In this episode, Hannah and Drew explore the changing face of canine osteoarthritis (OA), highlighting why early detection and proactive management are so important. They discuss how OA can develop at a surprisingly young age, often before obvious clinical or radiographic signs appear. Drew explains how objective gait and stance analysis can help identify subtle changes, establish baselines and monitor responses to treatment. The conversation covers multimodal and layered approaches to OA management, including weight management, exercise, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy and intra-articular therapies. Above all, they emphasise that OA management is a journey, requiring regular monitoring, individualised plans and a focus on improving comfort and quality of life.

1. OA can start young — don’t assume it’s just a disease of old age.

2. Early detection matters — subtle changes can appear before X-ray findings.

3. Objective monitoring helps — gait and stance analysis can track changes over time.

4. Think multimodal — weight, exercise, lifestyle, medication and therapies all have a role.

5. There’s no quick fix — OA management is an ongoing, individualised journey.

Speaker bio:

Drew graduated from the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science in 2004 and joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps just a few months later. During a 17-year military career he was fortunate to be able to work extensively with Military Working Dogs, from procuring them for training, deploying with them to Iraq in 2007 and, as Officer Commanding of the Veterinary Training Squadron at the Defence Animal Training Regiment, assisting in their retirement. In 2022 Drew left the RAVC to help start MSK Vets, part of the Nupsala Group, and he focuses exclusively on dog mobility, objective gait analysis, and the use of innovative therapies for the management of osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. He is still involved with the working dog community and helping them keep their dogs fit and healthy, and he also provides mobility support services to retired Service Dogs.

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Join us next week for the first episode in the new series; “Rebuild”

5 Key Take-Home Points