Effectiveness of disease modifying osteoarthritis agents and carprofen for treatment of canine osteoarthritis

Abstract

A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of disease modifying osteoarthritis agents (DMOAAs) and carprofen by using force plate gait analysis and orthopaedic assessment score (OAS) in osteoarthritic dogs. Forty dogs with hip and/or stifle osteoarthritis (OA) were assigned randomly into four treatment groups: PCSO-524, treated with a marine-based fatty-acid compound; GC-ASU, treated with a combination of glucosamine-chondroitin sulphate and avocado/soybean unsaponifiables; CPF, treated with carprofen; and CPF-PCSO, treated with a combination of carprofen and PCSO-524. Each group received the therapeutic agent orally for four weeks. Peak vertical force (PVF), OAS, haematology and blood chemistry values were evaluated before treatment, and on the second and fourth weeks post-treatment. No significant effect was found in the PVF, OAS and blood values among the four treatment groups. Analyses within groups revealed significant increase in PVF among the PCSO-524, CPF and CPF-PCSO groups (p < 0.05). OAS showed significant decrease in the PCSO-524, CPF and CPF-PCSO groups (p < 0.05). Average BUN in the CPF group increased significantly (p < 0.05). PVF negatively correlated with OAS with r = -0.39 (p = 0.014), r = -0.49 (p = 0.001) and r = -0.48 (p = 0.002) before treatment and on the second and fourth weeks post-treatment, respectively. Even though increased PVFs were demonstrated within the PCSO-524, CPF and CPF-PCSO groups, the greatest improvement was demonstrated in the CPF-PCSO group. The preliminary results imply the clinical benefits of PCSO-524 in combination with carprofen in the treatment of OA.