Hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural glycosaminoglycan, has attracted much interest in veterinary medicine because of its viscoelastic, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerating attributes. These physicochemical and pharmacological properties of HA are due to its unique structure. In recent years HA has been commonly used for its applications in various veterinary fields either alone or in a combination with other therapeutic agents. This review article discusses the extensive clinical uses of HA and its combination in different animal species with an emphasis on its therapeutic potential in the regulation of joint disorders, tendinopathies, ocular diseases, wound healing, auditory brainstem responses, oral and dental tissue healing, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, intramuscular disorders, and soft tissue augmentation. Both topical and intra-articular preparations have been demonstrated to enhance mobility, relieve pain and inflammation of visceral organs, and facilitate tissue repair in osteoarthritis, corneal ulcers, and skin wounds. HA's function in enhancing performance and surgical recovery is also becoming appreciated in veterinary medicine. The review points out recent evidence, routes of delivery, and safety profiles of HA-based therapies, highlighting its increasing value as a multifaceted therapeutic tool in veterinary clinical practice.

To Cite This Article: Özaydın İ, Cihan M and Kılıç E, 2025. The therapeutic role of hyaluronic acid in veterinary medicine: a narrative review of clinical applications. Pak Vet J, 45(3): 947-960. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.263