Dog Condition

Dog Arthritis — Pain Management Online

Arthritis affects 1 in 5 adult dogs. Get prescription pain relief (Carprofen, Meloxicam, Gabapentin), joint supplements, and a personalised management plan — all via video consultation.

Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Online vet care - virtual veterinarian consultation
Senior dog with stiff joints resting beside owner during TelaVets consult

Degenerative joint disease

Managing canine arthritis pain without the clinic stress

  • Gait and mobility assessment on video — rising, walking, stair use

  • Pain scoring using validated owner-observed scales

  • NSAID selection guidance including Carprofen and Meloxicam monitoring

  • Gabapentin and supplement recommendations for multimodal relief

  • Weight and exercise modification tailored to joint load

  • Red-flag screening for acute lameness needing urgent imaging

Canine osteoarthritis is a progressive disease where joint cartilage breaks down, bone spurs form, and inflammation makes every step painful. Large breeds, overweight dogs, and athletes with old injuries often show stiffness long before owners realize arthritis has set in.

Home video reveals how your dog actually moves day to day — often more honestly than a stressed clinic gait exam. TelaVets vets use that footage plus pain history to build a multimodal plan balancing prescription anti-inflammatories, adjunct pain meds, and lifestyle changes that protect remaining cartilage.

Common signs of dog arthritis we can help with

  • Difficulty rising from rest
  • Reluctance to climb stairs
  • Stiffness after exercise
  • Reduced activity
  • Limping
  • Muscle wasting
  • Behavioural changes
  • Licking at joints

What causes dog arthritis?

Arthritis is rarely caused by a single event — genetics, conformation, and lifestyle stack together over years.

Age-related cartilage wear

Years of joint use thin cartilage in hips, stifles, and elbows; most dogs over seven show some radiographic OA even if signs are subtle.

Developmental orthopedic disease

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cruciate tears alter joint mechanics and accelerate arthritis in young and middle-aged dogs.

Excess body weight

Every extra pound multiplies force on damaged joints; obesity is one of the few modifiable drivers of arthritis progression.

How our vets diagnose it online

Telemedicine excels at monitoring chronic arthritis — adjusting meds before pain spirals and before side effects accumulate.

  • History of stiffness after rest vs. after exercise
  • Visual lameness assessment at walk and trot on non-slip flooring
  • Palpation guidance for joint swelling and muscle loss you can report
  • Review of current pain medications and stomach tolerance to NSAIDs
  • Discussion of when radiographs or orthopedic referral is warranted

Treatments we may prescribe

Your vet will layer prescription pain control with weight, exercise, and supplement strategies so relief is steady rather than all-or-nothing.

  • NSAIDs (Carprofen, Meloxicam)

  • Gabapentin for pain

  • Joint supplements (Omega-3, Glucosamine)

  • Weight management

  • Low-impact exercise

  • Laser therapy guidance

  • Prescription veterinary diet

All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.

Slowing arthritis progression in dogs

  • Keep lean body condition from puppyhood — growth diets for large breeds matter.

  • Use ramps instead of stairs for at-risk breeds as they age.

  • Maintain low-impact exercise like swimming or leash walks on soft ground.

  • Start joint supplements early in predisposed breeds after vet discussion.

  • Treat cruciate injuries promptly to reduce compensatory joint damage.

Why pet parents choose TelaVets

  • Licensed DVMs Only

    Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.

  • $65 Flat Fee

    One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.

  • Same-Day Appointments

    Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.

  • Next-Day Prescriptions

    When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.

  • Stress-Free Home Visits

    Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.

  • Secure & Private

    Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.

How TelaVets works

  1. Book your consultation

    Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.

  2. Connect with a licensed vet

    Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.

  3. Get your treatment plan

    Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.

What Our Pet Parents Say

Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care

"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."

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David Long

Verified Pet Parent

"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."

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Courtney Hughes

Verified Pet Parent

"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"

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Maria

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"

JG

Jackie Gardner

Verified Pet Parent

"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."

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Lara Durand

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"

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Wanida Walker

Verified Pet Parent

"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"

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Amanda Tobias

Verified Pet Parent

"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"

JH

Jana Humble

Verified Pet Parent

"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."

MK

Marilyn Kerr

Verified Pet Parent

Frequently asked questions about dog arthritis

Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of arthritis via video consultation, review your dog's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.

Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.

Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.

Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.

If your dog shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.

Get expert help for your dog's arthritis today

Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets