LOAD

 

If you have a dog with diagnosed osteoarthritis or one that is just looking a bit stiff from time to time, then it may be of interest to google LOAD - Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs.

 

Because most of the signs seen in osteoarthritis are subjective, if owners can 'score' specific factors it can help to determine how the disease is progressing and how effective the current therapy is.

 

The factors to look at include:

general demeanour

general activity level

activity level at exercise

keenness to exercise

ability to exercise

frequency of rest at exercise

disability caused by lameness

stiffness after rest

effect of exercise on lameness

stiffness after exercise then rest

effect of lameness on ability to exercise

effect of weather on lameness

effect of weather on ability to exercise