This episode is packed with practical insights that will change the way you think about osteoarthritis and chronic pain in dogs.
References
Visit Professor Rodrigo’s Learning Platform here
Follow Prof. Rodrigo on Instagram and LinkedIn
5 Key Take-Home Points
Chronic pain is complex—every dog needs an individualised treatment plan.

Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

Osteoarthritis pain isn't just in the joints; the nervous system plays a major role.

Regular pain assessments help guide better treatment decisions.

Managing chronic pain successfully requires a multimodal approach, combining medication, rehabilitation, weight management and caregiver education.

Guest Bio:
Professor Rodrigo Mencalha is a veterinarian specialising in anaesthesiology, pain medicine and veterinary neurology, with a clinical focus on chronic pain management and musculoskeletal health. Based in Brazil, he holds a Master's and PhD in neuroscience and pain management in dogs and cats and has dedicated the past 15 years to advancing veterinary pain medicine. Rodrigo is the author of leading textbooks on chronic pain, coordinates postgraduate programmes in chronic musculoskeletal pain, regenerative medicine and rehabilitation, and founded the Veterinary Medicine Without Pain Project, which has trained thousands of veterinarians across Latin America and Europe. An internationally respected speaker and educator, Rodrigo is passionate about improving the recognition, assessment and treatment of chronic pain to enhance the quality of life of dogs and cats.
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 out 100th episode with Dr Alex Avery!

This weeks episode features a replay from a 2022 discussion between Dr Hannah Capon and veterinary pain specialist Dr Matt Gurney. Together they explore what the "perfect" arthritis medication would look like—and whether one actually exists. They explain why chronic pain is far more complex than most people realise, highlighting how pain travels through the body and why no single medication can target every stage of the pain pathway. Instead, they discuss the importance of a multimodal approach, combining appropriate medication with weight management, physiotherapy, exercise modification and regular monitoring. The conversation also tackles common owner concerns around long-term medication, safety, side effects and the evidence behind licensed arthritis treatments. Hannah and Matt explain how veterinary drugs are tested, monitored and chosen, while emphasising that early intervention is key to preventing pain from becoming harder to control. This episode provides practical, evidence-based advice to help owners feel more confident when making decisions about managing their dog's arthritis.
References
Visit Zero Pain Philosophy, the leading veterinary education site for acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats.
Matt is currently the Veterinary Lad at Pawra, an expert canine wellness clinic in Chiswick, London
5 Key Take-Home Points
No single medication treats every aspect of arthritis pain—multimodal management works best.

Early diagnosis and treatment can make arthritis easier to manage long term.

Medication is only one part of treatment alongside weight control, physiotherapy and exercise management.

Licensed arthritis medications undergo rigorous testing and ongoing safety monitoring.

The best treatment plan is the one that is effective, safe and practical for both the dog and owner.

Guest bio:
Dr Matt Gurney is a European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, with a particular passion for chronic pain management. Matt is also a co-founder of Zero Pain Philosophy, an educational platform dedicated to improving pain recognition and management within the veterinary profession. A respected international speaker, educator and researcher, he is committed to advancing evidence-based pain management and empowering both veterinary professionals and pet owners with practical, compassionate advice to help animals live happier, more comfortable lives. Matt is currently the Veterinary Lead at Pawra, a brand new canine wellness clinic based in London.
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 second instalment in the August theme of “Pain Medications”.