Canine OsteoArthritis Staging ToolThis COAST helps you and your clients identify the signs of OA while providing an objective baseline and subsequent success metrics for initiated therapy.

Patient Name:_________________________

Owner Name:_________________________

Date: _________________________________

0 1 2 3

Static Posture

Normal

Breed-appropriate with proper limb loading and

normal body weight distribution between

forelimbs and hindlimbs.

Mildly Abnormal

Subtle abnormality in limb loading and light shift in body weight distribution.

Moderately Abnormal

Obvious abnormality in limb loading and obvious shift in

body weight distribution.

Severely Abnormal

Stands with difficulty and unease. Severe shift in

body weight distribution.

Motion

Normal

Fluent and symmetric gait with appropriate

weight bearing and body weight distribution.

Mildly Abnormal

Subtle lameness, asymmetry and gait

stiffness. Possible impact with some activities, yet no

difficulty getting up.

Moderately Abnormal

Consistent gait abnormalities and some

difficulty getting up, obvious stiffness, change in body weight, and reduction

in use of affected limb.

Severely Abnormal

Severe weight shift and lameness. Has difficulty

getting up and struggles.

Grade the Dog

EVA

LUA

TIO

N B

Y V

ETER

INA

RIA

N

Grade the Joint

EV

ALU

ATIO

N B

Y V

ETE

RIN

AR

IAN

Input the dog’s results in the chart below.

GRADE THE DOG GRADE THE JOINT OVERALL SEVERITY

LEVELOWNER

QUESTIONNAIREPOSTURE MOTION

PAIN UPON MANIPULATION

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

RADIOGRAPHS

Level (highest number)

Next, plot the Overall Severity Level in the chart at the bottom on the reverse page. This will determine the dog’s Stage of OA.

LEVEL of POSTURE

LEVEL of MOTION

0 1 2 3

Pain Upon Manipulation

None Mild Moderate Severe

Passive Range of Movement

Normal Mildly Abnormal

Slight joint thickening with minimal ROM

reduction and no crepitus.

Moderately Abnormal

Obvious joint thickening with obvious ROM

reduction and muscle atrophy.

Severely Abnormal

Extremely limited ROM with severe muscle

atrophy, joint thickening and crepitus. Anatomical misalignment and loss of normality on palpation.

Radiography

No Signs of OA

If preclinical “at risk,” the dog may have

evidence of risk factors such as dysplasia

and/or trauma, excess weight, age.

Mild Signs of OA

Early signs of OA and minimal osteophytes.

Moderate Signs of OA

Obvious osteophytes.

Severe Signs of OA

Advanced osteophytes and remodeling.

LEVEL of PAIN

LEVEL of ROM

LEVEL from RADIOGRAPH

© 2020, American Regent, Inc. PP-AC-US-0248 04/2020

OVERALL SEVERITY LEVEL DESCRIPTION STAGE

OF OA

0 PRECLINICALwith no apparent risk factors. 0

0PRECLINICAL / AT RISK

Patient owns at least one predisposing factor for OA apparent e.g. breed predisposition, joint injury, obesity, intense activity and/or

radiographic signs of dysplasia or joint trauma

1

1 MILD 2

2 MODERATE 3

3 SEVERE 4

Use the Stage of OA as an objective baseline for which to

compare future examinations to assess the success or need for OA treatment or change of treatment.

Determine The Stage of Osteoarthritis (OA)Once you have examined the dog and obtained the discomfort/pain questionnaire from the patient’s owner, you can determine the dog’s Overall Severity and Stage of OA. A few things to remember:

• The highest input for “Grade the Dog” and “Grade the Joint” will determine the overall grade for that section.• The highest grade from evaluating the dog or the joint equates to the patient's final stage of OA.• Re-evaluate if there is a noticeable grade disparity between the dog and joint results.

The COAST is a proposal for a standardized staging system for canine (OA).

COAST Development Group: T. Cachon, O. Frykman, J.F. Innes, B.D.X. Lascelles, M. Okumura, P. Sousa, F. Staffieri, P.V. Steagall, B. Van Ryssen.

STAGE of OA

How to use this staging tool:1

Early diagnosis of canine osteoarthritis (OA) is critical for optimal therapy outcomes for the progressive disease. Canine osteoarthritis staging tools help you and your clients identify the signs of OA while providing an objective baseline and subsequent success metrics for initiated therapy.

Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool

Pre-visit evaluation

by pet owner

Initiate or adjust

treatment as required

Stage OA

Grade the Dog(Assess the patient)

By the owner

By the veterinarian

Grade the Joints(Assess the patient)

By the veterinarian

Determinefinal score

Repeat at appropriate intervals

1 2

Step 1 Obtain the Pet

Owner Questionnaire

Step 4 Assess an OA stage based on the results

of steps 1-3.

Step 5 Repeat COAST

assessment at follow up appointments.

Step 2 & 3