Explaining osteoarthritis pain and Galliprant to pet owners

You have a suspicion of pain, what do you do now?

Around 1 in 4 young dogs had signs of radiographic OA and joint pain on examination, in a prospective study.¹

The average age of OA diagnosis is 10.5, so dogs could be spending years in pain²…

You need to structure your thoughts to effectively communicate your suspicions to the owner. They may be surprised, upset, angry or embarrassed. It’s time to go slowly and methodically.

• 1. Set up the topic by narrating your findings as you go through your exam
  • a. Address their primary concern before opening the topic of pain
• 2. Sensitively open the topic and summarise your observations
• 3. Check in with them – your response can make or break their acceptance

• 4. Discuss next steps – explain what would be ideal to get a greater understanding and agree a plan
  • a. Recognise personal needs and try not to make automatic assumptions on budget

Considering Galliprant for OA?

Galliprant is the most advanced oral pain relief for canine OA^3,4.

If you are considering Galliprant, you will want to be able to discuss it in consults, so what do pet owners need to know?

How is it different from other pain relief options?

Galliprant specifically targets the key OA pain mediator EP4 (which belongs to a hormone-like family of lipids or fats called prostanoids)⁵. Traditional NSAID painkillers target COX which indirectly blocks EP4 but also target prostanoids not related to OA pain⁴. Galliprant precisely targets EP4 and OA pain, sparing other prostanoids with key functions⁵.

…This means it can be used to detect and treat pain at the start of the OA journey^6-8 and it can help protect dogs from side effects seen with COX inhibition^9,10.

Visit MyElanco for conversation starters and tips on discussing this sensitive topic from Hannah Capon, vet and founder of Canine Arthritis Management.

Glossary: COX, cyclooxygenase; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory; OA, osteoarthritis.

References

1. Enomoto M et al (2024). Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs, Sci Rep 14(1): 2,827.
2. Anderson KL et al (2018). Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care, Sci Rep 8: 5,641.
3. Pye C, et al (2022). Advances in the pharmaceutical treatment options for canine osteoarthritis, J Small Anim Pract 63(10): 721-738.
4. Kirkby Shaw K. (2015). Oral presentation. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, 3-6 June 2015, Indianapolis IN, USA.
5. Kirkby-Shaw K et al (2016). Grapiprant: an EP4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist and novel therapy for pain and inflammation, Vet Med Sci 2(1): 3-9.
6. Galliprant Summary of Product Characteristics.
7. Rausch-Derra L et al (2016). A prospective, randomized, masked, placebo-controlled multisite clinical study of grapiprant, an EP4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist (PRA), in dogs with osteoarthritis, J Vet Intern Med 30(3): 756-763.
8. Wright A et al (2022). Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests, J Small Anim Pract 63(8): 609-618;
9. Rausch-Derra L et al (2015). Evaluation of the safety of long-term, daily oral administration of grapiprant, a novel drug for treatment of osteoarthritic pain and inflammation, in healthy dogs, Am J Vet Res 76(10): 853-859.
10. Pfeifer JM et al (2022). Gastric or duodenal perforation and secondary septic peritonitis following therapeutic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration, J Vet Emerg Crit Care 32(6): 764-768.

Galliprant contains grapiprant. Galliprant is indicated for the treatment of pain associated with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in dogs.

Legal category POM-V (UK) POM (IE). Refer to the product packaging and leaflets for information about side e_ects, precautions, warnings and contraindications. Further information is available from the Summary of Product Characteristics or datasheet. Advice should always be sought from the medicine prescriber. Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone. For further information call Elanco Animal Health on +44(0)1256 353131 or write to: Elanco UK AH limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, RG27 9XA.

Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible (UK); www.apha.ie (IE). Galliprant, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2025 Elanco or its affiliates.

PM-UK-24-0374. Date of Preparation: February 2025