Osteoarthritis in dogs is a progressive, painful, and disabling condition. While drug treatments can provide temporary relief, they are not always sufficient. preserve mobility in the long term, especially in older dogs. This is why many veterinary teams are now moving towards a multimodal approach, combining weight management, physiotherapy, nutritional supplementation and so-called “alternative” medicines.
But what do these alternative approaches actually cover? Are they effective? How can they be integrated coherently? This guide takes stock, exclusively on the basis of of scientific publications.
Why a multimodal approach?
Chronic joint pain induced by osteoarthritis can lead to a vicious cycle: less movement → more stiffness → muscle loss → more painThe multimodal approach aims to break this spiral, by combining several therapeutic levers:
- Weight management
- Adapted physical activity
- Nutritional supplements
- Functional rehabilitation
- Physical and neurosensory techniques
This strategy aims not to cure, but at slow down joint deterioration, improve quality of life and maintain mobility.
For further : Diet and osteoarthritis: 5 pillars for your dog's comfort
1. Hydrotherapy: alleviate stress, maintain effort
Hydrotherapy is one of the most widely used techniques in veterinary physiotherapy. It involves having the dog walk on a treadmill placed in warm water (underwater treadmill), in order to :
- Reduce the weight borne by the joints (up to 60%)
- Promote joint range of motion without pain
- Preserve or even rebuild muscle mass
- Working on the motor diagram in a secure environment
📌 In a study conducted at the University of Tennessee, two dogs with severe osteoarthritis underwent an 8-week hydrotherapy program. Owners observed significant improvements in mobility, posture, stair climbing, and spontaneous play again. [1]
Objective measurements (lameness scores, range of motion, weight carried by the limbs) also confirmed this progress.
📌 The analysis by McGowan & Goff (2016) recalls the beneficial mechanisms of water: soft resistance, proprioceptive stimulation, thermal analgesic effect, while reducing joint impact【2】.
📌 The DVM360 and SimonVetSurgical websites detail the indications: moderate to advanced osteoarthritis, post-operative, overweight, muscle loss【3】【4】.
2. Therapeutic laser (photobiomodulation): modulate inflammation without pain
La photobiomodulation is based on the application of low-intensity infrared light to soft tissue. This non-invasive procedure aims to:
- Reduce the production of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α)
- Improve local microcirculation
- Stimulate cell regeneration
- Relieve chronic pain
📌 A systematic review (PubMed ID: 36377757) highlights that photobiomodulation, although still heterogeneous in its protocols, is of definite interest for the management of musculoskeletal pain in dogs【5】.
The effects can be observed after just a few sessions, with cumulative results over the weeks, according to professionals using this method.
3. TENS: Block pain without medication
Le TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a non-invasive medical procedure that sends slight electrical impulses through the skin, stimulating peripheral nerves. Purpose: bypass the pain message at the spinal cord level.
📌 In a clinical veterinary study (PubMed ID: 31996106), López-Ramírez et al. show that TENS is well tolerated in dogs osteoarthritic patients, including the elderly, and can improve joint comfort as part of a multimodal functional rehabilitation protocol【6】.
It is especially used in dogs that cannot yet move actively or do not tolerate massage.
4. Vibramoov: the memory of movement, even when motionless
La functional motor stimulation by vibration (Vibramoov) is an innovation derived from human neurology. It consists of applying targeted mechanical vibrations on tendons and muscles, imitating active movement, even in an animal in a motionless position.
The objective: activate sensory-motor pathways (proprioceptive, spinal, cortical), maintain engine diagrams, and avoid loss of tone in case of prolonged immobility.
📌 In veterinary rehabilitation, the Vibramoov system allows, for example, dogs suffering from advanced osteoarthritis or having undergone surgery to stand without pain, preserve deep muscle chains and reduce postural imbalancesThe first clinical cases report improvements in posturology, tone and motor expression in severely arthritic dogs.
5. Other approaches: massages, ultrasounds
therapeutic massage et gentle stretching are manual techniques used in addition to:
- Reduce muscle tension secondary to pain
- Maintain joint range of motion
- Promote circulation and recovery
These actions must be carried out by a trained professional, to avoid any risk of incorrect handling.
therapeutic ultrasound, used to heat deep tissues and reduce pain, are less studied in dogs, but are beginning to be used in specialized centers. No source provided provides numerical data on this subject.
A comprehensive, personalized and supervised program
All these methods are meaningless. only if they are integrated into a global strategy, defined by a veterinarian or animal physiotherapy specialist. This includes:
- Un locomotor and functional assessment specific
- There’s nothing quite like a adapted progression to the state of the animal
- There’s nothing quite like a regular monitoring dog's reactions
The goal is not to do everything at once, but to intelligently combine the right levers, depending on the animal's profile.
PERNIXOL® : additional support in this process
To support this multimodal approach, PERNIXOL® is a liquid food supplement rich in marine Omega-3 EPA+DHA from:
- theNew Zealand green lipped mussel oil
- thealgae oil
Its fluid shape allows for easy integration into the diet. It can contribute, as part of a global program, to support joint flexibility and locomotor comfort for dogs prone to joint disorders.
Bibliography
- Lee W.R. (2000). The Effects of an Underwater Treadmill Physical Therapy Program on Two Dogs with Osteoarthritis. Chancellor's Honors Program Projects. University of Tennessee. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_chanhonoproj/402
- McGowan CM, Goff L. (2016). Hydrotherapy for the osteoarthritic dog: why might it help and is there any evidence? ResearchGate.
- Godfrey DR (2023). Underwater treadmill therapy in veterinary practice: benefits and considerations. DVM360.
- Muniz RS et al. (2022). Photobiomodulation for musculoskeletal pain in dogs: a review. PubMed ID: 36377757.
- López-Ramírez JC et al. (2020). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in canine musculoskeletal rehabilitation: case studies and recommendations. PubMed ID: 31996106.
- Courtine G., De Nunzio AM, Schmid M., et al. (2006). Facilitating locomotor training in neurorehabilitation using proprioceptive stimulation. PubMed ID: 24528550.
