Animals· 2026Q1
Short-Term Effects of Meloxicam and Marine-Based Fatty Acid Compounds on Objective Limb Loading and Owner-Reported Outcomes in Dogs with Hip Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
In dogs with hip osteoarthritis, a 4-week trial found no significant difference in peak vertical force (PVF) between meloxicam, marine fatty acids (PCSO-524, EAB-277), or placebo. However, meloxicam showed a nominally higher probability of improving PVF compared to placebo (4.000 relative risk, p=0.022), though this was not confirmatory.
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Key points
- No significant difference in peak vertical force (PVF) was observed between meloxicam, marine fatty acids, their combination, or placebo in dogs with hip osteoarthritis after 4 weeks.
- Meloxicam showed a nominally higher responder probability for improving PVF compared to placebo (relative risk = 4.000, p = 0.022), but this result was not considered confirmatory.
- Owner-reported pain interference improved within groups for the meloxicam+PCSO-524 combination and for PCSO-524 and EAB-277 individually, but not significantly between groups.
- Orthopedic assessment scores did not significantly change within or between any treatment groups.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Canine hip osteoarthritis (OA) requires multidimensional assessment. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 4-week treatment with meloxicam, PCSO-524, EAB-277, meloxicam plus PCSO-524, or placebo in 203 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring hip OA. The principal outcome was index-hindlimb peak vertical force (PVF) measured by force-plate gait analysis. Secondary outcomes included PVF responder status, orthopedic assessment score (OAS), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), and safety assessments. The primary baseline-adjusted mean PVF analysis did not demonstrate treatment superiority among groups. A secondary responder analysis using an analysis-stage >5%BW PVF threshold showed that meloxicam had a nominally higher Week 4 responder probability than placebo (relative risk = 4.000; 95% confidence interval, 1.223 to 13.079; p = 0.022), interpreted as supportive rather than confirmatory. Within-group score reductions were observed in LOAD and CBPI pain interference for the combination group, LOAD for PCSO-524, and CBPI pain interference for EAB-277. OAS did not change significantly within any group. Between-group differences in LOAD and CBPI changes were not significant. No consistent group-level laboratory safety concern was detected. These findings support multidimensional assessment while emphasizing that secondary results do not establish treatment superiority.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Animals, 2026 · DOI ↗
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