3-must reads for mobility awareness

National Mobility Awareness Month is annually recognized in May. In support of animals with mobility issues, dvm360 is sharing several articles that address certain diseases that can limit mobility and how they can be treated. These articles focus on creating a plan for managing canine osteoarthritis, helpful tips for clients to implement at home with their pets, and a study that aims to better understand how intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) affects a patient over the long term and their quality of life (QOL) as well as at the QOL of IVDD caregivers.

Photo: Yekatseryna/Adobe Stock

Make a patient-specific plan for canine osteoarthritis

Many therapies exist for managing osteoarthritis, but the best approach is multimodal and patient specific. In this article authored by Kate Boatright, VMD, expert insights from David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACV-SA, founder and orthopedic surgeon at Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics in Lanham, Maryland, are shared. These insights are based on his lecture presented at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Home hacks for geriatric dogs and cats

This article authored by Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, CVPP, director of Caring Pathways, an at-home end-of-life veterinary practice with a national network. Carmack provides practical tips for veterinary teams to share with clients. Educating pet owners on the common challenges older pets face and taking proactive measures to improve their pets' comfort as they age instills confidence and trust in the veterinary team, according to Carmack. The article addresses flooring, feeding areas, ramps and stairs, and other spaces and areas where pets may struggle with mobility.

Understanding canine intervertebral disc disease

A recent study examined long-term effects of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) as well as the quality of life for pets and their caregivers. Author Miranda Morman, BS, PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, breaks down key points of the study and results. Thirty-one pet owners with dogs treated for IVDD were interviewed for the study to ascertain how patients and their caregivers are living with the disease.