Librela

[PRH]

Hi,

Anyone with experience of Librela? It is an artificial antibody which effectively reduces the level of pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain. My old lab Willow had a jab 3 months ago and it made no discernible difference, but the second jab (larger dose, she is on the weight threshold) worked well. I've just taken her back for her third jab. There is a clear cycle, she is more mobile and greater range of movement until week 4 when the effects wear off and she appears to stiffen up. At £86 a pop it isn't cheap, but in every other way she is fine, a bit short sighted and a bit deaf (join the club) but eating well and wanting to go out for a walk etc.

I just wondered if anyone on here had experience of it?

Thanks

Paul

[Stacia]

My 10 year old Lab is on Librela and has been for some time, I don't know if it is working or not, but prepared to give it a try. He is on the weight cusp so had been on the smaller dose, this time he had the larger dose at an eye watering £114!!!!!!! My insurance has run out as well, so very expensive but am prepared to give it to him. He cannot take Metacam or any NSAID as it makes his stomach bleed. Rourke is very lame but seems happy enough

[PRH]

The difference with Willow when it wears off is marked. I can't help thinking the drug companies have developed it deliberately to wear off after x weeks...

[Stacia]

It will be interesting to see if Rourke goes down as the higher dose wears off. It is encouraging to read how your dog Willow is benefiting so well. It would be interesting to know if the drug was deliberately made to wear off after a month or so, I would like to think that would be unethical.

[munstyman]

I think we have seen over the last three years with the `situation' that pharmaceutical companies aren't in the business of `ethics' only profits. There are questions regarding the separation of beneficial medicines, both for human and animal from excessive profiteering by pharmaceutical companies. That is a whole other topic
However in this case I would imagine that being a therapeutic its effects are only temporary by nature not by design with the body breaking the protein down over time.

[Miesque]

The difference with Willow when it wears off is marked. I can't help thinking the drug companies have developed it deliberately to wear off after x weeks...

The body breaks down the monoclonal antibodies over that time, can't prevent that

[Stacia]

Thanks, that is interesting and explains it all.

[PRH]

Thanks Miesque, that is good to know.