Professor and Director Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Coxofemoral joint (CFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) negatively impacts canine quality of life, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are a standard component of pain management. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that an NSAID administered once daily, carprofen, and one administered weekly, PAH-100, improves limb use in dogs with CFJ OA over no treatment. The study had Institutional Animal Care and Use committee approval. Nine dogs received 3 treatments for 7 days each, oral carprofen (4.4 mg/kg, q 24 hrs), oral PAH-100 (3 mg/kg), or no treatment, in random order with 28 days between. Radiographic CFJ OA was quantified as mild (1), moderate (2) or severe (3). From kinetic gait trials during study blocks, peak force and impulse of ground reaction forces (GRFs) and hind limb symmetry and weight distribution were quantified. Outcomes were compared among treatments (LS mean +/- SEM, p < 0.05). There were no detectable treatment adverse effects. A total of 3 dogs had mild, moderate, or severe OA. The GRFs were highest in dogs with moderate or severe OA with PAH-100 administration followed by carprofen. Hind limb symmetry was greatest with PAH-100 in dogs with mild OA, and weight distribution tended to be highest in dogs with moderate to severe OA. Results indicate better limb use in dogs with CFJ OA over a period of 7 days after PAH-100 administration versus carprofen or no treatment. Weekly administration of PAH-100 for canine CFJ OA may increase therapeutic options and improve treatment compliance.
