We’re excited to share that we now carry Librela, a first of its kind treatment for canine osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Osteoarthritis is a progressively worsening inflammation of the joint caused by the deterioration of cartilage. In cases of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to break down because of factors such as age, injury, repetitive stress, or disease. The loss of this protective cushion results in pain, inflammation, decreased range of motion, and the development of bone spurs.
Librela is the first and only monthly anti-NGF (nerve growth factor) monoclonal antibody injection approved to provide long-term canine OA pain control. It works differently than NSAIDs by reducing NGF effects, a key factor in canine OA pain. Unlike NSAIDs, Librela is approved as safe and is metabolized and eliminated like naturally occurring antibodies with minimal involvement of the liver or kidneys. It is a monthly subcutaneous injection, administered at the clinic by veterinary professionals and was shown to reduce canine OA Pain, leading to increased activity and improved quality of life. Two clinical studies showed that adverse events for the 273 Librela-treated dogs were similar to what would be expected for this population of dogs with OA.
If you think your dog may have OA Pain, we encourage you to take videos of your dog’s daily activities and write down notes about changes in behavior. You can then discuss them together with your vet at their next appointment. If you think your dog would benefit from Librela, call us at 540-776-0700 to schedule an appointment or to discuss Librela further. We’re excited to see how Librela may help reduce your dog’s OA pain!
Check out a before and after video of a dog with OA on Librela: