We were honored to have Dr. Gwen Covey-Crump join us for two evenings to discuss the complexity of breakthrough pain and strategies to prevent it. The discussion covered the importance of owner education, identification and monitoring of chronic pain, and respecting medication dosing. Strategies for action against breakthrough pain include collaboration with vets, lifestyle changes, maintaining optimal weight, and having a toolkit for managing pain flares. (September 2021 FULL VIDEO: You can find the full video in the Member Zone https://caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone)

Guest info:

Gwen Covey-Crump qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001 and worked in small animal practice before completing a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Bristol in 2004. She later joined the Queen's Veterinary Hospital at the University of Cambridge and returned to Bristol Vet School in 2009 as the lead Clinical Anaesthetist for Langford Veterinary Services. Gwen earned her European Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2012 and now specializes in chronic pain management at Langford Vets, focusing on pharmacological therapies, environmental impacts on pain, and the connection between pain and behavior.

Key Takehomes:

1. Continuous Care is Key: Breakthrough pain in dogs with osteoarthritis can happen despite ongoing management, so ensuring continuous care with proper medication timing and dosage is essential.

   
   



2. Exercise and Lifestyle Adjustments: Exercise can be both beneficial and harmful depending on the type of pain (inflammatory vs. myofascial). Tailoring exercise based on the pain source is crucial for managing acute flares.

   
   



3. Educating Caregivers: Owners need to be prepared for the dynamic nature of osteoarthritis, including the potential for acute pain episodes, and should know how to adjust care and activities accordingly.

   
   



4. Clinical Tools for Monitoring: Utilizing tools like Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMIs) and Good Day Bad Day diaries helps in tracking the dog’s pain levels and adjusting treatment plans effectively.

   
   



5. Understanding OA’s Variability: Osteoarthritis is not a static condition; its waxing and waning nature means that management strategies should be adaptable and informed by continuous observation and data collection.

   
   

Have a look at our FREE DOWNLOADS and find documents like the BAD DAY/GOOD DAY DIARY - https://caninearthritis.co.uk/how-cam-can-help/downloads/
and also check out our ACUTE FLARE KITS that are for free in our Member Zone (available at only £35 per year - increased September 2024) and other helpful tools - https://caninearthritis.co.uk/how-cam-can-help/tools/

CAM is a self funded and self motivated initiative to improve the lives of dogs and their owners. If you feel that you would like to donate and support CAM to continue providing free education please do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/camhelp

Learn more about CAM: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
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Learn more about CARE: https://caninearthritis.org

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.