If you’ve noticed your dog slowing down, struggling to get up after resting or avoiding stairs or play, he or she may be suffering from arthritis. This painful joint condition affects 1 in 5 dogs—even younger, otherwise healthy dogs.
Choosing the best treatment for arthritis can feel overwhelming. From traditional medications to groundbreaking newer therapies, there are more options than ever before.
But how do you know which dog arthritis medicine is right for your best friend?
Let’s walk through the treatment options—including an innovative medical treatment that’s changing how we can manage arthritis in dogs.
The Traditional Approach: Managing Pain With Medications and Supplements
Veterinarians have relied on several types of treatments to help dogs with arthritis. Some of these are medications that primarily mask pain, while others work to help protect the lining of the joint. However, they each come with unique considerations—and aren’t necessarily right for all dogs.
NSAIDs
These pain killers provide temporary pain relief mostly by masking pain signals. They are oral medications that need to be given every day, 365 days a year. However, NSAIDs can sometimes cause side effects because they have to go through a dog’s whole body to treat pain in the joints. Stomach upset, liver enzyme changes, and kidney concerns are not uncommon, and routine bloodwork is often required to check for damage to these organs.
Steroids
Corticosteroids are drugs that are generally reserved for short-term use due to the significant potential side effects they cause, like weight gain, immune suppression, and damage to various internal organs. They also contribute to the breakdown of the cartilage that lines the joints. For these reasons, they are not recommended for long-term arthritis care.
Monoclonal Antibodies
This newer class of therapy works by blocking a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF). Blocking this protein helps reduce your dog’s ability to feel arthritis pain. While they provide a different way of masking pain, they aren’t designed specifically to address the inflammation that’s causing arthritis, so joint deterioration will continue to progress, even though a dog may feel more comfortable day to day. And because NGF blockers are injected under the skin on a monthly basis, which means regular trips back to the vet, they have to go through your dog’s entire body to relieve joint symptoms, which can result in a range of minor as well as very serious side effects.
Joint Supplements and Nutraceuticals
These treatments—such as glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, and green-lipped mussel—can be helpful for some dogs, especially in the earliest stages of arthritis. They’re considered generally safe, and while some have a mild anti-inflammatory effect, high-quality research is often needed to confirm effectiveness and establish optimal dosages. Furthermore, they often don’t provide sufficient relief for more advanced arthritis.
A Whole New Category: Medical Treatment that Changes the Game
While the treatments above focus on managing symptoms, a revolutionary newer approach is offering dog owners something entirely different: a single, once-a-year injection that targets the root cause of arthritis—with no drugs, no daily dosing, and no safety trade-offs.
This treatment, called Synovetin OA®, is not a drug at all. Instead, it uses microscopic particles that are injected directly into the affected joint. It’s an approach that’s been used to treat arthritis in humans around the world for many years.
Here’s what sets Synovetin OA apart:
One treatment provides up to 1 full year of relief
Unlike traditional medications that must be given daily or monthly, Synovetin OA requires just a single injection administered by your veterinarian once a year.
Very long-lasting relief
By working at the source of joint pain, rather than simply masking symptoms, Synovetin OA provides ongoing improvement in mobility and comfort. Many dog owners have reported seeing their pets start running, jumping, and playing again after just a few weeks.
No systemic side effects
Because Synovetin OA is not a drug and doesn’t enter the bloodstream, it avoids the stomach, liver, and kidneys entirely. In clinical studies and real-world use, there have been no systemic safety issues, only some occasional reports of temporary pain or swelling at the injection site. This makes it a great option for treating arthritis in any dog, but particularly in those who can’t tolerate NSAIDs or steroids.
Cost-effective
Although the upfront cost might seem higher than a single bottle of NSAIDs, when averaged over a full year, Synovetin OA can be comparable in cost to traditional long-term medications—but without the ongoing hassle or need for monitoring.
Backed by real-world success
Synovetin OA has now been used by 100s of veterinarians across the country to provide relief for 1000s of dogs. Results have been consistent and impressive in clinical studies that included different breeds, sizes, and ages.
What the Experts Are Saying
Veterinarians who’ve used Synovetin OA are enthusiastic about its impact.
“Synovetin OA is the most potent anti-inflammatory I can use. It’s particularly useful for younger dogs with earlier stage arthritis, as it addresses the inflammation that’s causing the disease before the damage to the joint becomes severe.”
—Dr. Matthew Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT
Fellow, International Association of Veterinary
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
Veterinary Referral Associates, Gaithersburg, Maryland
“Synovetin OA gave us a treatment that lasts up to a year, not just 12 hours. And one that actually does something for the underlying inflammation rather than just mask pain.”
—Dr. Jennifer Fletcher-Eckenrode, DVM, CCRT
Animal Hospital of Dauphin County
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
“I’m very excited about Synovetin OA because it’s a minimally invasive procedure that has a 92% response rate with no adverse side effects that we’ve seen. My own dog has elbow arthritis and I chose Synovetin OA to give him the best chance at comfort and function.”
—Dr. Marta Agrodnia, DVM, DACVS-SA Surgery
Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care
Portland, Maine
Final Thoughts: The Future of Dog Arthritis Care is Here
For years, treating arthritis in dogs has meant trade-offs: daily pills with side effects, injections with mixed results, or supplements that help some but not all dogs.
Now, with Synovetin OA, we’re entering a new era in which 1 treatment can offer up to 1 full year of relief.
If your dog is in pain, the best dog arthritis medicine for him or her might not be a drug at all—but a revolutionary medical treatment that’s transforming veterinary medicine one wagging tail at a time.
