1 Simple, Safe Injection for a Year of Pain

Anne Culp, VMD Synovetin OA is a new kind of joint injection to treat osteoarthritis (OA) in the elbows of dogs. It works to break the cycle of inflammation and pain, improving mobility and providing long-lasting relief. One treatment can lead to up to one year of pain relief through a simple and safe injection. It can even help control arthritis well enough to reduce the pain medications your dog may be on.

OA is the gradual wearing and inflammation of the joints over time. It is most commonly seen in older and larger breed dogs, but it can affect any dog. As this wear continues, the cartilage is broken down. From there, we see actual changes to the bone and associated pain. Over time this vicious cycle leads to worsening arthritis. Signs that your pet may have arthritis include slowing down or lagging behind on walks, limping, not wanting to jump up as much, and even crying out in pain.

The joint injection contains the active ingredient, Tin-117m, a microscopic medical radiation particle. This ingredient targets inflammatory cells like macrophages and synoviocytes. Not only does this reduce pain in the joints, but it will also slow down the progression of arthritis by decreasing inflammation.

We start by having a consultation appointment at Onion River Animal Hospital. At this appointment, we would go over your pet's history and physical exam and discuss the treatment process in depth. Two weeks before the scheduled treatment time, a current and accurate weight from your veterinarian's office is needed. Each treatment dose is made specifically for your pet based on this weight. On the day of the procedure, your pet would be dropped off at Onion River Animal Hospital. The procedure itself requires full sedation and takes about 5-10 minutes for the joint injection. Your pet will be able to go home that evening with the provided at-home care instructions.

Once your pet is home, we expect some discomfort associated with the injection and drowsiness from the sedation for 24-48 hours. We will be sure to provide you with the appropriate pain medication for that period if needed. Because the injection contains microscopic radiation, there is a short period when your pet goes home that they will need to be 3 feet from your torso for the majority of the day. This means not spooning your pet for that short time if they sleep with you or are constantly sitting on your lap. We know this is difficult for many pet parents, but it is worth it for your pet's comfort! Injections can only be given once a year. The long-term goal of this injection is to reduce discomfort, reduce the number of oral pain medications your pet is taking, and slow down the progression of arthritis. If your pet still needs oral pain medications, that is okay—whatever keeps them comfortable and living their best lives.

Onion River Animal Hospital is the only treatment center in Vermont, with treatments being done by Dr. Karen Bradley and Dr. Anne Culp. If you are not a client at Onion River Animal Hospital, your veterinarian can refer you for the procedure. Feel free to give us a call and schedule your consultation today!

For more information about SynovetinOA, visit https://activedognow.com

Onion River Animal Hospital 2386 Airport Rd., Berlin, VT 05641 802-223-7765 hello@orahvt.com

Anne Culp graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. After finishing her internship at BEVS she fell in love with Vermont and has been working at Onion River Animal Hospital since. Anne and her fiancé enjoy hiking and playing in the lake with their two dogs, Citra and O.G., and coming home to snuggle their three-legged cat, Brie.