Gastrointestinal Monitoring in the Osteoarthritis Patient - VOACON 2026

Osteoarthritis commonly necessitates long term NSAID therapy, raising concerns about gastrointestinal tolerance and safety. This session focuses on the assessment and monitoring of GI inflammation in dogs and cats receiving chronic medications, using faecal calprotectin as a non invasive clinical tool. The presentation will outline the physiological basis of faecal calprotectin, review the evidence supporting its use in veterinary patients, and discuss its application alongside clinical assessment in osteoarthritis management. Emphasis will be placed on recognising subclinical GI inflammation, monitoring patients over time, and using objective markers to guide treatment adjustments and support informed discussions with concerned owners. Learning outcomes After this session, participants will be able to: • Explain the importance of gastrointestinal monitoring in dogs and cats receiving long term NSAIDs for osteoarthritis, including the role of faecal calprotectin as a marker of intestinal inflammation. • Interpret faecal calprotectin results in the context of chronic NSAID use, concurrent clinical findings, and osteoarthritis management. • Apply faecal calprotectin testing in practice, integrating it into osteoarthritis monitoring plans and using results to communicate GI risk and management strategies clearly with worried or risk averse clients.