Canine Arthritis Matters

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon is joined by Dr. Michelle Kutzler, a leading expert in veterinary reproduction, to tackle one of the most emotionally charged and confusing topics for caregivers and professionals alike: whether, when, and how to neuter dogs.Drawing on decades of research and clinical experience, Michelle explains why there is no single correct answer to neutering decisions. The conversation explores the hormonal consequences of gonad removal, particularly the long-term elevation of luteinizing hormone (LH), and how this may influence musculoskeletal health, joint disease, ligament integrity, cancer risk, and behaviour.Together, Hannah and Michelle discuss early neutering and skeletal development, osteoarthritis risk, ligament laxity, body composition changes, and the emerging evidence linking neutering to anxiety-related behaviours. They also explore alternative sterilisation options, including vasectomy, hysterectomy without ovary removal, intratesticular injections, and hormone-modulating implants such as deslorelin.This episode emphasises contextual, individualised decision-making and highlights the importance of balancing health risks, benefits, and caregiver trade-offs. It is the first part of a wider conversation, with a follow-up episode planned.Guest BioDr. Michelle Kutzler graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 and completed a residency in theriogenology at Cornell University, followed by a PhD in physiology. She has held academic positions at Oregon State University and, as of July 2025, joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine faculty.Dr. Kutzler has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, more than 30 book chapters, and two textbooks in the field of animal reproduction. She serves as Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Reproduction Control Committee, co-chairs the International Symposium for Canine and Feline Reproduction Scientific Committee, is a scientific advisor for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, and is President-Elect of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners.Her research focuses on the systemic effects of gonadectomy, endocrine balance, musculoskeletal health, cancer risk, and behaviour.Key Takeaways1. There is no universal answer to whether or when dogs should be neutered; decisions must be individualised.2. Early neutering permanently alters skeletal development, joint angles, muscle mass, and ligament stability, increasing OA risk.3. Removal of gonads leads to lifelong elevation of luteinizing hormone, which has receptors throughout the body, including joints, ligaments, and the brain.4. Some anxiety and behaviour changes in neutered dogs may be hormonally driven and, in certain cases, improve with LH suppression.5. Alternative sterilisation options exist and should be discussed openly alongside traditional spay and neuter surgery.Relevant Links World Small Animal Veterinary Association Reproduction Control Committeehttps://wsava.org/committees/reproduction-control-committee/Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogshttps://acc-d.org/International Symposium for Canine and Feline Reproductionhttps://iscfr.org/Deslorelin (Suprelorin) background informationhttps://www.virbac.com/home/our-products/pet-health/suprelorin.htmlLearn more about CAM:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritisYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltdHave questions send them to: [email protected] tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon is joined by dog behaviour consultant and trainer Jessie Kasper from Mindful Methods Training. Together they explore the intersection between dog training and pain, and how physical discomfort can influence behaviour, learning, and training outcomes.Jessie shares examples from her own casework, highlighting common behavioural clues that may indicate pain, and discusses how trainers and caregivers can work more collaboratively with veterinary professionals. The conversation also covers osteoarthritis in training cases, challenges in moving from suspicion to management, and the importance of education and empathy when supporting dogs living with chronic pain.Guest BioJessie Kasper is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants and a certified Family Dog Mediator. She is Fear Free Certified, an Emotional CPR Certified Practitioner, and a CAMadvocate Level 1. Jessie runs Mindful Methods Training, where she focuses on compassionate, science-informed training approaches that consider the whole dog, including physical health, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive needs.More about Jessie and her work:https://www.mindfulmethodstraining.comKey Takeaways1. Pain can significantly interfere with dog training by affecting focus, motivation, and emotional regulation.2. Many behaviour cases have an underlying pain component, even when physical signs are subtle or easily missed.3. Collaboration between trainers, caregivers, and veterinary professionals leads to better welfare and training outcomes.4. Behavioural changes such as avoidance, inconsistency, or reduced engagement can be important clues to physical discomfort.5. Educating caregivers about the link between pain and behaviour supports earlier intervention and more realistic expectations.Relevant LinksMindful Methods Training: https://www.mindfulmethodstraining.com/CAM Member Zone: https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/Suspicion of Chronic Pain Form: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/suspicion-of-chronic-pain/CAM Vet Nurse Arthritis Flip Chart: https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/product/oa-flipchart/Young Dog Joint Care Coursehttps://www.mindfulmethodstraining.com/Learn more about Jessie’s work and access resources supporting young dog joint care and pain-aware training at:https://www.mindfulmethodstraining.com/Join the CAM Member Zone to access practical tools such as the Good Day / Bad Day Diary, monitoring resources, and education to support dogs living with chronic pain:https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

In this episode, Hannah is joined by Dr Jason Lowe, Chief Veterinary Officer at Contura Vet, to explore the use of intra articular hydrogels as a tool in osteoarthritis management, with a specific focus on Arthramid and how this technology may influence synovitis, joint function, pain, and longer term outcomes. Starting with a clear refresher on osteoarthritis pathology, the conversation then moves into how a 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel can integrate with synovial tissues and why that might matter clinically. They discuss where the evidence currently sits, what licensing and real world data can and cannot tell us, and why careful case selection remains essential. Practical caveats are emphasised, including the need for appropriate imaging, the realities of sedation or GA for administration, and the importance of rehabilitation to address established physical consequences of OA. The episode closes with broader, big picture OA management takeaways for both vets and caregivers, with actionable tips focused on monitoring, decision making, and building a sustainable plan for the individual dog.Guest BioDr. Jason Lowe is a respected equine veterinarian and until recently based in Cambridge, New Zealand. With a profound passion for horses and a commitment to their well-being, Dr. Lowe has over 30 years of clinical experience in specialist equine clinics throughout the world. After obtaining his veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, Dr. Lowe embarked on a journey to specialize in equine medicine. He completed a Certificate in Equine Practice from the Royal College, London and a Masters in Business Administration from Waikato University, New Zealand.Key Takehomes1. OA is more than cartilage wear and tear. Synovitis and the wider joint environment matter, which is why targeted intra articular approaches are of interest.2. Hydrogels are not a magic reset. They may support the synovial environment and joint function, but they do not rebuild established biomechanical change on their own. Rehab and time still do the heavy lifting.3. Evidence is promising but must be interpreted with discipline. Real world and observational data can be useful, but study design, outcome measures, and time horizons influence what you can conclude.4. Case selection and process are part of the treatment. Imaging, sedation or GA suitability, expectations setting, and a whole dog plan determine whether the option makes sense for that specific patient.5. OA management remains multi modal. Even if hydrogels help, they sit within a broader strategy including monitoring, weight optimisation, movement plans, pain control where needed, and caregiver education.Relevant Links Arthramid (overview): https://arthramid.com/Arthramid product page (2.5% iPAAG): https://arthramid.com/product/Contura animal health (veterinary orthopaedics): https://contura.com/animal-health/Arthrosamid (human equivalent): https://arthrosamid.com/Contura announcement including Dr Jason Lowe appointment: https://arthramid.com/2024/07/contura-animal-health-holdings-acquires-innovative-medical-solutions/If you are a caregiver and you are unsure whether pain is part of your dog’s picture, take CAM’s free course Is My Dog in Pain? to learn the common and the subtle signs, and how to gather useful videos and notes for your next vet consult: https://www.cameducation.co.uk/course/is-my-dog-in-painLearn more about CAM:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritisYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltdHave questions send them to: [email protected] tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah speaks with Dr Matt Gurney about Pawra (https://pawra.com), a new canine wellness centre in Chiswick, London, designed to complement a dog’s primary veterinary care rather than replace it. They explore the growing “wellness gap” between annual vet visits and problem driven consultations, and how Pawra aims to fill this space with evidence informed services focused on prevention, rehabilitation and early detection.Matt explains Pawra’s 90 minute Wellness Assessment (https://pawra.com/wellness-assessment/), the four pillars of care (Stay Well, Stay Fit, Stay Sharp, Recover), and why clear referral pathways and collaboration with a dog’s own vet are essential for safe and effective care. The conversation then moves into osteoarthritis, covering diagnosis, muscle assessment, physiotherapy, environmental changes and why proactive care is critical for long term quality of life.Guest bioDr Matt Gurney is a UK based veterinary anaesthetist and analgesia specialist. He trained at the University of Liverpool, works at Eastcott Referrals (https://www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk), and is Veterinary Lead at Pawra (https://pawra.com). Matt lectures internationally on pain management, has authored numerous publications in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, is Past President of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to clinical practice.5 key takehomes1. Pawra is designed to complement, not compete with, your vet by focusing on personalised prevention, rehabilitation and early issue detection (https://pawra.com/services/).2. The Pawra Wellness Assessment provides structured, practical actions for caregivers, the home environment and the primary vet.3. Pain, physiotherapy and behaviour services should follow referral pathways to ensure the full medical history is considered and patient safety is prioritised.4. Proactive care matters, common issues like dental disease and obesity are widespread and often improveable when identified early.5. Effective osteoarthritis management relies on evidence based frameworks such as the COAST staging tool, accurate diagnosis, muscle assessment, physiotherapy guided exercise, weight optimisation and environmental changes like flooring.Relevant linksPawra website: https://pawra.comPawra services overview: https://pawra.com/services/Pawra centre and facilities: https://pawra.com/our-centre/Pawra contact and location: https://pawra.com/contact-us/COAST resourcesCOAST staging tool PDF:https://assets.elanco.com/0cec44ed-3eaa-0009-2029-666567e7e4de/b2d5f58c-2645-46ad-b5e5-65906b491bf3/COAST%20Printable%20PDF.pdfCOAST publication PDF:https://assets.elanco.com/0cec44ed-3eaa-0009-2029-666567e7e4de/fde5d152-6471-4916-af01-550ae49873c6/COAST_Publication.pdfThe Pain Vet: https://thepainvet.co.ukCAM EssentialsIf you are a caregiver or professional wanting a clear, practical and evidence based framework for recognising osteoarthritis pain and building a management plan with your vet team, explore the Canine Arthritis Essentials course here:https://www.cameducation.co.uk/course/camessentialsLearn more about CAM:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritisYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltdHave questions send them to: [email protected] tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode, Hannah and Dr Chelsea Dawson talk about a question many owners quietly struggle with: “When is what I’m doing enough?” They explore multimodal management for canine arthritis, why it can feel overwhelming to see so many possible treatments and therapies, and how this can trigger guilt, shame or a sense of failure when you cannot do everything. Chelsea and Hannah focus on aligning your multimodal plan with your dog’s needs, your resources and your life, so that you can feel confident and kinder to yourself while still giving your dog good, evidence-based care.Guest BioDr Chelsea Dawson has a long history in animal welfare. Before becoming a vet, she worked in several roles with the OSPCA, including as an animal control officer, then trained as a veterinary nurse. She later moved to the UK to study at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School and, after graduation, practised in Lancashire, where she obtained an ESVPS certificate in Chronic Pain Management and Western Veterinary Acupuncture. She went on to run a dedicated pain clinic and developed a strong interest in holistic, integrated care. Today she works as an integrative veterinarian and veterinary herbalist, providing referral services for pain management and herbal medicine, and teaching on acupuncture and herbal medicine courses. Key Takehomes1. Multimodal management is ideal, but you do not have to do “everything” for it to be effective.2. Feelings of guilt and “not doing enough” are common and valid, but they are not a good measure of how well your dog is cared for.3. A realistic plan that you can sustain emotionally, financially and time-wise will help your dog more than an unsustainable “perfect” plan.4. It is fine to prioritise: choose the mix of interventions that makes the biggest difference to your dog’s comfort and quality of life.5. Looking after your own wellbeing and mindset is part of good pain management, because a supported, informed owner can advocate better for their dog.Relevant LinksCAM downloads – pain charts, guides and printable tools (including chronic pain indicator chart, good day / bad day diary, video guidance):https://caninearthritis.co.uk/how-cam-can-help/downloads/ CAM Education – online learning platform:https://www.cameducation.co.uk/ True North Veterinary Wellness – Chelsea’s clinic (integrated pain management, acupuncture, herbal medicine):https://truenorthveterinary.ca/about-2/ Veterinary Herbal Training / Longview CPD profile – integrated medicine, acupuncture and herbal teaching:https://longviewcpd.co.uk/meet-the-team/ Become a CAM member: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/get-involved/become-a-cam-member/ Learn more about CAM: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritisYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltdHave questions send them to: [email protected] tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.