The complexity of OA can make it hard to diagnose and treat, but a new resource that promotes pet owner involvement in joint disease detection can help streamline the process.

SHIRLEY, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2025 — American Regent, maker of Adequan® Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), is proud to announce the launch of a new canine osteoarthritis (OA) treatment protocol guide for veterinary practices. The guide provides veterinarians with a framework for creating a standardized approach to diagnosing and treating canine joint disease. The protocol guide was developed in collaboration with Denis Marcellin-Little, DEDV, DACVS, DACVSMR, DECVS.

“Structure and consistency are very important,” says Dr. Marcellin-Little, professor of orthopedics at University of California, Davis. “By emphasizing a practical, step-by-step framework, we’re moving beyond philosophical guidelines to something that truly helps practitioners and pet owners manage OA over the long term.”

The complexity of OA, combined with the time constraints veterinary practices face, makes having a comprehensive solution for arthritis paramount—an approach many veterinarians support. In fact, 95% of 327 veterinarians who participated in an American Animal Hospital Association survey said implementing a canine OA protocol would be helpful or is important/necessary.

American Regent Animal Health developed this framework for canine OA management with all veterinary practices in mind. The introductory guide showcases a three-step plan to help develop and implement an OA treatment protocol in almost any clinic. This plan includes:

– How to take a proactive approach to OA diagnosis
– Insights on how to establish a standardized OA treatment plan approach
– Tips for implementing an OA protocol into clinic operations

The protocol guide also offers potential examples of multimodal treatment plans for the different stages of OA, organized around three categories: 1) treating the disease with FDA-approved Adequan® Canine, 2) managing associated pain and inflammation with products that may include anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies and/or NSAIDs, and 3) recommendations for lifestyle modifications and adjunct therapies.

There’s more than just pain management for treating OA

Often by the time joint disease is diagnosed, dogs are already showing significant signs of pain, and by then the damage can be detrimental to mobility. That’s why this protocol guide highlights a proactive approach to help detect the disease early. It recommends making dog owners a central part of the OA detection team and provides resources to help veterinarians educate their clients about the signs of OA.

“By engaging pet owners in the process, they can work together with their veterinarian to spot the subtle signs sooner and take steps that will make a real difference in the well-being of their dog with OA,” says Paris Revoir, DVM, Professional Service Veterinarian at American Regent Animal Health.

The OA Protocol Pack includes:
– A Canine Osteoarthritis Treatment Protocol Guide for Veterinary Practices
– A “Symptoms and Stages of OA” poster
– “Take the OA Quiz” window clings
– A personalized treatment tear pad

While canine arthritis presents differently in each case, the one thing that stays consistent is its potential to advance to debilitation and mobility loss if left untreated. These new OA protocol assets can help equip veterinarians and pet owners with the knowledge needed to detect the disease early—which can make all the difference. To order the Protocol Pack, visit oaprotocolpack.com. To learn more about Adequan® Canine, visit adequancanine.com.

Adequan® Canine polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) solution 100 mg/mL

Indications and Usage Adequan® Canine is recommended for intramuscular injection for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Adequan® Canine should not be used in dogs who are hypersensitive to PSGAG or who have a known or suspected bleeding disorder. It should be used with caution in dogs with renal or hepatic impairment. Adverse reactions in clinical studies (transient pain at injection site, transient diarrhea, and abnormal bleeding) were mild and self-limiting. In post approval experience, death has been reported in some cases; vomiting, anorexia, depression/lethargy and diarrhea have also been reported. The safe use of PSGAG in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For additional safety information, please see full prescribing information.

About American Regent Animal Health

American Regent Animal Health, a division of American Regent, Inc., is committed to advancing animal health with proven FDA-approved products like Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). The company’s portfolio is anchored by the only FDA-approved polysulfated glycosaminoglycan products for horses and dogs, which have been relied on for nearly three decades by veterinarians. American Regent, Inc., a Daiichi Sankyo Group
Company, manufactures and distributes human and veterinary pharmaceutical products and is committed to providing the ever-changing U.S. healthcare marketplace with a growing and diversified portfolio.

For more information on American Regent Animal Health, visit ARAnimalHealth.com or call 1-800-458-0163.

Reference
1AAHA Canine Osteoarthritis Survey Summary of Findings. October 2023. Survey done in
partnership with American Regent Animal Health. Data on file.