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“Osteoarthritis can be described as the failed repair of damage that has
been caused by excessive mechanical stress on joint tissues.”
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is the most-common
chronic musculoskeletal disorder in dogs, horses, and humans. While not
life-threatening, osteoarthritis can be a major factor in quality of life and
health care economics for humans, pets, and athletic animals.
- In 2001, the estimated cost for the management and treatment of
osteoarthritis in humans was $89.1 billion dollars.
- It is estimated that 20% of dogs greater than one year of age are
affected by osteoarthritis.
- There are about 7.3 million horses in the United States and veterinary
researchers estimate that osteoarthritis accounts for approximately 60% of
lameness problems in horses.
Osteoarthritis can be treated and/or managed but there is no true cure.
Effective management of osteoarthritis is important from both an economic and an
animal welfare point of view.
Read
the complete monograph with citations.