The poster was recognised for tackling a major concern in osteoarthritis management.

Study highlights potential of faecal calprotectin as a monitoring tool.

A poster addressing a key challenge in the management of osteoarthritis has scooped a top award at the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Conference (VOACON) 2026.

The research explores the use of faecal calprotectin testing to identify gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs receiving long-term NSAID therapy.

Building on a previous study by Carus Animal Health and the University of Bristol, the poster was recognised for tackling a major concern in osteoarthritis management: balancing the benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with the need to monitor and proactively manage gastrointestinal (GI) health.

The risk of GI adverse effects is well documented, particularly in dogs requiring long-term therapy. Up to now, monitoring has been largely dependent on clinical signs, which only become apparent once GI inflammation is established.

This award-winning study highlights the potential of faecal calprotectin, a biomarker of intestinal inflammation widely used in human medicine, as a practical, non-invasive monitoring tool for veterinary patients.

Lucy Williams, marketing and veterinary technical services manager at Carus Animal Health, said: "Veterinary teams are becoming increasingly proactive in how they manage osteoarthritis patients. We know NSAIDs can have a hugely positive impact on quality of life, but clinicians are also looking for ways to monitor patients more closely and identify potential issues before they become clinically significant.

“The response to this research at VOACON reflects the profession's growing interest in objective biomarkers that can support more informed treatment decisions and enhance patient care."

Jovian Howell, director of Carus Animal Health, described the award as a “significant achievement” for the field of gastrointestinal biomarker research, adding: “It also reflects our wider commitment to research-led innovation. By working with academic institutions, research teams and technology partners, we are developing practical solutions across areas including point-of-care diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship and bacteriophage therapy.”

Image (C) Carus Animal Helath/Companion Consultancy.