The University of Tennessee

University Outreach and Continuing Education


Canine V - Osteoarthritis

A minimum of one elective is required for all participants..

Prerequisites

Participant must:
  • Participant must be a veterinarian, veterinary technician, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant or an actively enrolled student in on of these fields.

Course Description:

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of the canine population. This course will provide an in-depth examination of canine osteoarthritis and the practical application of treatments. Relevant clinical studies will be reviewed as they pertain to canine osteoarthritis. This two-day course will review the structure and function of articular cartilage, development of osteoarthritis, the clinical evaluation of patients with osteoarthritis, common clinical conditions leading to arthritis, and outcome assessment of patients with osteoarthritis. The role and theory of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including COX-2 inhibitors, steroids and slow-acting disease-modifying osteoarthritis will be discussed. The nutritional and surgical treatments used in managing patients with arthritis, as well as the use of physical rehabilitation, including therapeutic exercises, aquatic therapy and physical modalities, will also be emphasized.

Finally, evaluation of alternative and complementary treatments, such as magnets, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, other nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathy, acupuncture, and other treatments will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the theories of these treatments and data from clinical studies to support or refute their benefits in the management of patients with osteoarthritis.

Seminar Outline

Day 1

  • Structure and function of articular cartilage
  • How osteoarthritis occurs
  • Clinical evaluation of patients with osteoarthritis
  • Common clinical conditions leading to arthritis
  • Outcome assessment of patients with osteoarthritis
  • Surgical treatments

Day 2

  • Role and use of NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors and steroids
  • Slow-acting disease-modifying osteoarthritis agents
  • Nutritional treatments
  • Therapeutic exercises, aquatic therapy and physical modalities
  • Alternative and complementary treatments
  • Putting it together – designing a treatment plan for the patient with osteoarthritis

Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Understand how osteoarthritis progresses and affects the patient
  • Understand the rationale for the use of various pharmacological and other disease modifying agents in managing osteoarthritis
  • Evaluate the underlying cause of the osteoarthritis so that a treatment plan may be initiated and patient progress can be assessed
  • Understand how nutrition, exercise and physical modalities affect dogs with osteoarthritis so that treatment programs may be developed
  • Evaluate the role of various alternative and complementary treatments in managing osteoarthritis
  • Be able to design a dynamic program for the dog with osteoarthritis.