In this episode, Hannah speaks with orthopaedic surgeon and rehabilitation expert Dr David Dycus to examine the real challenges of early arthritis detection. Together, they explore why early identification is often missed, what responsibilities both caregivers and professionals share, and which interventions truly shift the trajectory of osteoarthritis.

Aligned with CAM’s January prevention theme, this conversation highlights how critical early lifestyle decisions are for long-term joint health. Many of the most effective interventions are neither invasive nor expensive: bodyweight control, activity optimisation, home adaptation, and proactive monitoring form the foundation. Hannah also taps into Dr Dycus’s extensive orthopaedic and rehabilitation experience, asking how he approaches cases where pain is the only visible sign and what he recommends for both early and moderate disease.

The LIVE concludes with CAM’s signature segment: Ten Top Tips for managing your arthritic dog (from 1:02:00 in the original video).

Guest Bio

Dr David Dycus obtained his veterinary degree at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, completed a small-animal rotating internship at Auburn University, and returned to Mississippi State for a combined surgical residency and Master’s degree. He sits on the research committee of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and has a strong clinical and research interest in arthritis, joint disease, regenerative medicine, and minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery.

Dr Dycus is trained in arthroscopy, minimally invasive fracture repair, and advanced procedures for cruciate ligament injury. He gained stem-cell certification in 2010 and became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2015. He is co-founder and co-director of the Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (VSMRI), an online rehabilitation education platform, and is the founder and CEO of Dycus Veterinary Consulting.

https://www.vsmri.com/

Key Takeaways

1. Early identification of arthritis is a shared responsibility between caregivers and veterinary professionals.

2. Many impactful interventions are lifestyle-based, low-cost, and can be implemented long before medication is needed.

3. Pain as the sole clinical sign is easy to miss; subtle changes matter and should prompt assessment.

4. Early and moderate OA require different strategies, but both benefit from proactive monitoring and joint-friendly routines.

5. No intervention works alone; multimodal management started early has the greatest protective effect on long-term mobility.

Relevant Links

Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (VSMRI):

https://www.vsmri.com/

CAM Member Zone:

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

Young Dog Joint Care Course (January Prevention Theme):

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/young-dog-joint-care/

January Prevention Theme – Young Dog Joint Care

Healthy joints start young. Learn how to reduce risk, support growth and spot early trouble signs with our Young Dog Joint Care Course.

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/young-dog-joint-care/

CAM Member Zone

Get deeper guidance, tools and downloads including the Good Day/Bad Day Diary, early-detection resources, and full LIVE recordings inside the Member Zone.

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

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.

In this episode, Hannah welcomes back Dr Dan O’Neil to expand on the latest findings from VetCompass, the companion animal surveillance programme based at the Royal Veterinary College. Building on his previous CAM appearance, Dr O’Neil explains how large-scale clinical data is helping us understand which disorders affect our dogs most frequently, why they occur, and how this knowledge can improve welfare across all breeds.

As January at CAM focuses on prevention, this conversation highlights the essential role of early identification, awareness of developmental joint disease, and responsible decision-making throughout a dog’s early life. By understanding risk patterns across the wider population, caregivers and professionals can take meaningful steps to protect joint health long before clinical arthritis develops.

Originally published as a LIVE broadcast in January 2024

Guest Bio

Dr Dan O’Neil is Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College and co-lead of the VetCompass Programme. After 22 years in both small and large animal practice, he completed an MSc in epidemiology in 2009 and a PhD in 2014 focused on developing VetCompass, now a global leader in companion animal health surveillance.

He has authored over 100 scientific papers on breed health and therapeutics, co-authored the books Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats and Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic Companion Animals, and chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group. His work has been recognised with multiple honours including Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the BSAVA Blaine Award and the International Canine Health Award. His ethos is simple and powerful: we must understand the world better in order to make it better.

Key Takeaways

1. Developmental joint disease is a major driver of lifelong mobility problems, making prevention in young dogs essential.

2. Surveillance data challenges assumptions and provides evidence-based insight into true disease prevalence and risk.

3. Breed-related risk varies significantly and must be considered when making breeding, acquisition and lifestyle decisions.

4. Prevention is multi-layered and includes genetics, growth, body condition, environment and early monitoring.

5. Data-driven understanding empowers caregivers and professionals to intervene earlier and reduce long-term suffering.

Watch the Original LIVE - https://youtube.com/live/fJ0cE1vfztc

Relevant Links

Previous CAM episode with Dr Dan O’Neil:

https://youtu.be/NiZ47eews6c

VetCompass Programme information:

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass

January Prevention Theme – Young Dog Joint Care

Prevention starts early. Our Young Dog Joint Care Course is designed to help caregivers understand risk factors, support healthy development, and reduce the likelihood of joint disease later in life.

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/young-dog-joint-care/

CAM Member Zone

Join the CAM Member Zone for deeper education, practical tools, downloadable resources including the Good Day / Bad Day Diary, and ongoing support for preventing and managing chronic pain.

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

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.

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Hannah Capon is joined by Dr. Michelle Kutzler, a leading expert in veterinary reproduction, to tackle one of the most emotionally charged and confusing topics for caregivers and professionals alike: whether, when, and how to neuter dogs.

Drawing on decades of research and clinical experience, Michelle explains why there is no single correct answer to neutering decisions. The conversation explores the hormonal consequences of gonad removal, particularly the long-term elevation of luteinizing hormone (LH), and how this may influence musculoskeletal health, joint disease, ligament integrity, cancer risk, and behaviour.

Together, Hannah and Michelle discuss early neutering and skeletal development, osteoarthritis risk, ligament laxity, body composition changes, and the emerging evidence linking neutering to anxiety-related behaviours. They also explore alternative sterilisation options, including vasectomy, hysterectomy without ovary removal, intratesticular injections, and hormone-modulating implants such as deslorelin.

This episode emphasises contextual, individualised decision-making and highlights the importance of balancing health risks, benefits, and caregiver trade-offs. It is the first part of a wider conversation, with a follow-up episode planned.

Guest Bio

Dr. Michelle Kutzler graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 and completed a residency in theriogenology at Cornell University, followed by a PhD in physiology. She has held academic positions at Oregon State University and, as of July 2025, joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine faculty.

Dr. Kutzler has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, more than 30 book chapters, and two textbooks in the field of animal reproduction. She serves as Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Reproduction Control Committee, co-chairs the International Symposium for Canine and Feline Reproduction Scientific Committee, is a scientific advisor for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, and is President-Elect of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners.

Her research focuses on the systemic effects of gonadectomy, endocrine balance, musculoskeletal health, cancer risk, and behaviour.

Key Takeaways

1. There is no universal answer to whether or when dogs should be neutered; decisions must be individualised.

2. Early neutering permanently alters skeletal development, joint angles, muscle mass, and ligament stability, increasing OA risk.

3. Removal of gonads leads to lifelong elevation of luteinizing hormone, which has receptors throughout the body, including joints, ligaments, and the brain.

4. Some anxiety and behaviour changes in neutered dogs may be hormonally driven and, in certain cases, improve with LH suppression.

5. Alternative sterilisation options exist and should be discussed openly alongside traditional spay and neuter surgery.

Relevant Links

World Small Animal Veterinary Association Reproduction Control Committee

https://wsava.org/committees/reproduction-control-committee/

Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs

https://acc-d.org/

International Symposium for Canine and Feline Reproduction

https://iscfr.org/

Deslorelin (Suprelorin) background information

https://www.virbac.com/home/our-products/pet-health/suprelorin.html

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

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.