Joint pain from arthritis is a common problem in older dogs. It can make simple things like walking, standing up, or playing much harder. A recent review article published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), of which I was a co-author, looked at a newer treatment option for dogs with arthritis.
This review article focuses on a treatment called Tin-117, also written as Sn-117m, which many veterinarians know by its commercial name, Synovetin OA.
What Is Tin-117 / Sn-117m (Synovetin OA)?
Tin-117 is a treatment that is injected directly into a painful joint. It works by calming down inflammation inside the joint lining. In arthritis, that lining becomes swollen and irritated, which causes pain and stiffness.
A simple way to think about it is this: arthritis makes the joint lining “angry,” and Tin-117 helps quiet it down. When inflammation is reduced, many dogs feel less pain and can move more comfortably.
What Does the JAVMA Review Article Explain?
This JAVMA review article brings together information from multiple research papers and clinical experiences to explain how Tin-117 works, how it is used, and what is currently known about safety and outcomes in dogs with arthritis.
Rather than testing a new treatment in a single experiment, a review article looks at the bigger picture. It helps veterinarians understand what has already been published, where the evidence is strong, and where more research is still needed.
Overall, the review article supports that Synovetin OA can reduce joint inflammation and improve comfort in many dogs, with a low risk of serious side effects when used appropriately.
How Does This Connect to My Earlier Blog Posts?
If this treatment sounds familiar, that’s because I’ve written about it before.
In my blog post, Radiosynoviorthesis for Osteoarthritis in People and What It Has to Do With Synovetin OA in Dogs, I explained how this idea started in human medicine. Doctors have used similar treatments in people for many years to manage joint inflammation, and that same concept has now been carefully adapted for dogs.
In another post, Synovetin OA: A Game Changer in Managing Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats, I discussed why this treatment may be an important option for certain dogs, especially those that cannot tolerate long-term pain medications or need more targeted joint care.
The new JAVMA review article builds on those ideas by pulling together peer-reviewed veterinary evidence, helping clarify where Tin-117 fits into arthritis management today.
What This Means for Dog Owners
For many dogs, Synovetin OA offers targeted joint treatment that can provide improved comfort and mobility for approximately 9–12 months, and in some cases even longer, after a single injection.
If your dog is struggling with arthritis, the next best step is to talk with your veterinarian or a veterinary specialist. Together, you can decide whether options like Synovetin OA, physical rehabilitation, weight management, medications, or a combination of treatments make the most sense.
Review articles like this one help veterinarians make informed, evidence-based decisions and ultimately help dogs live more comfortable, active lives.
The entire article is here, free of charge to read: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.08.0564/javma.25.08.0564.xml
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