What’s the REAL Truth About Librela and Solensia Injections for Pets?
Two New Breakthrough Drugs for Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Librela for Dogs, Solensia for Cats
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Recently, the FDA approved two new arthritis drugs for dogs and cats. These are Librela for dogs and Solensia for cats, both made by Zoetis, a company in the animal health industry. These drugs have quickly become multi-million-dollar products. But with their rise in popularity, there are some important things pet parents need to know, especially about potential side effects.
What Are These New Drugs?
Librela and Solensia are unique because they are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which target a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF plays a crucial role in arthritic pain. When NGF is released, it increases the inflammatory response, worsening pain in your pet.
These drugs work by blocking NGF, which helps reduce pain differently from traditional anti-inflammatory drugs used in pets. The commercials make it look simple—your dog or cat gets a monthly injection from the vet, and voilà, they’re pain-free. In fact, the companies claim that up to 80% of pets respond positively to these injections.
Why These Drugs Appeal to Pet Owners
As a pet owner, the appeal is clear. For instance, my cat Murray hated pills. If I could have given him a monthly injection instead of daily medication, it would have made my life much easier—if it were safe. Many dogs and cats don’t take pills easily, and the idea of one injection that keeps them pain-free sounds like a dream.
But there’s more to the story.
Reports of Side Effects in Europe
These drugs have been available in Europe since 2021, and since then, over 15,000 adverse events have been reported with Librela and more than 8,600 for Solensia.
Some of the side effects reported in dogs include:
- Neurological problems (e.g., wobbliness, ataxia)
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Urinary incontinence (dribbling urine)
- Increased drinking and urination
- Kidney disease
- Vomiting
- Lameness
- Pain at the injection site
- Skin cysts
- In rare cases, death
In cats, side effects have included:
- Severe skin issues, such as excessive scratching leading to self-mutilation
- Weakness
- Behavioral changes
- Drooling
- Urinary incontinence
- Increased drinking and urination
- Organ damage, including kidney issues
Manufacturer and Veterinarian Response
Zoetis, the manufacturer, claims that millions of doses have been administered and that adverse events are minimal, stating that less than 0.1% of pets experience side effects. The FDA, however, has addressed some of these adverse events, even sending a letter to Zoetis regarding misleading claims about the drug’s safety and efficacy. Changes have been made, but it’s crucial for pet owners to understand the potential risks.
One major concern is that while the drugs block NGF to reduce pain, NGF is also essential for nerve development and healing. Some veterinarians worry that these drugs could interfere with healing, especially if pets have underlying conditions like a torn ACL or nerve damage.
The Safety Study Limitations
When Zoetis conducted their safety studies, they tested these drugs on healthy animals—dogs and cats without other health conditions. But what about pets with arthritis and kidney disease, or a dog with both arthritis and a nerve injury? These weren’t considered in the studies, which is why we’re seeing more side effects in pets with underlying health issues.
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Should You Use These Drugs for Your Pet?
Now, should you consider Librela for your dog or Solensia for your cat? Before jumping to these new drugs, I highly recommend exploring holistic and alternative options. For example:
- Weight loss (if needed)
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Heat therapy or cold laser
- Injectable glycosaminoglycan (Adequan)
- Acupuncture, acupressure
- CBD oil
- Curcumin (95%)
- Boswellia
- Magnesium
These options are not only effective for many pets but are also far less likely to cause side effects.
However, if your pet is in severe pain and you’ve tried holistic treatments without success, and if your pet has no underlying health issues like kidney or liver disease, then you might consider trying these drugs. But please make sure you’ve exhausted the other options first. If conventional anti-inflammatory drugs haven’t worked and your pet is still suffering, then Librela or Solensia may be worth considering.
In my experience, most pets benefit greatly from holistic treatments, and these are often much safer than some of the newer drugs on the market. Would I use Librela for my dog, Tula? No. Would I use Solensia for my next cat? Absolutely not. If I wouldn’t inject myself with a monoclonal antibody monthly, I’m certainly not going to inject my pets with one.
If your dog is limping and responds well to something like CBD, then that’s a great route to take. Thank you for watching this edition of Veterinary Secrets. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell for notifications! And if you click the link below, I can send you a free copy of my book on natural pet health.
Stay informed and take care of your pets.
