Hopefully, everyone has read my series “Vaccinating Your Pets – What You Should Know” Parts 1 through 5, watched the SOL morning show covering the series, and are aware of the risk involved in not only vaccinating your fur babies; but, aware of the increased dangers of over-vaccinating your pets. If not, please read and watch then continue your research into the issues of pet vaccination. In the meantime, there are other injections for pet conditions that can be harmful to your pet. One such injection is Librela (Beransa, Solensia) for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.

This drug, generic name of bedinvetmab, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year for use in dogs with osteoarthritis. However, this drug has been linked to serious health issues and even fatalities.

What is Librela (Beransa, Solensia) or bedinvetmab?

Librela, approved in May 2023, is the first mAb the FDA has approved for use in dogs. Librela is a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody (mAb), bedinvetmab, therapy for dogs with osteoarthritis pain. (Note: Librela is sold by Zoetis, a spinoff from Pfizer) Solensia (frunevetmab) is the same type of mAb therapy approved for use in cats.

Antibodies are parts of your immune system. They seek out the antigens (foreign materials) and stick to them in order to destroy them. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a laboratory produced using a biological manufacturing process involving live cells. Monoclonal antibodies are clones of a single antibody, meaning they are exact copies of one antibody. They are produced by cloning a unique white blood cell, and all subsequent antibodies are derived from that cell. (Note: the “mab” at the end of the name denotes it as a mAb) Monoclonal antibodies bind to specific targets in the body and are used for diagnosis, disease treatment and research.

How does it work?

This monoclonal antibody binds to canine nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein elevated in dogs with osteoarthritis.

What does NGF do?

The involvement of nerve-growth factor in pain sensation is mainly a result of its interaction with a cell receptor called tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA). Normally when NGF binds to TrkA receptors it leads to the production of chemical transmitters (such as substance P) that are involved in pain sensation and the release of inflammatory substances from immune cells. 

The inability of bedinvetmab-bound nerve-growth factor to interact with TrkA receptors that are involved in pain sensation leads to a reduction in pain. Binding of the mAB to NGF thereby prevents the pain signal from reaching the brain and interacting with its receptors.

So, what is happening is the monoclonal antibody, bedinvetmab, masks the pain without treating the underlying cause of the osteoarthritis nor is it mitigating the condition itself. Your fur baby feels no pain then goes about activities as normal, which can exacerbate their condition and increase joint damage.

NGF has many vital roles within the canine body. It is one of many naturally occurring proteins, called neurotrophins, which is responsible for pain signal transmission and modulation from the joints, and is responsible for repairing and protecting nerves. Why would it be a good idea to do this? Well, it isn’t.

Other roles of NGF include:

Nerve growth factor is synthesized and secreted by a variety of cells in the body, including those involved in immune functions and structural cells. NGF serves several important roles but overall it is a protein involved in embryo development and regulates the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is also involved in a wide range of homeostatic functions, including wound and muscle repair and in pain sensation.

• NGF is a neurotrophic factor that helps neurons develop and survive, especially sensory neurons that transmit touch, temperature, and pain.
• NGF binds to receptors on the surface of neurons, which initiates signaling pathways that control the neuron’s growth, differentiation, and survival.
• NGF plays a significant role in protecting neurons from damage and degeneration, which is particularly important in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and peripheral neuropathies.
• NGF promotes the regeneration of damaged neurons, aiding in the recovery from injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.
• NGF plays a critical role in the regulation of both innate and acquired immunity. In acquired immunity, NGF is produced by the Thymus as well as CD4+ T cell clones, inducing a cascade of maturation of T cells under infection.
• NGF may play a critical role in the maintenance and survival of pancreatic beta cells.

The source article contains an insert created from the package insert of Librela (surprised the author even got one) that summarizes the adverse events of the monoclonal antibody. Some are lethargy, vomiting, dermal mass, urinary incontinence, loss of coordination and leg muscle control, death, seizures, diabetes symptoms, anaphylaxis, lameness, bacterial skin infections, etc.

There is a Facebook grief support group for pet parents whose fur babies were lost due to this injectable drug. Some respondents posted sudden cancer and tumor diagnoses. It would stand to reason this would be the case since bedinvetmab binds to NGF which is crucial to immune system functioning. Suppressing the NGF means the immune system is disrupted allowing abnormal cells (cancer) to proliferate.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer, Zoetis – a division of Pfizer. It contends that Zoetis failed to warn pet owners about the dangers of the drug. Obviously, vets were not in the know either about the dangers. Zoetis had made claims the drug is “safe and effective” for dogs. How many times has “safe and effective” been used to coerce humans to get vaccinated as well as for pet parents to vaccinate their fur babies?

If you read the series on vaccinating your pets and the follow-up article, you know it is difficult to sue vets. And, if you do, more than likely, your compensation will only be for the cost of your fur baby since pets are viewed by the courts as “property”. Vets receive little, if any, retribution when your pet is harmed by their actions, inactions, or failure to inform pet parents of dangers regarding drugs and vaccines. Vets don’t mind using fear tactics to get you to vaccinate your dog and over-vaccinate your dog for diseases like rabies, parvovirus, leptospirosis, kennel cough, etc. And, invariably, the vet will bring up the “law” on animal vaccines. But, ultimately, it is up to you as a pet parent to determine the best for your pet based on research. Vets rarely follow the research done by the foremost canine vaccine researcher, Dr. Ronald Schultz, who passed in April 2024. Vaccines are a money maker for vets comprising almost 30% of their practice income.

Wonder what an injection of Librela costs – it is to be given monthly? Not only will pet parents pay for the injection, the vet will bill an office visit for that treatment.

If you have a fur baby with osteoarthritis that is receiving Librela (Beransa, Solensia) or the generic bedinvetmab, and is exhibiting any adverse events, please report these to Zoetis and the FDA.

Zoetis

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-888-963-8471 Option 2

https://www.zoetisus.com/product-support/vmips/contact-vmips

FDA

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-888-FDA-VETS (1-888-332-8387)

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-animal-drug-and-device-side-effects-and-product-problems

So far, more than 3,800 reports of side effects from this drug were reported in the united States at the end of last year. The European database of suspected adverse drug reactions contains over 20,000 reports. The majority of issues have been reported as “systemic disorders”.

This writer can tell you from personal experience having two fur babies with vaccine injuries – one passed because of congestive heart failure from vaccine injury, the injuries do not go away. The chronic health problems require daily vigilance and management. Moreover, once your fur baby has been injured, he is considered an unhealthy dog due to chronic health problems and should not be vaccinated again nor should be given the drug, if known, that caused the injury.

Remember, once you choose to not vaccinate your pet again, you will encounter barriers for continued care for your dog. There is no veterinarian that will provide dental care for this writer’s fur baby; so, she will not be receiving dental care. Dogs got along fine for decades without dental care and will so again with proper maintenance. A holistic veterinarian has been a good choice in this writer’s experience. But, other choices have had to be made as well. For example, this writer’s fur baby will only see the veterinarian for urgent issues – illness and injury requiring allopathic treatment such as surgery. Visits will be done to test for heartworms and receive the natural homeopathic treatments for her chronic health condition, but that is it. Should further issues arise with her, natural homeopathic therapies, under the guidance of a holistic vet, will be utilized.

As a pet parent, the ultimate care for your fur baby is your responsibility. Do your own research, ask questions, and don’t be timid about challenging your veterinarian. Find a holistic veterinarian as a supplement to your regular vet if necessary. Seek a second opinion just as you would for yourself and your human family members. Report known and suspected medication and vaccine adverse events to the FDA and the medication/vaccine manufacturer. Pet medications and vaccines are not very well tested. Many pet medications are actually expired human drugs pawned off to pets. They can also contain the same harmful ingredients as those in human medications, injectables, and vaccines.

After all, doesn’t your family fur baby deserve the best that you can give him?

Article posted with permission from Sons of Liberty Media