CONGENITAL CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE DOG

Congenital arthropathies have become a common cause of osteoarthritis in dogs. Current concepts of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatmen t of these diseases are discussed. Ln all cases. early diagnosis and t reatment are considered essential to achieve the best possible prognos is for the patient. Treatment options may include medical management, but most of these conditions currently are thought to the treated best by surgical intervention. There still is great need for the developme nt of studies to investigate the long-term efficacy of current treatme nt protocols and to develop new therapies that will either minimize or prevent the development of osteoarthritis in affected joints followin g treatment of the patient with a congenital arthropathy.