J Vet Sci.  2009 Sep;10(3):239-247. 10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.239.

The effect of doxycycline on canine hip osteoarthritis: design of a 6-months clinical trial

• Nganvongpanit K
• Pothacharoen P
• Suwankong
• Ong-Chai S
• Kongtawelert P

• KMID: 1726924
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.239

Abstract

Twenty-five dogs were included in a randomized, double-blind trial to assess the efficacy of doxycycline (DOX) orally administered twice a day at 4 mg/kg/day (n = 12) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Chondroitin sulfate (CS; 525 mg/day) was used as a positive control (n = 13). Dogs were re-examined monthly for 6 months after initiation of treatment. The assessment protocol included clinical score, radiographic findings and serum osteoarthritis biomarkers. Dogs treated with DOX showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in lameness, joint mobility, pain on palpation, weight-bearing and overall score at 2, 6, 4, 4 and 4 months, respectively, after treatment. Biomarker levels of CS-WF6 epitope and hyaluronan were significantly increased and decreased (p < 0.05) at 2 and 3 months after treatment compared to pretreatment. These results showed that DOX had a positive therapeutic effect in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Keyword

biomarkers; canine; chondroitin sulfate; doxycycline; osteoarthritis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biological Markers/blood
Dog Diseases/*drug therapy
Dogs
Doxycycline/*therapeutic use
Female
Hyaluronic Acid/blood
Joints/drug effects
Lameness, Animal/drug therapy
Male
Osteoarthritis, Hip/drug therapy/*veterinary
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Mean scores for lameness, joint mobility, pain on palpation, weight bearing and overall. Black = DOX group; white = CS group. *Values were significantly different compare to month 0 within the groups (p < 0.05). †Values were significantly different between groups within the month (p < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 2 Mean radiography scores. Black = DOX group; white = CS group. Vertical bar means a standard deviation.

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  Fig. 3 Mean of relative change (%) of serum CS-WF6 epitope and hyaluronan (HA). Black = DOX group; white = CS group. *Values were significantly different compare to month 0 within the groups (p < 0.05). †Values were significantly different between groups within the month (p < 0.05).

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