Clinician’s Brief podcast highlights OA pain care beyond NSAIDs
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Clinician’s Brief has published a sponsored podcast episode, “Osteoarthritis Pain: Beyond NSAIDs with Dr. Robin Downing,” featuring pain specialist Robin Downing, DVM, on practical strategies for managing canine osteoarthritis pain beyond a single-drug approach. The episode, sponsored by PRN Pharmacal, centers on building more complete pain-control plans and improving conversations with pet parents about recognizing pain and tracking quality of life. That message lands at a time when osteoarthritis management continues to evolve, with AAHA’s pain guidelines emphasizing regular reassessment, multimodal care, and client education, while related Clinician’s Brief podcast coverage on mobility and joint health has also highlighted the role of rehabilitation, exercise planning, and environmental support—not just medications or supplements—in keeping pets functional. Newer options such as anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies have also expanded the treatment landscape. (cliniciansbrief.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t that NSAIDs are out, but that osteoarthritis care increasingly depends on individualized, multimodal plans that may combine pharmacologic therapy with rehabilitation, weight management, exercise modification, and environmental changes, plus closer monitoring over time. That broader mobility conversation matters for both dogs and cats, especially as obesity, aging, and chronic joint wear continue to affect day-to-day function and quality of life. It’s also especially relevant as clinics weigh newer agents such as bedinvetmab alongside established therapies, and as regulators and manufacturers continue updating safety communications and labeling based on post-approval adverse event reporting. (aaha.org)
What to watch: Expect continued discussion around how practices balance efficacy, monitoring, rehab and lifestyle support, and pet parent communication as new osteoarthritis data, label changes, and comparative studies emerge. (news.zoetis.com)