I don't think it's in the US yet, but it's not new in Europe/the UK. Canada finally got it - 'finally' I say.

It's a monoclonal antibody called Librela which neutralises nerve growth factor or something and deals with arthritis pain at the source.

Neb cannot take NSAIDs (kidneys, tummy; he used to), gabapentin - nothing - don't want to give an opiate unless absolutely necessary - CBD - little effect. We also tried cartrophen (different from carprofen, it's kind of like adequan near I can tell - Americans also don't seem to have it). He does take fish oil, has his whole life.

But he has arthritis that impacts him. On the one hand, he's 15 on April 18th - so what do you want - well, I want him to be healthy and happy.

Saturday was his first Librela shot (it's a monthly injection). Yesterday he only did one walk (I know!) - 2.15k - kinda slow, but he has slow days.

This morning. We wake up, he doesn't even sit up or lift his head. Just lies there. I'm trying to get him going to take him out - nope. Finally I succeed in getting him to get up, he kind of slides off our bed. Has two huge drinks, I don't think he got down all night. He's moving slowly and seems in discomfort. Hunching off and on. Panting. I get him out on his own - I think it took 10 minutes to walk 30 meters. He did one pee, a normal poop. Go in, the vet just opened. Call. Get an appointment for 11:30 this morning. I get the food ready - normally he barks in excitement - nothing, just pants. He does eat normally.

I start working but am freaking out. Toby lifts him up onto the couch and he settles. I call the vet back, what's the earliest appointment. They say to bring him now. So off we go (Toby doesn't work Fridays so had today off as a statutory holiday for Good Friday which is his regular weekend). He is walking a bit better and even lifts his tail a bit.

They see him - I'm convinced he's bloated or having such an adverse reaction to the Librela (which is what I'd initially figured) that we're going to lose him. Not that I ever overreact, but he was so poorly this morning, it was scary. He keeps perking up. By the time we're actually talking to the vet, he's even wagging his tail a bit. Temp low normal. Pulse fine. Lungs sound good. Gums healthy colour and bounce back. No pain reactions on palpitation or whatever it's called, and she was going so deep in his gut she could feel her hand on the other side. He's lost a slight bit of weight since Saturday but basically stable weight.

So - he's completely stable. She said, we could do a bunch of testing to see if we can find answers, but the likelihood is he's having an adverse reaction to the Librela. Which makes sense. Unless we see some sort of miracle recovery from arthritis pain (and even then) we will not be repeating the shot.

It's a shame because it's supposed to be life changing for many dogs. Toby's aunt is a vet in the UK and she was telling us about it when she visited in December. What great results they've seen. Apparently it's so benign (har) that when I was trying to look up adverse reactions all I found was 'soreness at the injection site'.

$150 plus tax for the shot (vet tech administered, so we don't pay for an appointment) - $170/month for this. I'd have gladly paid if it helped him, don't get me wrong.

Neb is still worn out and low energy, uncomfortable moving around, but he's not hunched, okay getting on the couch (less enthused about getting off). My poor love. I nearly burst into tears of relief when they said he was stable.

I've been stress eating all day! A friendly acquaintance I know through vegan stuff who lives a couple of buildings over was holding a vegan bake sale today (raising money for a dog rescue). She does it every year. I think it's partially to raise money, partly to get people to be like 'I could still eat cupcakes if I was vegan!'. Anyways, I went over and picked up some cupcakes. Mmmm icing!

Sorry about Neb but glad you caught it in time. Interestingly enough, my youngest is studying in the UK and her dog also has arthritis. I mentioned Solensia to her but the vet had talked about Librela. It's my understanding they're very similar. Anyway, her dog is not at the point where he needs it just yet but I will definitely tell her what happened to Neb. I hope Neb recuperates without any other side effects.

Thanks SRM.

Timothy had a couple of doses of solensia. We didn't see huge changes (other than him signalling amorous intentions towards Neb, which would not be returned, shall we say). We gave it 60 days and have elected to hold off and see if there's any noticeable difference off solensia (discussed with vet) given the lack of change we saw.

They're both by zoetis, not the same medication, which I find odd, but basically the cat/dog versions.

It is so hard to tell with new meds whether they will help or you'll end up with a zonked dog. I'm wondering if Neb's age impacted the way he handled the med? That's me reflecting on BTE2's experience with pain meds last year. Standard ones didn't metabolize the way they do in younger dogs = very zonked dog.

Glad he is recovering. Hope that continues and might as well hope that the shot whacks the arthritis even if you won't give it again. Might as well get some benefit from it.

Thanks Middle. I think at the least when he did have an adverse reaction it was as bad as it was because of his age. When you're old, everything can be more serious (or such is my experience from Luc, and while I am a baby at 44, I remember what I was like in my 20s - if I don't rebound as easily now, why would 15 year old Neb?)

I hope it does help, even if it is just short term relief. He's sleeping comfortably now and we'll take them out for their pre-bed pee shortly. He walked around the south yard at 5:30 (shortly after I posted) which is a huge improvement.

And to think I thought he was sick last Easter with diarrhea and vomiting! I mean, he was, but that's a fond memory!

I was woken by Neb licking me! He's moving a bit faster (still slow) but far more normally. He's continuing to improve, thank goodness.

Yeah, that must have been scary-you drew a very clear, frightening picture.

Thank goodness, he's recovering. I hope you all feel better.

I spoke too soon. My daughter texted they gave Librella to their dog today, he's approximately 10 yrs. old. I know they had tried more conventional supplements but didn't know they were going to give the med this soon. She said he will get it monthly and if it helps they will try to stretch it out longer. I'll keep you posted.

Hopefully it helps him. I did a bunch of googling and it generally seems fairly benign, so maybe Neb was a bit under the weather and it just pushed him too much? I'm honestly not sure. But he was VERY excited for his afternoon feeding today and is moving around more normally - neighbours have noticed too