Canine Vets - Arthramid

Australian Arthramid® Canine Elbow Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial in progress in 2025

Arthramid^® is a unique and patented 2.5% iPAAG^® (intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel) offering an innovative, safe intra-articular treatment option for veterinarians. It is used to manage joint pain and lameness in animals, including both early and late stages of osteoarthritis, through its precise therapeutic action on the synovial membrane.

2.5% iPAAG has an established track record of success and safety in alleviating joint pain and improving mobility in horses, dogs and humans, and this treatment is now being assessed formally in Australia for canine use, bringing hope to dogs struggling with osteoarthritis.

A pivotal Arthramid Canine Elbow Arthritis Trial has commenced in Australia within nominated veterinary practices in New South Wales and Queensland, with the aim of adding a canine claim to Arthramid’s existing equine lameness registrations in Australia (APVMA No. 86728) and New Zealand (ACVM No. A11596).

About Us Canine Research

Seeking Dogs with Elbow Arthritis to Join a Clinical Trial on Cutting-Edge OA Treatment, Arthramid®

STUDY AIM

We are on the hunt for dogs aged 2 to 12 years that have been diagnosed with elbow arthritis.

These dogs may be suitable to participate in a clinical trial to evaluate this novel injectable treatment which can enhance their quality of life, and also contribute to important research that may benefit countless other pets in the future.

Dogs enrolled in the study will undergo regular assessments to gauge improvements in comfort, mobility and overall quality of life. Participating dogs will receive all study-related veterinary care, medications and monitoring at no cost.

This blinded, controlled field study will follow enrolled dogs for 12 weeks post-treatment.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Dogs of any breed, aged from 2 to 12 years
Bodyweight between 10 and 50 kg
History, clinical signs and/or physical exam findings consistent with primary arthritis in one or both elbows
Dogs otherwise in good health
Most previous and concurrent medications are permitted, depending on their mode of action
Evidence of elbow arthritis on radiographic, CT or other suitable imaging (This evaluation can be conducted at commencement of the trial, if not already done prior)

LEARN MORE

RECRUITMENT

Assess suitability: If you believe a patient may be a good candidate for the Arthramid® Canine Elbow OA Trial, discuss the opportunity with the owner.
Obtain consent: With the owner’s permission, gather and prepare the dog’s veterinary history (ideally covering the past 6–12 months).
Submit records: Send the medical records to our research team at research.anz@conturavet.com for assessment.
We assess suitability: Our team will review the information to see if the dog is a match for the trial.
Referral for enrolment: If the patient is suitable, we will provide a referral to a participating trial clinic for enrolment and next steps.

Participating Trial Practices

The shaded zones indicate where practices enrolled to participate in this study are located in New South Wales

The shaded zones indicate where practices enrolled to participate in this study are located in Queensland

Veterinarians requiring further information, including details of Participating Trial Practices, should contact Dr Edwina Lamkin via email research.anz@conturavet.com.

NOTE: ArthramidVet® is a registered S4 for the treatment of lameness in horses (APVMA No. 86728). Use in non-equine species in Australia is currently extra-label and at the veterinarian’s discretion.

Key Features of Arthramid

Patented 2.5% iPAAG technology: Effective for joint lameness in early and late stages of OA.
Proven efficacy: Backed by clinical trials across multiple species with ongoing research.
Bio-scaffold action: Restores synovial health.
Long-lasting results: Sustained soundness and lame-free outcomes.
Safe multi-joint treatment: Treat multiple joints in the same animal.
Extensive research: Over 20 years of studies in horses and humans, with ongoing R&D from Contura.

Start your journey to better joint health care today

Frequently Asked Questions

Dosage recommendations

Arthramid is supplied in a pre-filled 1mL syringe sealed via a Luer lock fitting.

Arthramid should be administered via a sterile 20-23g needle using aseptic injection technique protocols to prevent contamination of the injection site.

The dose injected into a joint is at the discretion of the veterinarian and may vary depending on the volume of the joint and/or the severity or duration of the disease.

Large Joint
Shoulder, elbow, hip or stifle
1.0 to 2.0 mL

Medium Joint
Carpus or Tarsus
0.5 to 1.0 mL

Small Joint
Inter-phalangeal joint
0.25 to 0.5 mL

Post-Injection Recommendations

48 HOURS OF REST
As with any intra-articular injections, 48 hours of rest is advised. Occasionally, some dogs may experience local pain and/or mild edema at the injection site. NSAIDs and ice can be used to manage any discomfort. This is a transient response and should resolve within 2-3 days.

WEEKS CONTROLLED EXERCISE

Remembering the structural mechanism of action, it is important to maintain calm, controlled exercise during the initial product integration period. Leash walks, gradually increasing in length, are permitted. Rough play, running, and jumping should be avoided.

CONTINUE REHAB
Patients currently receiving rehabilitation or physiotherapy should continue their program. However, avoiding additional strain on treated joints is still advised for at least 2 weeks following treatment.

CONCURRENT REHAB MODALITIES
Based on currently available data, we do not recommend the use of shockwave therapy on the treated joint for a period of 6 weeks post injection. Neither do we recommend the use of laser therapy on or over the treated joint for a period of 2 weeks.

RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITY
“Normal activity level” will vary for each patient. It is important to consider each patient’s baseline activity level prior to treatment. Overexertion and low fitness can lead to secondary injury. Age, weight, and severity of disease may all impact patient’s return to increased activity.

RECHECKS AND REINJECTION
Rechecks are recommended at 6 to 8 weeks post-treatment. While a single treatment is often adequate, a small number of cases may benefit from a top-up dose. In cases that have not responded, it is important to reassess the accuracy of the diagnosis

How to recognise osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs?

In the United States, Osteoarthritis (OA) is estimated to impact nearly 40% of all dogs. While commonly associated with older dogs, research indicates 20% of dogs as young as one year old can suffer from this debilitating disease. While damage to the articular cartilage is a classic indicator of advanced OA, synovitis is becoming more widely recognised as the key driver for the pain and inflammation associated with OA.

Typical signs of OA in dogs include:

Stiffness, especially after resting or in the morning
Difficulty rising, climbing stairs, or jumping onto furniture or into the car
Lameness or limping
Reduced willingness to play or exercise
Changes in behavior, such as irritability or withdrawal
Visible discomfort or signs of pain when touched or during movement

Recognising these signs early is crucial for effective management.

How do I diagnose arthritis?

An accurate diagnosis of OA begins with a thorough and comprehensive physical and orthopedic exam. Pet owners may consider taking videos of their pet(s) at home to capture “normal” examples of day-to-day activity and signs of pain.

Additional modalities to consider for more accurate diagnosis include:

Radiography
Ultrasound
CT, MRI, or other advanced imaging
Arthroscopy

Cases suitable for Arthramid treatment are those in which synovitis or OA has been diagnosed and localised to a specific synovial joint(s). It is essential to rule out any other underlying cause of lameness including fragmentation, fractures, systemic disease or other unknown factors such as local or systemic infection. Once these pathologies are resolved, treatment is appropriate.

What is the impact of synovitis and osteoarthritis on the quality of life of dogs?

Synovial inflammation (synovitis) causes synovial fluid to become less viscous and of poor quality. Inflammatory mediators, when present in the synovial fluid, result in a chronic state of synovitis and capsulitis. If left untreated, this will damage the articular cartilage and progress to irreversible OA over time. Synovitis is widely recognised as the primary source of the pain and inflammation of OA.

Chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis may impact several aspects of a dog’s life simultaneously, including gait and movement, sleep, cognitive abilities, and relations, both to their human family and other pets.

How is Arthramid different than other arthritis treatments?

Arthramid is a 2.5% injectable polayacrylamide hydrogel that acts as a dynamic tissue scaffold supporting the body’s natural immune response. After intra-articular injection, Arthramid adheres to the synovial lining, allowing the synovial tissue to grow into and through the hydrogel. Because macrophages are unable to phagocytose Arthramid, the hydrogel persists in the synovial membrane.

CELLULAR INFILTRATION & SCAFFOLDING
Acting as a scaffold, Arthramid integrates into the synovial membrane, restoring its function through improved mechanical properties, which in turn reduces inflammation and promotes joint health. A healthy synovial membrane provides benefits to the structure and function of the joint.

In many cases, improvements in joint capsule stability, synovial fluid composition, and slowing of the OA progression can be observed in response to Arthramid injection. A healthy synovium provides lubrication, nourishment and immune cells that protect the joint against infection, remove inflammatory mediators, and re-establish joint function.

LASTING, STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
Two weeks after the injection, Arthramid is fully integrated into the synovium, providing long-lasting restorative benefit to the synovial membrane. Restoration of synovial health by Arthramid, reduces pain and inflammation, which helps reestablish joint function and homeostasis.

How safe is Arthramid?

Arthramid is a biocompatible, non-resorbable hydrogel that has been used extensively in multiple species, including dogs and horses. It has a low incidence of adverse events, with most reactions being mild and transient. The product induces a low-grade, macrophage-driven response that responds well to anti-inflammatory treatment.

How can I learn to use Arthramid and inject joints?

Contura is committed to helping educate and resource veterinarians on how to use our product. For more information, head over to our resources page for:

Treatment Guides
Clinical Studies
Courses and Events
Latest News
Case Reports
Podcasts and Videos
Testimonials
Vet PD wet-labs and seminars

How do I order Arthramid?

Visit our contact page to find a distributor near you, or get in touch with our team — we’ll get back to you shortly.

Testimonials

Dr. Rachel Horsley

DOGWOOD VETERINARY HOSPITAL

“Arthramid should be a go-to for earlier OA management in small animals. It’s safe, long-lasting, and supports healthier joints.”

Dr. Julie Letosky

UP AND RUNNING CANINE REHABILITATION

“Arthramid has transformed how I treat osteoarthritis. It’s easy to administer, highly effective, and has redefined my approach to post-op recovery and OA management.”