Librela - a new option for pain relief for dogs with osteo arthritis

Natalie

Natalie

I took Monty for his annual check up last week. He's had some significant deterioration with his HD and Ed, with the osteoarthritis in his other joints getting a little worse. We also had his annual blood test done, and it showed higher levels (through still just within normal range) of creatine and urea, suggesting a possible kidney issue, not a complete surprise as he's been on a daily dose (60-100% as needed) of meloxicam for 6+ years We are taking in a urine sample this Friday when he goes for hydro.

The vet suggested he would be a good candidate for a new drug, Librela. I'm struggling to find much about it so far, it seems really new, this is from Zoetis:


ZAVENTEM, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) today announced that the European Commission has granted the company marketing authorization for Librela (bedinvetmab), the first injectable monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy approved in the European Union for monthly alleviation of osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs. Librela provides veterinarians a new treatment option, which effectively controls OA pain for a month, while also offering a positive safety profile.

Librela is the first-of-its-kind veterinary medicine that contains bedinvetmab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player in OA pain1 and in doing so reduces pain. It functions like naturally occurring antibodies, with minimal involvement of the liver or kidneys in its metabolism and elimination from the body; bedinvetmab also produces minimal gastrointestinal (GI) impact.After one injection of Librela, dogs with osteoarthritis exhibited increased mobility and decreased pain.

The benefits of this, and may particularly useful in Monty's case, would be that you can discontinue the NSAIDs and potentially just have this monthly injection as an alternative painkiller.

Has anyone heard of this new drug, or know anyone who has tried it?


Zoetis Receives European Commission Marketing Authorization for Librela® (bedinvetmab)

The first injectable monoclonal antibody authorized for alleviation of osteoarthritis pain in dogs Librela works differently from other pain medications, combining one month of pain control and increased mobility, with a proven safety and efficacy profile Librela has a unique mode of action...
news.zoetis.com news.zoetis.com

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Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
Natalie said:
I asked if it was anything like Cartrophen, as Monty has that that before, but vet said it was completely different. So difficult having these snatched conversations in the car park behind masks.
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Can you jot organise a phone consultation to discuss it further? That's what I did.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Natalie said:
I asked if it was anything like Cartrophen, as Monty has that that before, but vet said it was completely different. So difficult having these snatched conversations in the car park behind masks.
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Monoclonal antibodies are medications used very successfully in human rheumatoid arthritis and even psoriasis. There are various different types of of what are called "biologic medications" such as mABs, anti-TNF's and now anti -NGF's.

This new drug does look very effective at reducing pain, without the associated side effects that Monty is experiencing right now.
 
Natalie

Natalie

Thanks @Loraseal that's really useful, what does CAM stand for?
We are booked in on Friday for the first injection, nothing that I have read about it so far worries me, and the worse that would happen is that it's ineffective and we have to go back to meloxicam.
 
Natalie

Natalie

Monty has had his first Librela injection today, with the next one scheduled for four weeks tomorrow. We can stop meloxicam with immediate effect, though it can still be given as an extra painkiller if he has a flare up, as can paracetamol and tramadol which we use on occasion.
My vet practice specialise in rehab and pain management, and the vet owner said today they have another 6-7 dogs who have started on Librela already, some with severe / end stage arthritis, and in some cases the results have been really, really good.

I think the best results are seen after the second injection (sound familiar :wink: ) so I will update here. Just waiting on the results back of his urine sample today, too. (isn't that a fun job at 7.00am in your slippers and pjs?)
 
Natalie

Natalie

We are eight days post first injection. I wouldn't say there have been any miraculous results so far, in fact he's pretty much the same. This could be seen as a good thing, he hasn't had any NSAIDs ( meloxicam) since a week ago last Thursday. So if he maintains his movement and pain levels without the need for anti inflammatorys then that's decent. I am hoping for a bit more though... Maybe after the second injection 🤞
 
Natalie

Natalie

snowbunny said:
Julie H has been using it with her Tarka, and is seeing great results after only a handful of days. I’m guessing it is going to be more miraculous for some dogs than others.
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Yes, I saw that message on FB today which prompted me to make a note here. I've seen a few people mention they've noticed a difference after day 10, too.

He seems a bit grumpier with Bear this week, being a bit less tolerant of being trampled over. So wondered if his legs were a bit more sore than usual. But then who wouldn't get annoyed. Then on today's slow walk (at least twice a week he gets a very slow, sniffy walk without Bear) I thought he was moving quite nicely. 🤷🏼‍♀️.
 
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