If you work in vet practice, you will have encountered many cases of osteoarthritis across the duration of your career. In fact, it is estimated that around 30 to 50 per cent of cats and dogs are likely to be affected by the condition during their lifetime.[i] Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) remain one of the first management choices clinicians reach for, and broadly speaking they are very effective at managing pain and aiding mobility. However, one of the most common side effects of NSAIDs are GI effects which can include vomiting, diarrhoea or inappetence all the way up to more severe adverse effects such as GI lesions or haemorrhage.

The impact of NSAIDs on gastrointestinal health

Long-term NSAID therapy has transformed the management of osteoarthritis, allowing many patients to remain comfortable and active for years. However, maintaining these benefits relies on more than effective pain control alone. During treatment, clinicians must also consider the impact on gastrointestinal (GI) health, balancing analgesic efficacy with ongoing patient safety.

Evidence indicates that GI mucosal injuries may develop in some dogs who receive NSAID therapy before these overt clinical signs become apparent. For instance, one endoscopic study indicated that 83% of dogs receiving ongoing chronic NSAID treatment had GI erosions when being treated for more than six months.[ii] This highlights the importance of patient monitoring throughout treatment to promote early identification and support potential adjustments of treatment plans to preserve GI health.

A biomarker for gastrointestinal health

Due to evidence widely associating NSAIDs and GI inflammation and upset, finding a way to identify inflammation in the GI tract early is critical to finding resolving associated symptoms. Faecal calprotectin provides an answer to this. Measured non-invasively through a faecal sample, it is an objective way of evaluating intestinal inflammation.

Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein that is released during inflammation, making it a well-established biomarker used to identify inflammation within the body. Rather than replacing clinical judgement, using calprotectin as an objective biomarker offers a non-invasive way to discover information on the state of a pet’s GI health. This can show proactivity of risk-assessment and support communication with the owner.

This approach was recently highlighted at VOACON 2026, where Carus Animal Health presented research in partnership with the University of Bristol, which investigated the impact of faecal calprotectin’s ability to detect GI inflammation in dogs after the use of NSAIDs. The study found that after 14 days of NSAIDs, 25% of dogs exceeded the faecal calprotectin threshold despite no recorded clinical signs.

Alongside the study findings, the award-winning poster reinforced the value of incorporating faecal calprotectin testing into routine monitoring for dogs with prolonged NSAID use forming part of their treatment plan. The research provides compelling reasoning to include monitoring tools to detect GI inflammation early in these patients.

The role of GIQuest

GIQuest has been developed to monitor GI inflammation in cats and dogs and shows particular promise in those patients on long term NSAIDs. For convenience, it is a patient-side lateral flow assay that rapidly measures faecal calprotectin, providing a non-invasive assessment of GI inflammation. It provides valuable information when monitoring patients receiving long-term NSAID therapy by offering an objective biomarker that complements clinical examinations and contributes to a more comprehensive picture of overall GI health.

GIQuest is designed specifically to support evidence-based clinical decision-making. It can help to identify instances where patients could benefit from a more thorough examination or closer monitoring and can also identify those that don’t – meaning clinical attention and owner spend is used where it is needed most. As it only requires a stool sample, GIQuest acts as a patient-side system that is easy to use and interpret, potentially negating the need to immediately pursue a more invasive diagnostic approach which can be hugely beneficial especially in older pets with OA that often have comorbidities. The test is also easily repeatable, with no need for sedation, making serial measurements easy to gather. The results help to build a picture of progress over time for patients receiving long-term NSAID therapy.

Carus is offering a free Lunch & Learn session to discuss GIQuest with interested veterinary professionals. As well as providing CPD, a free sample of the GIQuest test is also provided for the attending practice.

To take advantage of this, you can book your session here: https://content.carusanimalhealth.com/giquest-book-a-lunch-and-learn.

Or, for more information on GIQuest, you can download the GIQuest guidelines, or get in touch with the Carus Animal Health team.

In summary, NSAIDs remain a cornerstone of OA management, providing effective pain relief and symptom management. However, balancing this treatment with GI safety is a primary concern both for the patient and the client. Incorporating faecal calprotectin testing in a non-invasive way can help vets to optimise long-term NSAID therapy and stay on top of GI health during the course of prolonged NSAID treatment, allowing professionals to spot signs of inflammation at the early stage before symptoms of discomfort develop.

[i] https://improveinternational.com/uk/news/survey-reveals-cat-and-dog-owners-are-mistaking-osteoarthritis-pain-for-normal-signs-of-aging

[ii] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7995375/