Virbac and CARE partner to advance osteoarthritis education in companion animals

Virbac has announced a 12-month Gold+ sponsorship with Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), an organization dedicated to improving outcomes for pets affected by arthritis. The partnership, running from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, is focused on expanding educational resources and raising awareness around osteoarthritis (OA) and mobility management in canine and feline patients.¹

Through the collaboration, the two organizations will cross-promote mobility-focused initiatives and provide pet owners and veterinarians with arthritis-related information across both platforms. Programming will include continuing education for veterinary professionals, broader access to science-based resources for pet owners, and increased emphasis on early identification and management of OA in companion animals.¹

OA remains one of the most common yet most underdiagnosed conditions in companion animals. In an interview with dvm360 last year, Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, founder of CARE, emphasized the importance of proactively screening for joint disease.

“Dogs typically develop secondary arthritis, meaning they have an underlying developmental orthopedic disease or condition in their joint, which typically starts to develop in young dogs,” Kirkby Shaw told dvm360.² “This means we need to be screening for and identifying joint disease as early as possible so we can take a proactive approach to management.”

The consequences of delayed diagnosis extend beyond mobility. “OA pain changes not only a dog’s mobility but also their behavior, mood, and personality,” Kirkby Shaw said.² “So, if you have a patient that is showing problem behaviors, it’s important to make sure that they’re not actually in pain.”

The diagnostic gap is even more pronounced in cats. Kirkby Shaw noted that roughly 60% of cats over the age of 6 have radiographic evidence of arthritis, rising to approximately 90% in cats over 12.^3,4 Despite those numbers, she estimates that fewer than 20% of cats are ever diagnosed with the condition. “The best estimate [we have] right now is 40% of cats actually have clinically relevant osteoarthritis,” Kirkby Shaw told dvm360.³ “Unfortunately, probably less than 20% of cats actually ever get diagnosed with arthritis.”

Among the management strategies Kirkby Shaw emphasizes, weight control stands out as uniquely evidence-based. “Maintaining a lean body condition is the only proven method of delaying and reducing the severity of [OA],” she said.² “There [are] no other treatments that have been shown to have the dramatic impact that weight management alone can have.” She recommends that dogs with or at risk of joint disease maintain a body condition score of 4.5 out of 9.²

Giovanni Abruzzini, president and CEO of Virbac, said the sponsorship between Virbac and CARE reflects the company’s focus on equipping both clinicians and pet owners with practical tools to address mobility issues earlier. “This partnership with CARE reflects our ongoing dedication to addressing pet mobility—by empowering veterinarians and pet owners with the knowledge and tools they need to proactively manage mobility issues like osteoarthritis and improve quality of life in pets,” Abruzzini said in a statement.¹

CARE’s caninearthritis.org platform offers free, evidence-based tools for veterinary teams and pet owners, covering mobility assessments, weight management, environmental modifications, and both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options.

Additional information about the partnership and access to OA educational resources are available at caninearthritis.org.¹

References

1. Virbac partners with Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE) as official sponsor. News release. Virbac. April 22, 2026. Accessed April 22, 2026.
2. Kirkby Shaw S, Bautista-Alejandre A. Three things to know about canine osteoarthritis. dvm360. April 29, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/3-things-to-know-about-canine-osteoarthritis
3. Kirkby Shaw S, Bautista-Alejandre A. Feline arthritis remains underdiagnosed. dvm360. May 22, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/feline-arthritis-remains-underdiagnosed
4. Arthritis Pain In Cats. NC State University. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://cvm.ncsu.edu/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center/arthritis-pain-in-cats/#:~:text=Musculoskeletal%20(MS)%20disorders%20are%20conditions,ligament%20disease;%20and%20tendon%20contracture.