In this episode, Dr. James Elliott joins Hannah Capon to explore the use of radiotherapy in treating osteoarthritis-related pain in dogs. Known primarily as a cancer treatment, radiotherapy is now being examined for its potential in managing chronic pain when conventional treatments are not enough. James shares clinical insights, including the case of his own dog, and discusses the promise and challenges of this emerging approach.

Brief Bio

Dr. James Elliott is a veterinary oncologist at Southfields Veterinary Specialists. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh and completed a residency in medical oncology at the University of Liverpool. He later trained in radiation oncology in the United States. His current work includes using advanced radiotherapy techniques to manage both malignant and non-malignant conditions in animals, including osteoarthritis.

Key Takeaways

1. Radiotherapy is being explored as a novel option for managing arthritis pain, particularly in dogs that cannot tolerate standard treatments.
2. Modern radiation techniques allow short, targeted sessions, reducing stress and side effects.
3. Not all dogs benefit equally; success may depend on the stage of the disease and location of pain.
4. There is a low but present risk of radiation-induced side effects, including secondary cancer in younger animals.
5. More research is needed, but early clinical results suggest radiotherapy could become a valuable tool in multimodal pain management.

Relevant Links

Podcast episode – https://youtube.com/live/lhPF54u4DaA
Southfields Veterinary Specialists – https://www.southfields.co.uk

CAM Teleguidance service – https://caninearthritisteleguidance.co.uk
CAM Member Zone – https://caninearthritis.co.uk/the-cam-member-zone/

Learn more about CAM:

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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.