A Breakthrough for Canine Arthritis: The Power of Monoclonal Antibodies

Keeping arthritis under control

We understand that finding out your loyal companion has arthritis can come as a shock. Suddenly, you're faced with an uncertain future that involves managing your pet’s pain indefinitely. This is a disease that will not go away, and without treatment it can progress rapidly. Arthritis is common, however, so you're not alone. There are also many treatment options to choose from, which can keep your pup pain-free and comfortable, often for many years.

Successful management of arthritis will involve a combination of treatments including:

• Pain relief medication
• Physical therapies – Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and laser therapy
• Acupuncture
• Maintaining an ideal weight for your dog  
• Mobility diet
• Joint supplements
• Lifestyle changes

Medications are an important part of managing arthritis

Owners often ask their veterinarian, “Can I wait, and just start medication when my pet gets worse? My dog still wants to go for walks, would he do this if he was in pain? My dog is old now, so maybe he's just slowing down?”

We know that starting your pet on lifelong medication may sound daunting but, to successfully treat a sore dog, joint pain relief is most effective when started early. This will help slow down the progression of arthritis and keep your dog active.

Medication options include:

• Monoclonal antibodies
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Additional painkilling medications

These arthritis treatments for dogs can successfully keep arthritis at bay, but the recent addition of monoclonal antibodies to this list is the biggest game-changer. It has improved the future for many dogs and reduced the challenges associated with daily medication.

The excitement behind monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies have been used to treat many different conditions in people for years, so you may already be familiar with them. They differ from other medications, since they're natural proteins and not chemically produced. This changes how they are broken down by the body, which often makes them a suitable treatment for dogs with other health conditions. In fact, a recent study (Innes et al., 2025) showed monoclonal antibodies are as effective as more traditional drugs, but with fewer side effects.

So, you may be asking: how does this breakthrough treatment work? In arthritis, when a joint becomes inflamed, the body produces increased levels of "nerve growth factor". Nerve growth factor activates pain sensors, so it's a key player in the cause of joint pain. Monoclonal antibodies work by blocking nerve growth factor, which prevents pain sensors from activating, thereby reducing your pup’s pain levels.

Of course, not all dogs are suitable candidates for this treatment, so it’s important to discuss the most appropriate approach to your pup's condition with your veterinarian.

Long-standing arthritis treatment

You may already be familiar with giving non-steroidal anti-inflammatories to your dog, as they are commonly used to treat all types of inflammation, not just arthritis pain. They're a highly effective pain medication with good inflammation control in dogs, making them an essential component in arthritis treatment.

We understand that you may be reluctant and concerned to start your pet on long-term anti-inflammatories, especially if you've heard stories about their side effects. The truth is that, with careful use and regular monitoring by your veterinarian, any possible side effects like vomiting, diarrhea or kidney and liver changes can be minimized, while the benefits may be life changing for you and your pet.

Safely using anti-inflammatories:

• Stop using if your dog stops eating, starts vomiting or has diarrhea.
• Only give the dose prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Only use medication prescribed for your pet. Never give them human anti-inflammatories, many of which are toxic to dogs.
• Take your dog to your veterinarian for regular blood tests to ensure that any kidney or liver changes are detected early.

Sometimes, the type of anti-inflammatory you give may need to be adjusted, especially if you feel your dog’s pain is not being adequately controlled. Once your pup is on an effective treatment, they will soon be back to enjoying their walks.

Multimodal treatment of arthritis

Unfortunately, as arthritis progresses for your dog, the use of any single treatment alone is unlikely to be sufficient. At this stage, your veterinarian may recommend adding additional pain relief to improve your pet’s quality of life.

There are several different pain relief options, including paracetamol, gabapentin, tramadol and amantadine, but the combination used by your veterinarian will depend on your dog’s individual needs. As hard as it is to admit that your dog is starting to struggle, exploring other pain relief options at the earliest opportunity will help preserve your dog’s mobility, so you can continue enjoying your time together for as long as possible.

Arthritis can be a distressing diagnosis to receive, and the lack of a cure may leave you feeling helpless. With early intervention, however, it's a condition that can be well managed, usually for a long time. With monoclonal antibodies, your veterinarian has a new and exciting treatment option that may help your arthritic pup stay more mobile and comfortable, so you can enjoy a brighter future, together.