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

Chris

Chris

Just writing with the latest on Smithy and the Librela. He is due for the next one on 5th August - so far a very obvious improvement in the front lameness, in fact he's taking the weight on the bad front leg almost like normal. So brilliant to see him not sore in front and a much happier chappie. The hind legs are still a bit of a worry but that's more due to lack of muscle and general weakness (old age). We are doing hydrotherapy and physio to help with that. He's still on 300mg Tramadol and 100mg Carprieve a day. I do drop the occasional Tramadol here and there and the hope would be to cut it out altogether. I can't bear the thought of seeing him lame again so very reluctant to do too much fiddling with the meds - will talk to the vet next week. The only prob at the mo is he has suddenly become deeply suspicious of the cheese in which I was hiding the tramadol capsules, was gobbling them up easy peasy, but then all of a sudden he won't eat the cheese any more, even if there's nothing hidden in it ! So then I went to spicy chorizo sausage and that worked for a few days until he got suspicious and then wouldn't eat that. It depends how hungry he is I think :hearteyesdog:
 
C

ChowsRFab

Hi All, I don't have a Lab but I do have a 10yr old Chow Chow with advanced OA who has been on Librela for 5 months. Just thought it may be of interest if I told her story. Gemma ruptured her cruciate ligament at 8 months old, the start of all her problems. She went to an orthopaedic specialist for a repair, he used the MMP (Modified Macquet Procedure) surgical technique to stabilise it. It was completely successful and she had no more trouble until she was 7yrs old when we noticed that she was uncomfortable on the leg and was not using it as she should. Back she went to the specialist where after X-Rays and a camera investigation they discovered that the meniscus in her knee had become 'folded over', can happen after ligament surgery as angle of knee is altered. Anyway that was repaired but whilst taking x-rays discovered that she had severe OA in the knee, also, but not as bad in other knee, both hips and one elbow. Not good news. She has since had Aquamid once (silicone based lubricant) injections to both knees and also Platelet Enhancement Therapy 3 times. The PET is expensive and only lasts about 6 months. She is also on Yumove Advance (supplement) and Galliprant (OA targeted anti inflammatory). We tried cartrophen injections and K-lazer therapy but couldn't see any noticeable difference. In March 21 my specialists' nurse telephoned me to tell me about Librela. Made an appointment at my vet and she had her 1st injection on 1st April 21 she has just had her 5th today. We are pleased to say that we have noticed a considerable improvement in her. It has by no means turned her into a puppy but she now sleeps less, eats better, moves more freely and is more interested in other dogs and in going for her walks. She is no longer lame in her elbow and she is using her back legs when she get up from lying down. We also noticed her playing by herself in the garden with a ball, rolling and jumping around, something she hasn't done for a very long time. It was such a pleasure to see her happy, it makes you realise how unhappy she actually was. As it is such a gradual deterioration you don't really notice. So for us Librela is a success for the moment, only time will tell if it continues. We are continuing with the Yumove Adv but I am considering trying CBD oil and perhaps then we can forego the Galliprant! My vet got me to fill in a questionnaire before she started the Librela (Liverpool osteoarthritis in dogs) load-b-editablepdf-initlvisit-2017.pdf (siriusvet.com) it was devised by Liverpool University and it is very good at giving you a starting point, you can then do it every month to see if there are changes. I get my husband to answer the questions as an unbiased observer. I would recommend filling it in. Unfortunately her insurance renewal for this year was 2k and they have now excluded her leg issues, so she is now not insured but the 2k will hopefully go a long way towards her ongoing treatment.
 
Natalie

Natalie

Hi @ChowsRFab, thank you for sharing your story. Really glad you are getting some benefit from the Librela.
I'm not quite sure what I think of Galliprant yet - Monty has been on it around ten days, and I find having to feed it on an empty stomach (like, when does a Lab ever have an empty stomach?!) an hour before meals is quite a faff.

I'm also waiting for a call back so we can book in our Platelet Rich Plasma therapy in for the end of August. Did you find it worked for you? I assume it must have if you used it three times? Can you tell me a bit more about the recovery period from it? I'm about to ask the vet what it'll cost, when she told me about it 3-4 years ago I thought it was in the few hundred pound range, but that didn't include al the cost of a GA.

That's pants about your insurance company ruling out leg issues - and 2k a year? wow. I think you've beaten @JES72 's recent renewal quote for her boy Homer.
 
C

ChowsRFab

Hi, We originally had Gemma on Metacam and she was on it for nearly 3 years and then suddenly she began acting very strange, panting heavily, very distressed and unsettled and then upset tummy. Specialist said stop Metacam and try the Galliprant. She has now been on it for just over a year. I can't honestly say it had a miraculous effect any more than the metacam but it has no side effects for her. If only they could tell us how they were feeling life would be so much easier and cheaper. You want to give them enough meds to stay pain free but not more than they need. I'm happy that the balance is OK for now only time will tell. Chows are not greedy dogs so she has her tablet in the morning hidden in Dairylea Triangle, she often doesn't eat until night time, her food can be down all day but she wont eat until she's hungry.
I've just looked up her Platelet treatment and it looks like the PET was about £600 + anaesthetic so approx £750. The recovery period is quite quick about a week from memory. She had 3 lots over 2 years and there is another dose in their freezer for if I feel she needs it again, but I'm holding that in reserve for the time being. Good luck with Monty all we can ever do is our best for them.
 
J

Jintie

Hi Folks

I don't have a lab either but found my way to the forum whilst Googling Librela. I just thought it may be helpful to add my experience of this injection.

I have Border Collies. The eldest is a whisker short of 13 and suffers from OA in his shoulder. About a year ago he also seemed to have some problems with his back or hips. He was put on Loxicom (Metacam). He was "okay" but not brilliant and a y problems we put down to the general decline of ageing. At his annual review blood tests showed low liver readings & protein loss. He had developed loose bowels and frequent diarrhoea. His coat was dull and general condition not quite up to par. I was also convinced his muscle condition was weaker....but again put it down to age. The Vet recommended Librela. The Loxicom was stopped, he was put on a high protein diet (fish, eggs, cottage cheese, chicken) Subsequent blood tests showed improvement after a month, six weeks later back to normal levels. After his second injection he was showing brilliant improvement. He's running around like an eight year old, has about 2 hours off-lead exercise a day. He'd run for his ball the whole time if we let him. His coat is back to gleaming. His muscle bulk/tone has returned. There have been zero side effects and we have a fit, healthy, happy dog again. He's due his 3rd injection next week but I have to report that from our experience, I'd recommend Librela without hesitation.
 
Loraseal

Loraseal

Location
The Hague, The Netherlands
HI @Jintie and @ChowsRFab.
Welcome to our forum.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
I am off to the vets today for our free weigh in/say hello and I am going to book Hunter in for a Librela injection as she has to order it.
He will only be 4 in September but I saw a lady at the beach and she had also had a young chocco lab with ED and had started using Librela with much improved movement.
Also thanks to @Natalie and the infamous Monty who are helping other dog owners :heart:
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
Welcome @ChowsRFab and @Jintie. Jintie it is so good to read such a positive post. My Lab has arthritis in his L Hind hock, doesn't put weight on that leg, cannot take Metacam or any medication of that ilk. He is on small dose of prednisolone every other day and CBD drops. He is much better if he has a good hour of free exercise, but swimming makes it worse! I will certainly keep Librela for future use now after your useful post, thank you.
 
J

Jintie

Jelinga said:
Welcome @ChowsRFab and @Jintie. Jintie it is so good to read such a positive post. My Lab has arthritis in his L Hind hock, doesn't put weight on that leg, cannot take Metacam or any medication of that ilk. He is on small dose of prednisolone every other day and CBD drops. He is much better if he has a good hour of free exercise, but swimming makes it worse! I will certainly keep Librela for future use now after your useful post, thank you.
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I would certainly consider it. The good news is that it is barely processed through the liver or kidneys and is a synthetic antibody as opposed to a "drug" (I believe) so it doesn't produce the potential side effects of NSAI's. I'm told that occassionally it doesn't work because the dog can sometimes produce it's own antibodies that work against it if it notices Librela as an imposter. There's no way of knowing if this will happen but generally, it doesn't & there's no harm done, it simply doesn't work.

It's a shame about the swimming, and odd isn't it. One of my late dogs was paralysed,aged three, due to a blood clot....swimming g was a life saver for him. The other thing that worked wonders was magnetic field therapy, often used for injury in racing greyhounds. We bought our own unit which was built into the base of a dog crate.
 
Natalie

Natalie

Thanks for the additional info @ChowsRFab on PRP.

Forgot to mention Monty had his fourth Librela injection last Friday, luckily it came back into stock just as he was due.

I'm finding it really hard to measure any improvements in the warm weather. He does have these occasional little spurts though, and has been playing with Bear quite a bit - we have to intervene as Bear plays naughty and grabs Monty's legs which is a pretty low trick. Also noticed what I think are a few side effects. He is licking a lot throughout the night. Not always himself but us, and the bedcovers. Also he is getting up in the early hours to have a drink which he never did before. Both seem to be side effects associated with Librela.
 
J

Jintie

I'm not saying it isn't a side effect but (if I've understood the way it works), can't see why this would happen as it's an antibody rather than a drug, as such. The only listed side effect seems to be local irritation at site of injection. I was told (mentioned in earlier post) that sometimes it doesn't work if a dog subsequently produces own antibodies in response to the imposter (Librela). I've had this licking situation with my dogs sometimes, usually in response to nausea or stress. I wonder if this could be the case rather than it being the Librela
 
Natalie

Natalie

Jintie said:
I'm not saying it isn't a side effect but (if I've understood the way it works), can't see why this would happen as it's an antibody rather than a drug, as such. The only listed side effect seems to be local irritation at site of injection.
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This was my understanding, too. The increased water drinking I could almost discount, possibly - as he's started to drink more from around the start of the year. The licking I'm a bit flummoxed by, though - and it's not always licking, but the sort of noise and movement we would make if we had a hair stuck in our mouth and we are trying to get rid of it. I've had two different vets check for any teeth or mouth issues and they can't find anything wrong. It's a bit like he's trying to generate saliva maybe?

Nothing else has changed other than coming off long term meloxicam and I don't think there's any withdrawals symptoms linked to that. It's just a bit odd that anecdotally, some other people are saying something similar.
 
J

Jintie

Strange, I wonder if he could have anything like a polyp further down his throat, hence the drinking & throat clearing maybe trying to shift it.
 
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