Evaluation of clinical efficacy of undenatured type II collagen supplementation compared to cimicoxib and their association in dogs affected by natural occurring osteoarthritis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 30 days treatment of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II (R)), compared to cimicoxib and to their combination, in osteoarthritic dogs. Client-owned dogs were enrolled in a clinical, randomized, controlled and prospective study. Posture, lameness, pain, range of motion and x-ray of affected joint(s) were evaluated and scored based on severity (CLINICAL score). The Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs survey was used to score the owner evaluation of dog's mobility (LOAD score and MOBILITY score). Osteoarthritis (OA) stage was defined through the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging tool (COAST). After diagnosis (T0), all patients were randomly assigned to different treatment groups: C group = cimicoxib 2 mg/kg/day orally OS, F group = UC-II (R) 1 tablet per day OS; C + F group = cimicoxib-UC-II (R) at the same previous dosages; CTR group = dogs who didn't received any treatment. All treatments were administered for 30 days. Seventy-six dogs completed the study. LOAD score was recorded significant lower after treatment for each group, with a reduction in percentage of 29.5% for C, 31.4% for F, 21.1% for C + F. LOAD score was lower in C(P = 0.04), F(P = 0.001) and C + F(P = 0.009) group at T30 than CTR group. MOBILITY and CLINICAL scores were significantly lower in all groups at T30, when compared to T0. MOBILITY score was lower than CTR in C(P = 0.02) and F(P = 0.01); CLINICAL score was lower in C + F(P = 0.016). The present findings prove that the treatment with UC-II (R), cimicoxib and their combination provide significant reduction in clinical signs associated with OA.