Efficacy of the use of Asudyn ® in the therapy of canine osteoarthritis. Prospective randomized blind pilot study. Preliminary results

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder in canines, causing discomfort, lameness, and reduced mobility. Due to the inconsistent effectiveness of current therapies and the definitive resolution of the disease in only some cases, OA continues to pose a significant challenge in the orthopedic field. Currently, a multimodal therapeutic approach involving systemic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular therapies, physiotherapy, dietary modifications, and nutraceuticals [1] is employed to mitigate disease progression, preserve joint mobility, and alleviate inflammation and pain. Among these nutraceuticals, fish oil [2] and avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) [3] have shown encouraging results in the management of OA. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of administering a specific nutraceutical blend (Asudyn®) in the treatment of spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs, in comparison with treatment using mavacoxib [4], a selective COX-2 anti-inflammatory agent.