Librela for Dogs
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has been available for decades in the human medical field, most often used to treat cancer and autoimmune disorders. MAbs are proteins that are made in a lab by replicating live cells to target specific molecules in the body. In the fall of 2024, the FDA approved Zoetis’s Librela, an mAb that binds with a molecule in dogs, nerve growth factor (NGF), associated with osteoarthritic (OA) pain. Specifically, Librela (active ingredient bedinvetmab) is a monthly injection that prevents NGF from transmitting pain signals to the brain. So cool!
Even though this medication is new in the US, it was approved in the European Union in 2020, and so we already have five years of safety and efficacy data.
Anecdotally, we have seen great success with Librela at Carbondale Animal Hospital, with very few side effects. It’s important to continue your dog’s injection monthly so that the circulating level of mAb maintains to keep blocking NGF.
Solensia for Cats
There is also a companion drug available for feline patients called Solensia. Osteoarthritis is often more challenging to diagnose in cats who tend to be more stoic (and less active, lol) than their canine counterparts. Clinical signs to look out for in your cat that may be experiencing pain from OA include:
- reluctance to jump up on objects
- increased hiding behavior
- hunched posture
- reduced interest in play
The same goes for dogs, especially changes in their ability to jump up on couches, beds, and vehicles, a stiff gait (more noticeable in the hind end), and reduced stamina on walks.
We always have Librela and Solensia in stock in the hospital and look forward to examining your pet and discussing if it would be a medication to improve your beloved animal’s quality of life.