February at Canine Arthritis Matters focuses on identification — and in this episode we explore what early identification of osteoarthritis could look like in the future.

Hannah Capon is joined by Dr Eva Hanks, CEO and founder of MI:RNA, to discuss the emerging role of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in detecting canine osteoarthritis at a molecular level.

We know that most dogs are diagnosed with OA once structural damage is already present. Subtle behavioural, postural and gait changes are often missed or dismissed. So what if we could detect disease before radiographic change, before overt lameness, before chronic pain becomes entrenched?

Dr Hanks explains what miRNAs are, how they function biologically, and why they may act as measurable indicators of early pathological change. This conversation explores the human evidence base, the current state of canine research, the challenges of variability between breeds and individuals, and whether the veterinary profession is ready to adopt biomarker technology as part of routine identification strategies.

This is a forward-looking discussion about moving from subjective suspicion to objective identification — and what that could mean for the future of canine osteoarthritis management.

Guest Bio

Dr Eva Hanks is CEO and founder of MI:RNA, a veterinary diagnostics company focused on early disease identification through biomarker technology combined with artificial intelligence. MI:RNA is a spin-out from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Dr Hanks began her career in busy mixed practice before returning to academia to complete an advanced certificate, followed by a PhD in immunology. She later worked as a clinical pathologist before launching MI:RNA in 2019, bringing together research, clinical insight and diagnostic innovation to improve early disease detection in companion animals.

5 Key Takeaways

1. We currently identify osteoarthritis too late, often after structural joint damage and chronic pain patterns are established.

2. MicroRNAs are regulatory molecules that reflect active biological processes and may allow identification of osteoarthritis at a molecular stage before visible joint changes occur.

3. Human meta-analyses show strong diagnostic accuracy for miRNAs in OA, but robust canine validation is essential before widespread clinical adoption.

4. Objective biomarkers could complement clinical assessment, helping bridge the gap between caregiver-reported subtle changes and definitive diagnosis.

5. Early identification opens the door to earlier lifestyle modification, weight management, activity optimisation and targeted intervention — shifting OA management towards prevention of progression rather than reaction to damage.

Relevant Links

MI:RNA

https://www.mirna.co.uk

Scottish Rural College (SRUC)

https://www.sruc.ac.uk

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode, Dr. Hannah Capon speaks with Dr. Rachel Dean about the complexities of identifying arthritis early, the need for better contextualised care, and the shared responsibilities between caregivers and professionals. They explore what evidence shows about how OA is actually recognised in practice, why early signs are routinely missed, and how communication, telemedicine and structured preparation can dramatically improve outcomes. Dr. Dean also discusses neutering evidence, the role of telemedicine for chronic disease, and why evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) underpins every decision we make. This conversation reinforces a core truth: early recognition of arthritis is achievable, but only if we broaden our observational habits, strengthen collaboration, and align interventions with real-world context.

GUEST BIO

Dr. Rachel Dean qualified in 1996 and has held influential roles across clinical practice, research, shelter medicine and academia. She is the founding director of the Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, former Associate Professor of Feline Medicine, Founding President of the Association of Charity Vets, and Editor-in-Chief of the BSAVA Manual of Shelter Medicine. She holds a Masters in evidence-based medicine, a PhD in epidemiology, a Diploma in feline medicine, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is now Director of Clinical Research and Excellence in Practice at VetPartners, leading their Clinical Board and Learning & Development teams.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Early arthritis is most often detected through subtle behavioural and lifestyle changes rather than clear lameness, making caregiver observations essential.

2. The Dean–Belshaw–Asher study shows a significant mismatch between what caregivers report and what clinicians focus on during consults, which can delay diagnosis.

3. Effective contextualised care requires collaboration: caregivers documenting changes and clinicians asking more precise, targeted questions.

4. Telemedicine can support earlier recognition by capturing movement, behaviour and environmental clues that are missed in-clinic.

5. Prevention and early management hinge on lifestyle adjustments, structured monitoring and proactive intervention, not necessarily costly treatments.

RELEVANT LINKS

Suspicion of Chronic Pain Tool

https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Could it be osteoarthritis? (Dean, Belshaw, Asher)

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/vetr.5488

Original paper PDF

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20230279084

Good Day Bad Day Diary – in the Member Zone

https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.

In this episode, Dr. Hannah Capon speaks with veterinary behaviour specialist Dr. Katrin Jahn about why arthritis is so often missed, how subtle behaviour and lifestyle changes can signal discomfort long before lameness appears, and how structured observation helps bridge the gap between caregivers, trainers and veterinary professionals. Together they explore the early indicators of chronic pain, the value of simple tools that guide objective reporting, and how better communication leads to earlier intervention and improved long-term welfare. This episode reinforces that arthritis is not just a mobility issue, but a whole-dog condition that requires careful observation, teamwork and timely action.

GUEST BIO

Dr. Katrin Jahn is a veterinary behaviour specialist and founder of Trinity Veterinary Behaviour, with extensive experience supporting complex behaviour and medical cases across multiple countries. Her work focuses on the intersection between emotional wellbeing and physical health, helping caregivers and professionals recognise when pain is influencing behaviour. Katrin is committed to promoting accessible tools, collaborative case management and improved welfare through better early identification of chronic pain.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Arthritis rarely starts with an obvious limp; behavioural and lifestyle changes are often the first clues

• Pain influences emotion, capability, mobility, and appearance – observing patterns over time is essential

• Trainers and caregivers play a crucial role in spotting early signs, and structured reporting improves accuracy

• Communication gaps between caregivers, trainers and vets often delay diagnosis

• Simple tools, used consistently, can guide earlier identification and therefore earlier intervention

• Chronic pain management requires shared responsibility across all professionals involved

• Prevention starts with knowing what to look for – observation is the foundation of early arthritis detection

RELEVANT LINKS

Suspicion of Chronic Pain Tool - [https://caninearthritis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Suspicion-of-Chronic-Pain-Observations-Form.pdf](https://caninearthritis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Suspicion-of-Chronic-Pain-Observations-Form.pdf "‌")

link to the tool in the memberzone - [https://caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/](https://caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/ "smartCard-inline")

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour – Professional Guides

https://www.trinityvetbehaviour.com

CAM Member Zone

https://caninearthritis.co.uk/memberzone

Learn more about CAM:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.