About Canine Osteoarthritis
This condition is referred to as canine osteoarthritis, or just OA. This condition is very common. In fact, roughly 25% of all adult dogs in the US have OA, or about 1 in 4.
If OA isn’t treated effectively, it can cause your dog pain. Injury, malformation of the joint, previous trauma and/or surgery are causes for OA which results in inflammation in the joint and this inflammation causes constant pain. This pain can significantly affect your dog’s quality of life, resulting in:
- Difficulty going up and down stairs
- Struggling to get up after lying down
- Trouble walking on slick floors
- Problems hopping in and out of vehicles
- Slowing down on walks
- Behavioral changes (e.g., aggression, difficulty squatting to toilet)
Animal Hospital of Dauphin County can help address your dog’s pain and mobility issues through this new breakthrough treatment. Synovetin OA® can: reduce inflammation and pain, provide long-lasting relief, and improve your dog’s mobility.
Synovetin OA® (sin-OH-vuh-tin OA) is a new approach to treating elbow OA. This treatment requires just one minimally-invasive injection that lasts for up to one full year and has been proven effective in the treatment of dogs with elbow osteoarthritis (OA).
Canine Arthritis Management
Ways We Can Help Your Pet Keep Their Paws In Motion:
- Weight management
- Pain medication consultation
- Targeted joint therapy: Synovetin OA®, PRP, ArthramidVet, Shockwave therapy
Dr. Jennifer Fletcher Eckenrode is now performing this procedure at the Animal Hospital of Dauphin County. Please call our team at (717) 652-1270, option 4, ext. 4512 or email rehab@ahdcvets.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eckenrode to discuss your dog’s mobility issues.
Joint Injection
Synovetin OA is a radiotherapeutic that is an injection of a radioactive form of tin. This is engulfed by inflammatory cells and inflamed joint lining causing cell death and a reduction to cessation of inflammation in the joint. Dogs who respond well to this treatment can see improvement for up to 12 months. There is a 92% success rate in mild to moderate elbow arthritis and 72% success rate in severe arthritis. Please see synovetin.com for more information.
If you are interested in this treatment, we would first go through a screening questionnaire. We will discuss post treatment distance restrictions that may impact your pet for 2-3 weeks.
Platelet Rich Plasma (Joint Injection)
Injects proteins and anti-inflammatory components of the patient’s blood that can modulate the inflammatory process in a joint. It can decrease the amount of inflammation as well as aid in more blood flow to the joint.
A series of injections is usually needed in severe arthritis (2-3 injections per joint spaced every 2-3 weeks). Mild cases of arthritis can see results after one injection. Patients can see relief for close to 6-9 months! Hyaluronic acid can also be added to the PRP to help with the joint range of motion.
Steroids/Hyaluronic Acid (Joint Injection)
Hyaluronic acid is essentially a product that is similar to joint fluid. It is injected to give the joint a smoother range of motion and can aid in keeping a steroid that has also been injected in the joint for a longer period of time.
Steroids are potent and can decrease pain/inflammation lasting for weeks to months. This treatment is often reserved for patients with severe arthritis that did not see result from PRP. We are limited to injecting a joint with steroids 4 times in a 12-month period as steroids can degrade any cartilage that is left in the joint.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (Non-Invasive Soundwave Therapy)
Shockwave therapy for dogs involves using acoustic waves to stimulate healing in tissues. It promotes blood flow, reduces inflammation, and accelerates the natural healing process.
The benefits include:
- Pain relief.
- Improved mobility.
- Enhanced recovery from conditions like arthritis or musculoskeletal injuries such as tendinitis or chronic tendinopathy.
We Care About You And Your Pet
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Caring for pets since 1962.
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Unparalleled medical care in a compassionate atmosphere.
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We listen and partner with you to provide the best care for your pet.
Caring for Furry Friends!
Harrisburg
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Linglestown
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Mon – Fri: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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