Combining bedinvetmab with physiotherapy may improve outcomes in canine hip osteoarthritis

A recent clinical study suggests that adding structured physiotherapy to bedinvetmab treatment could enhance pain control in dogs with hip osteoarthritis (OA), with measurable benefits emerging earlier than with drug therapy alone.

Interest in multimodal OA management continues to grow, particularly as practices look to optimise outcomes for chronic cases. This study provides controlled data to support combining pharmacological and rehabilitation approaches in first-opinion settings.

The methodology

The prospective, randomised clinical trial included 30 dogs diagnosed with hip OA. Dogs were allocated to one of two groups:

• bedinvetmab alone
• bedinvetmab plus physiotherapy

The physiotherapy protocol consisted of photobiomodulation (PBM) and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF), delivered twice weekly over a 90-day period.

Pain and function were assessed using both:

• owner-reported measures (Canine Brief Pain Inventory, CBPI)
• objective mechanical pain thresholds measured by algometry

Assessments were carried out at multiple time points up to day 90.

The results

Both groups showed significant improvement over time, confirming the expected benefit of bedinvetmab in managing OA pain.

However, dogs receiving combined therapy demonstrated:

• earlier improvement, detectable by day 15 on objective testing
• greater increases in pain thresholds compared with bedinvetmab alone
• statistically significant differences between groups from day 30 onwards, becoming more pronounced at later time points (days 60–90)

Owner-reported outcomes improved in both groups, but differences between treatments were less apparent using these subjective measures and more obvious in the objective measures.

Study limitations

This was a relatively small study (30 dogs) with a follow-up period of 90 days. Findings were limited to dogs with hip OA and to a specific physiotherapy protocol (PBM and PEMF), which may not reflect all rehabilitation approaches used in practice.

As a single study, the results should be interpreted cautiously until supported by larger trials.

The bottom line for practice teams

This study highlights the potential value of a multimodal approach including physiotherapy, particularly in dogs with more advanced or persistent pain. 

Objective assessment tools may also help to detect treatment differences that are less obvious to owners, supporting more informed case management over time.

Source: Veterinary Research Communications, study on bedinvetmab and physiotherapy in canine hip osteoarthritis, 2026.

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

ISVPS Nurse Certificate (NCert)

Apr 2026 Swindon

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