Severe side effects in popular arthritis drug for dogs
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Jan. 6, 2025
I know we’ve been looking at a few heavy health topics lately, but…
The Dire Wolf Project is not just about creating a beautiful, healthy, long-lived large breed family companion dog.
It’s about you.
Our community.
Our family of devoted dog lovers.
We’ve been diving into some tough conversations recently.
I definitely understand that.
Life throws curveballs sometimes – ones you never expect.
And when they hit, they hit hard.
Maybe you've been there.
That moment when you’re doing everything right… yet something heartbreaking still happens.
It feels unfair.
Overwhelming, even.
And it’s exactly in those moments that you need someone to lean on.
That’s why we’re here.
Not just for the joyful puppy milestones and the victories.
But also for the heartbreaks.
The struggles.
The moments where words fail.
and all you need is a shoulder to cry on…
a heart to rely on.
We don’t shy away from the hard conversations.
Because being a part of this community means facing all parts of life together – the good, the bad, and the deeply emotional.
It’s why we offer a lifetime genetic health guarantee.
We stand by our work.
We believe every family deserves a companion they can love and trust for years to come.
That promise means everything to us.
You’re never alone here.
Thank you for being part of our family.
For trusting us.
For sharing your hearts with us.
We’ll keep doing our best – for you, for your dogs, for this incredible community we’ve built together.
And part of that is bringing you important news and health updates that cross our desk.
Which brings me to today’s topic.
There has been another recent serious health development in the greater dog world.
A new and instantly popular FDA approved osteoarthritis drug for dogs has now been shown to have severe side effects.
Librela, a monoclonal antibody developed by Zoetis for managing osteoarthritis pain in dogs, received FDA approval in May 2023.
While initially celebrated for its innovative approach to pain management, the drug has recently come under scrutiny due to reports of severe adverse effects, including:
- loss of muscle coordination,
- muscle weakness,
- lameness,
- paralysis,
- neurological issues,
- death.
The FDA has received over 3,600 adverse event reports between 2023 and March 2024 following Librela administration.
These reports have prompted the FDA to issue warnings to veterinarians and recommend updates to Librela's labeling to include a "Post Approval Experience" section that details potential neurological, urinary, and gastrointestinal side effects.
Among the reported cases is a 12-year-old Golden Retriever who, four days after receiving the first Librela injection, became recumbent and unable to lift his head, ultimately passing away six days later!
Another dog owner reported that their pet developed severe neurological symptoms shortly after receiving Librela, leading to euthanasia due to the rapid decline in health.
Despite these reports, Zoetis maintains that Librela is safe and effective, emphasizing that adverse events are rare relative to the over 21 million doses administered globally.
Dr. Richard Goldstein, the company's chief medical officer, stated, "We at Zoetis—and I personally—stand 100 percent behind Librela as safe and effective."
Initially, Librela's labeling listed mostly mild side effects, such as urinary tract and skin infections.
But when it comes to keeping our furry friends safe, slapping a label on a drug and calling it a day just doesn't cut it.
Real safety means staying vigilant after approval—because surprise side effects aren't fun for anyone.
Drug companies, regulators, vets, and pet owners need to work together like a well-oiled machine, keeping the lines of communication open to catch issues early and protect the ones who can’t protect themselves.
As you know, I do not like giving drugs to dogs.
I look at all the other options first before heading to a pill.
Especially a new one.
But we all want to trust the drug companies to do the research before a new drug comes out on the market.
In this case, beloved friends had to die because of lack of preparedness.
Please be mindful and watch out for your pet.
Ask the tough questions.
Make your veterinarian think and do the research before reaching for the bottle on the shelf.
If you are kind, but insistent, you may just help your dog receive better care, and a veterinarian give better care.
My heart aches for those families who’ve lost their pets like that.
It’s never easy to lose a beloved friend, especially one that has been with a family for more than a decade.
But again…
No matter what happens, the Dire Wolf Project is here for you and your DireWolf Dog.
We’ll help in any way we can.
Including providing you with extensive health information about our DireWolf Dogs down through the years.
Our health foundation lists:
- All of the reported health conditions since the beginning of the breed
- Links to all of the DNA data from over 250 dogs in the breed
- The Rainbow Bridge, capturing the loving memory of some amazing dogs
- And several health articles you might find helpful.
Before you purchase a puppy/dog from the Dire Wolf Project, be sure to do your research on the health within the breed.
Be prepared, and you’ll make the best decision for you, your family, and your next tail-wagging friend.
https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-dogs/our-health-foundation/
MOVIE MONDAY
Let’s lighten the mood a little with another sweet video featuring our beautiful American Dirus puppies from this winter.
This week, we’ll discuss what traits make a calm dog breed and find out if this type of dog is perfect for your family.
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs