As veterinary professionals, a proactive client education and management approach can profoundly improve the quality and healthspan of our patients’ lives, starting in puppyhood and continuing through end-of-life care.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of chronic pain, affecting at least 1 in 5 dogs and 40% to 90% of cats during their lifetime.

 Yet, many cases remain undiagnosed, as clients often mistake subtle signs of discomfort for normal aging. Early symptoms, such as reluctance to exercise, difficulty rising, or behavioral changes, can be easily overlooked, leading to delayed intervention and unnecessary suffering. The consequences are significant: chronic pain, reduced mobility, muscle atrophy, weight gain, and a diminished quality of life, sometimes culminating in euthanasia sooner than would have been necessary with appropriate treatment.

Working exclusively in end-of-life care, Caring Pathways professionals have seen an overwhelming number of families who would have benefited from more extensive discussions regarding arthritis management in the early stages of the disease. Importantly, OA can affect dogs and cats of all ages, not just seniors, with a notable proportion of young dogs already showing radiographic evidence of disease.

Veterinary teams are uniquely positioned to make a difference. Early detection and intervention are critical, as OA is a degenerative, incurable disease that can only be managed, not reversed. We can slow disease progression and maximize comfort by routinely assessing mobility, educating clients about early warning signs, and implementing individualized, multimodal management plans.

 Client education is paramount, and owners need guidance to recognize subtle behavioral changes and understand that early treatment can prolong their pet’s active years. Veterinary professionals must confidently communicate the prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies for OA, ensuring that pain and mobility are treated as vital signs during every exam.

Encouraging pet families to begin targeted exercise routines, focused on balance and strength, and training pets to accept mobility aids—especially ramps and mobility aid harnesses—before those pets begin experiencing significant pain, would alleviate many struggles families face in the later years of their pet's life. Utilizing species-specific disease screening tools, validated pain scales, and quality-of-life tools can help facilitate conversation and collaboration between clients and veterinary teams.

Founded by Hannah Capon, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) is an educational initiative dedicated to transforming the way arthritis is recognized and managed in dogs. CAM’s mission is to provide education and support to both professionals and caregivers, promoting early identification and evidence-based, multimodal management of OA.

Practical guides for diagnosis and long-term management

Educational talks, webinars, and professional development

Teleguidance services for tailored case support

A strong advocacy for changing perceptions of pain and OA in dogs

CAM’s vision is to reduce unnecessary suffering and delay elective euthanasia by fostering a collaborative approach between veterinary professionals and caregivers, ensuring dogs live longer, more comfortable lives.

Founded by Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE) provides free, expert-developed resources for both clients and veterinary professionals.

CARE’s offerings include the following:

Articles, videos, and exercises to aid in early detection and management

Tools, forms, and educational materials for clinical use

RACE-approved on-demand webinars for vets and technicians on how to diagnose and manage OA

A bridge between knowledge and action, empowering veterinarians to deliver comprehensive OA care even beyond the exam room

CARE’s resources help veterinary teams continue the OA conversation with clients, supporting evidence-guided treatment and encouraging proactive management to keep dogs active and thriving.

Arthritis awareness is not a 1-month campaign—it is an ongoing commitment to elevating the standard of care for our canine patients. By leveraging the expertise and resources of groups like CAM and CARE, veterinary professionals can achieve the following:

Stay updated on best practices and consensus guidelines for OA management

Equip clients with the knowledge to recognize pain early and seek timely intervention

Educate clients on at-home training and exercise tools to help prepare for a possible arthritis diagnosis

Foster a collaborative, supportive environment for lifelong canine health

Let’s champion arthritis awareness in our practices—not just in May but every day. Together, we can give dogs more years of comfort, mobility, and joy.

Johnston SA. Osteoarthritis. Joint anatomy, physiology, and pathobiology. 

. 1997;27(4):699-723. doi:10.1016/s0195-5616(97)50076-3

Slingerland LI, Hazewinkel HA, Meij BP, Picavet P, Voorhout G. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats. 

. 2011;187(3):304-309. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.12.014

Lascelles BD, Henry JB 3rd, Brown J, et al. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of radiographic degenerative joint disease in domesticated cats. 

. 2010;39(5):535-544. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00708.x

Enomoto M, de Castro N, Hash J, et al. Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs. 

. 2024;14(1):2827. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52324-9

Cachon T, Frykman O, Innes JF, et al. COAST Development Group's international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. 

. 2023;10:1137888. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1137888

Articles

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is a good time to review our approach to this common diagnosis in small animals.

Raising the standard: Arthritis awareness in veterinary practice

In modern veterinary practices, where stakes are high and time is scarce, productivity and efficiency are more important than ever. Many practices are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools for support. But with AI evolving rapidly, will it eventually replace veterinary staff members?

The human touch is central to veterinary care. AI is best used to augment

human effort, not replace it. When thoughtfully integrated, AI can streamline operations, reduce cognitive load, and improve client service, all while empowering veterinary teams to do more of what they do best: deliver compassionate, hands-on care.

Augmenting multiple roles in the practice

AI can be a powerful tool to use across the entire veterinary practice, from the reception desk to the exam room.

 benefit from AI-powered diagnostic support tools such as 

 that analyze imaging and lab results, flagging potential abnormalities. These tools help speed up diagnosis and reduce oversight, but they don’t replace the clinician’s judgment—they enhance it. Think of AI as a second pair of eyes (that don’t get tired).



 can save time with AI scribe tools like 

 that record patient exams and then automatically complete SOAP notes and electronic medical records. By automating documentation, these scribe tools free up staff to focus more on the client and patient during the appointment and save hours each day that were once devoted to medical documentation. Some of these AI scribe tools even produce accurate patient dental charts, which is a huge time-saver.



 can rely on AI tools like AVA Petpawer to handle appointment scheduling, prescription refill requests, and routine questions. This reduces phone traffic and allows front desk teams to focus on more nuanced, customer-facing tasks that only humans can do.



 can harness the increased productivity that AI generates for their teams by opening up additional appointments, reducing overtime, and boosting the overall well-being of the veterinary staff. When patients are taken care of, medical notes are done, and scheduling is smooth, the whole clinic can function more efficiently.



The human element: Where AI cannot compete

Despite its speed and data-handling superpowers, AI can’t replicate the emotional intelligence, intuition, or human connection that defines veterinary care. Comforting an anxious client, assessing subtle behavioral cues, and making ethical decisions are all inherently human tasks. In fact, AI’s presence in the clinic can increase the need for skilled, empathetic veterinary professionals because more efficient clinics can typically see more patients each day.

Some practices have been able to reduce the time spent on medical records and the length of appointments, increasing the number of patients that can be seen. Fillmore Animal Hospital in California used this strategy and was able to increase revenue despite a staff shortage and reduced clinic hours.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, but AI isn’t magic. Just like any other tool, the value of AI depends on how it’s used. Practices adopting AI should set clear goals: Are you looking to improve appointment flow? Save time on SOAP documentation? Reduce burnout? Speed up diagnostics? Aligning AI solutions with practice needs ensures meaningful results.

It’s also essential to invest in training. Staff members need to understand what AI can (and cannot) do and how to use it effectively. The most successful practices treat AI as a team member that requires oversight, feedback, and updates.

AI isn’t the end of veterinary jobs; it’s the evolution of how we practice medicine. By taking over the time-consuming, repetitive, or data-heavy tasks such as SOAP notes and medical documentation, AI allows veterinary professionals to operate at the top of their licenses, focus on patient care, and find more balance in their workday. AI isn't replacing the team; it’s releasing them so they can focus on the heart of veterinary medicine.

is a practicing relief veterinarian and lead veterinarian at 

, an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe for veterinary professionals. She leverages her experience across diverse clinics to design prompts and fine-tune tools for clinical accuracy, driving real-world AI scribe adoption in veterinary practice.

Technology cannot replicate humans’ emotional intelligence.

How AI can boost productivity without replacing staff

, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology), to chat about all things artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, Pinard and Christman explore the benefits of AI in the veterinary industry, including how it can revolutionize veterinary practices for patients and staff, Pinard's journey into the world of AI, and more on his life as the CEO and cofounder of ANI.ML Health Inc. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

: So, you're a veterinary oncologist; tell us and the listeners a little bit about your background and how you got into...veterinary oncology, and then how that translated a little bit over into the AI space.

Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology): 

I'm a [professor at the] University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College—born and bred right from the beginning. I actually did my undergrad there, my DVM there, and then I went to Colorado State University for a clinical trial specialty internship and did a lot of work with the team there, working with some of the human hospitals as well, looking at a lot of translational oncology, which was super fun. 

Honestly, what got me into oncology in the first place is really my wife and I. Our own dog developed cancer, and that really piqued my interest during my second year of veterinary school... I've been full tilt ever since. So I went back to the University of Guelph for my residency [and] worked with Dr Sam Hawker as my adviser, and Dr Paul Woods. We...all worked on this idea of immuno-oncology, or how the immune system interacts with tumors. 

Then I had this great opportunity after meeting a few colleagues in the area, here in Toronto, which has really become a big AI hot spot, at least in the Canadian realm, at Sunnybrook Research Institute, which is a human hospital and a subsidiary of the University of Toronto. I got to do a postdoctoral fellowship looking at AI and women with breast cancer, and we wrote a paper on some translational approaches back into the veterinary space and vice versa. So again, how veterinary medicine can be this innovative space to iterate [and] develop not only drugs but [also] now AI technologies and translate back to humans, and how we're going to be able to do that in the future. That really started everything in terms of my entire research program, as well as the projects that we're working on. And then now the company that we've started as well, which is heavily focused on research as well in the AI space, the veterinary AI space specifically.

Podcasts

Do you have AI literacy? If not, Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology), and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, are here to educate you on the power of AI in veterinary medicine.

AI literacy for veterinarians: Why staying informed matters

Royal Canin is expanding its manufacturing capacity with a new, $450-million factory in Lewisburg, Ohio. The 450,000 sq ft facility is expected to produce dry pet food that can feed 4 million cats and dogs annually.

According to Daryn Brown, regional president at Royal Canin North America, the new factory reflects pet nutrition industry growth as well as evolving needs for pets and their owners. "We're proud to expand and scale our capabilities to provide tailored nutrition to our North American market and continue expanding our presence within Lewisburg and Preble County,” Brown said in a news release.

Using standardized systems and process designs, the new facility is able to replicate the precise nutrition in Royal Canin’s products. As the largest dry pet food manufacturing facility for Royal Canin, the site has the capability to fully produce the brand’s regional dry kibble portfolio.

“Over the last 5 years, we invested over $6 billion in the US, and we plan to continue to grow our ability to supply the domestic market. The Royal Canin facility in Lewisburg provides an important opportunity to further Mars science-based innovation while supporting a community of people and pets that has long been a part of the Mars family," Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated, Royal Canin's parent company, said in a news release.

The facility has also earned a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, according to Mars.

 The achievement reflects the company’s global sustainability initiative, which includes the use of renewable electricity through a company-funded wind farm in Illinois.

“We have been able to source renewable electricity for our 2000 pet hospitals across the US, and that's including Banfield, BluePearl, and VCA [networks]. They are all now sourcing clean, renewable electricity, and that's helped to reduce a good portion of our greenhouse gas emissions. We've brought online all of our Linnaeus clinics in the UK with renewable electricity as well,” Margo Mosher, global head of sustainability for Mars Veterinary Health, said in a 

 interview at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Mars currently employs more than 70,000 associates in factories, veterinary clinics, laboratories, and offices across the US. The new manufacturing facility in Ohio is expected to create up to 270 more full-time jobs over a 5-year period. According to Weihrauch, the investment represents a milestone for Mars in its commitment to US-based manufacturing.

"The decision by Royal Canin and parent company Mars to locate in Ohio represents a significant vote of confidence in Ohio's business environment, our talented, highly trained workforce, and our outstanding quality of life," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a news release.

 "We are pleased that Royal Canin is locating in Lewisburg, and we look forward to partnering with them as they succeed in Ohio, the heart of it all."

Mars builds on long-term US investment with the opening of new $450 million Royal Canin facility in Ohio. News release. Mars, Incorporated. May 14, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mars-builds-on-long-term-us-investment-with-the-opening-of-new-450-million-royal-canin-facility-in-ohio-302454689.html

Coppock K, Mosher M. Powering veterinary medicine with renewable electricity. 

. April 18, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/powering-veterinary-medicine-with-renewable-energy

The facility is a $450-million investment for parent company Mars, Incorporated.

New factory expands pet food manufacturing for Royal Canin 

Randy and Giselle Winters of Deerfield Beach, Florida, obtained some reef fish from the Bahamas and decided to grill it for their family. The duo feeds Love Bug, their 6-lb Chihuahua, and Honey Bear, their older Pekingese, a mostly fresh-food diet, such as chicken, rice, and potatoes. To them, the fish scraps were a special treat for the 2 dogs. However, the fish that the Winters prepared was contaminated with ciguatoxin, which causes ciguatera poisoning.

According to a release from Pet Poison Helpline, ciguatoxin is a neurotoxin that alters nervous system function. The toxin is produced by dinoflagellates, marine algae that grow in and around coral reefs. Smaller fish ingest these algae, which are then eaten by larger, commercially important species such as grouper and snapper. Ciguatoxin is harmless to fish but poisonous to people and their pets.

Love Bug in the oxygen box after ingesting reef fish contaminated with ciguatoxin (image courtesy of Pet Poison Helpline)

"Pets are severely impacted by ingesting ciguatoxin," Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said in the organizational release. "If humans eat fish contaminated with ciguatoxin, it can affect their digestive and nervous systems and, in severe cases, their cardiovascular system."

Ashley Brown, PharmD, CSPI, senior clinical toxicologist and manager of clinical toxicology for SafetyCall (human side), explained that it is impossible to determine whether a fish is contaminated because ciguatoxin does not change the fish’s appearance, odor, or taste. It can affect people whether the fish is fresh or previously frozen, and it is heat-stable, meaning cooking does not destroy the toxin.

Once everyone ate the contaminated fish, they began exhibiting symptoms including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. The human family members went to the emergency department for treatment, and the dogs were taken to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after they continued to show symptoms.

"Although ciguatera poisoning isn't typically fatal in humans, anyone who has ingested the toxin should seek emergency care immediately to prevent serious complications," Schmid said. "Because of their small size, Love Bug and Honey Bear were impacted far more severely. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, they became lethargic; Love Bug was unable to stand, [was] disoriented, and exhibited labored breathing."

Love Bug and Honey Bear both received intravenous fluids and antibiotics and were kept overnight for observation. Because of her smaller size, Love Bug’s reaction was more severe, so she was placed in an oxygen chamber and given specific medications to address neurologic signs. She remained hospitalized for several additional days. When both pets returned home, they required continued nursing care until their symptoms fully resolved.

"Their loss of appetite was so severe that we had to feed them with syringes," Randy Winters said. "Fortunately, the dogs’ symptoms cleared up after a few weeks. My wife and I, however, experienced lingering neurological effects for 6 months—continued body aches and temperature reversals (cold feeling hot). We were placed on a strict diet, including no alcohol."

Patients may also present with muscle and joint pain, temperature reversal, and unique sensations such as a metallic taste, loose or painful teeth, or skin paresthesias. These symptoms can last for weeks to months and may reappear if patients consume certain foods or drinks, such as nuts, fish oils, or alcohol.

According to Schmid, cats are even more sensitive to ciguatera poisoning and can serve as sentinel species for human risk, often becoming ill more quickly and after ingesting smaller amounts of toxins.

"My heart goes out to our furry girls, Love Bug and Honey Bear, who endured this pain without the ability to express it," Giselle Winters said. "I feared we would lose Love Bug—she dropped to just 3.2 lb after the oxygen chamber, losing nearly half her body weight. Thankfully, both dogs have fully recovered and are enjoying life as usual, thanks to the incredible medical care they received."

Entire family, dogs included, poisoned by reef fish. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. May 14, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entire-family-dogs-included-poisoned-by-reef-fish-302454493.html

Pet Poison Helpline's recent installment of Toxin Tails shared the story of the Winters family, who all—including their 2 dogs—were diagnosed with ciguatera poisoning.

Toxin for one, toxin for all

Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, shares 2 simple movements to support physical alignment, nervous system activation, and mental focus during busy clinic days.

Wellness Tip of the Week: Quick exercises for mobility and posture

In last week’s Wellness Tip of the Week, Shaw shared quick snacks that help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. The full video is available to watch 

For this Wellness Tip of the Week, Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, healthspan coach and host of the 

 podcast, shares 2 quick exercises: one to boost mobility and activate the nervous system and another to help correct slouched posture. He also discusses the mental and emotional benefits of body movement.

Below is the video transcript, lightly edited for clarity:

 Hey everyone, Aaron Shaw here with another Wellness Tip of the Week. Before you reach for caffeine and more sugar on those busy, chaotic days, try this instead: body movement. Get your body to move a little bit, and it will actually help get your mind right. Our body loves to move, and there's...2 quick things you can do to help get your body focused, get your mind right, and even decrease a little bit of stress.

So, it turns out that movement lowers cortisol, our stress hormone. What it'll also do is give you some dopamine and serotonin, which are the chemicals that'll boost our mood and improve our focus—something that we can definitely do during busy clinic days, [or] really any day.

So, here are the 2 quick things you can do, [which take] a minute or less. [The] first step is [to] do some high knees. You can be standing up in a clinic. You can be in the grocery line. You can be at home in your home office. Think about bringing your knees up nice and high. Do about 10 or 15 times [on] each side, nice and easy. You can do this in between documenting, in between doing things. [It's] great for mobility [and] great for your nervous system—gets it activated just a little bit.

[Here's the] second quick tip you can do: I think about opening a big book, nice and wide, because what we tend to do [is] have this all-American slouch where we're on our computers [and] smartphones. We're watching Netflix, watching TV in the evening, and we all tend to get hunched over. Working with our clients, we're always hunched over. That can lead to a whole list of problems.

We want to correct that. We want to reverse that. And to reverse that...instead of being bent forward, think about sitting up tall, or standing up tall and opening up this big imaginary book, where you're opening [it] up cover to cover. And it gets you to squeeze your shoulder blades back a little bit, get your chest up, get your head up. Hold that for 2 or 3 seconds, bring it back down, bring it back up. You can do these anywhere. It's simple. It's quick. Two quick movements you can do that will really improve your posture, but it's really a brain exercise, a nervous system exercise, and a mood enhancer in disguise—and you get better posture. It's like [a] win, win, win. Give those a try, and I'll see you next week for another tip of the week.