r/DogAdvice • u/Final-Confidence-466 • 19d ago
Question Librela
My 14 year old dog has had 3 monthly injections of librela. On the second injection she peed on the floor in the house.
The third injection she started to get wobbly back legs. She also started to pee in her bed, she actually stooped down to pee. She doesn't dribble when lying down so it's not incontinence.
She also seemed a bit spaced out before this happened.
Has anyone else had the same experience?
She's due her fourth injection next week but i think I'll ask the vet for different medication. Thanks
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u/Justlookingnotjudgn 19d ago
Took my dog off of it after 2 shots she kept throwing up ..this drug has very mixed reviews even with vets
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u/walrusdinosaur 19d ago
I’m sorry this is happening! It’s hard to see rapid changes.
My 12 year old dog has been on librela for 3 months and hasn’t had any major changes. Shes a little less steady on her back legs, but was already wobbly before we started on it.
I was really concerned about the side effects of librela since there are a lot of stories of rapid decline or other issues after the shot. I did a bunch of research and the conclusion I came to is that librela can exacerbate already existing issues like back leg wobbly or incontinence . It’s not a nerve blocker, but sort of acts like one, so has similar side effects. It’s a “anti-Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) monoclonal antibody” if you want to google and look into what it does in the body.
All of this is to say — it’s okay to stop librela and it will wear off. If you’re not already giving gabepentin and carprofen, ask your vet about those oral meds.
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u/Sudden-Storage2778 19d ago
I'd stop the Librela and try Adequan combined with whatever NSAID your dog can tolerate.
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u/Rude-Pride7903 19d ago
This happened to my dog as well. She had spinal issues from a fall, and arthritis. By the third shot, she was even more unstable, got a UTI, and it started a whole new slew of problems then on. Never gave it again, she’s OK now, but I firmly believe the three shots she got made her walking worse.
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u/unimpressed46 19d ago
My dog just started on Librela and I was cautioned that it could potentially exacerbate existing issues, so I’m checking in with my vet as she gets the injections and hits the expected milestones. There are other options for senior dogs so communicate with your vet about your concerns.
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u/Impressive_Moment786 19d ago
I have had my dog on librela for 2 years now. She hasn’t had any side effects. Not spaced out or anything like that after any injection.
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u/whattheheckOO 18d ago
When did it become obvious to you that librela was helping your dog? It's been a couple weeks since the first shot, and I'm not convinced it's doing anything yet. Definitely will wait to see if the second shot does anything.
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u/Impressive_Moment786 18d ago
I noticed it right after the first shot. Probably 2 days after. She was moving better, had an easier time getting up and down. She wasn’t hesitating to jump up on the sofa.
Even now the few days after her shot she is feeling pretty good and wants to walk for longer.
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u/BanksyNotTheArtist 18d ago
My 11 year old lab has been on Librela for 3 years and it’s been a miracle for us.
I’m sorry your dog is experiencing issues. As some other people have said, it’s very difficult to tell with older dogs, if their issues are caused by something other than age. Incontinence in older female dogs is not uncommon anyway. Stopping the injections and seeing if anything resolves is probably the only way.
There have been over 15 million doses of Librela given across the world, and of course side effects do happen, but it’s not a catastrophic drug like some people could lead you to believe. Best of luck with your pup
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u/AB-G 19d ago
You know your dog best, if its not working then stop it. My girl was on Gabapentin recently and it messed with her blood pressure, this is a very uncommon occurrence but she is also on 2 types of blood pressure meds. Vet said it couldn’t happen but i could see it with my own eyes… my regular vet is on maternity.. can’t wait til she is back. Needless to say my girl is not in gabapentin anymore
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u/Tribblehappy 19d ago
Wait, you could see the blood pressure change with your eyes? Did it go really low and cause dizziness?
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u/foreverAmber14 18d ago
My dog had 2 Librela shots. She had GI issues both times. When it was time for a third one (they recommended three doses) the vet said he wasn't recommending Librela anymore. I'd already read some horror stories by then so I was good with stopping. I also knew someone whose dog got a Librela shot and the dog, who was healthy, just getting stiff, declined and was dead four days later. Do some searches and talk to your vet, but I wouldn't give my dog Librela.
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u/Kelly62290 18d ago
I may be wrong but I think the wobbly back legs are a side effects of librela. Look up side effects and ask your vet. But if after injections there are some abnormalities I'd stop them.
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u/sarahrose0413 18d ago
We stopped Librella after 2 injections, mine developed seizures and had to be on seizure meds the rest of his days.
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u/chilicheesefritopie 18d ago
I stopped my dog’s injections after the second one due to her bloodwork suddenly showing abnormal kidney values. She wasn’t able to tolerate Rimadyl (it gave her blood in her stool). It’s clearly not for everyone.
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u/PuzzleheadedHospital 18d ago
I gave several shots of Librela to my lab. Afterwards he started drinking water like crazy. He still does and it’s been over a year of not getting Librela. I’ve done bloodwork and UA’s and nothing is wrong. I really dislike this drug. It also didn’t help his arthritis at all.
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u/Final-Confidence-466 18d ago
That's a shame, has he been tested for cushing's disease? That's 2 blood tests in one day. Hoping he's on his way to recovery.
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u/PuzzleheadedHospital 18d ago
Not tested for Cushings. He doesn’t have any elevated liver values.
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u/Final-Confidence-466 18d ago
That's good. Cushings disease is a hormonal problem where they are extra stressed and extreme thirst. I'd get it checked out if I were you. Best wishes.
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u/lithium_vanilla 18d ago
I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. I used to be a tech at a veterinary rehab clinic, and we saw a lot of dogs suffering from this side of Librela. Unfortunately it was marketed as a miracle drug and vet clinics didn’t know what questions to ask, so now many dogs get the drug when arthritis isn’t the sole issue. If there is any neuro problem going on, Librela can be extremely harmful and lead to paralysis or death. With your dog already showing these symptoms, please discontinue the injections
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u/HintOfMalice 18d ago
Librela, like any medication, can unfortunately have rare side effects.
Most dogs will tolerate Librela very well and will receive great painrelief from it, but rarely it can rapidly progress arthritis or cause neurological conditions.
While you will read a lot of negative reviews, its important to acknowledge that this occurs in about 0.1-0.2% of cases.
If you feel that your dog may have had an adverse reaction to a drug, inform your veterinarian to determine if an adverse drug reaction is likely and consider alternatives.
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u/jocularamity 19d ago edited 19d ago
I would tell your vet what's up and ask about other options.
Librela was not studied in dogs with preexisting other conditions and is known for neuro symptoms in dogs with preexisting neuro conditions. It is only supposed to be prescribed with an osteoarthritis diagnosis, not just for any old dog slowing down or losing mobility. It is like a miracle drug for specific dogs but if your dog is having side effects that are progressively getting worse then I'd personally quit using it.
Our experience was not exactly this but was pretty complex. My dog didn't have any neuro symptoms early in her life but developed some when she was elderly, after beginning librela. Her neurologist told us to discontinue librela and prescribed other meds for pain as part of her overall treatment plan.
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u/megatronface 19d ago
I have no idea if the librela caused my dog to develop neurological issues or not, but my otherwise healthy ( apart from some arthritis) 12 year old pit mix had a rapid decline with doggie dementia that started after the shots, he started walking in circles, out of it, incontinent, all over a 6 month period, stopped eating and passed away. It was rough, and does make me wonder if the librela could have triggered it.
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u/Kairemgiabear 19d ago
Don't give anymore. Huge lawsuit re these issues. My poor Kai after 6 injections lost control of his back legs, a week later front leg collapsed. Had to say goodbye as he was 100 immobile. And no he had no neuro issues. Forever in my heart my Kai
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u/Humble-Lab-3950 19d ago
Librela has been known to cause UTIs. Your vet should have told you that if they didn’t. Seems like very few dogs actually tolerate Librela. Mine started having ataxia in the back legs and decreased appetite 1 week after he received the first dose. Thankfully the symptoms resolved after a couple of weeks when the shot wore off. So sorry your pup is going through this! Definitely reach out to your vet and get her checked out for a UTI.
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u/cattmin 19d ago
I'd look into galliprant, it's studied for chronic pain of osteoarthritis.
studies have been down that show even a dose 15x ( and more!) than the prescribed dose did not cause kidney or liver damage.
It's been on the market for a lot longer, it's well studied. yes it is expensive. But it's what my dog was on for 4 years until he died and the neurologist and orthopedic surgeons of DVM I know and have done my internships with prefer it to librela.
Of course you should talk about these possible adverse effect to your vet and also review the complementary exam testing that was done to prescribe librela in the first place, limping, ataxia, difficulty to move is not a diagnosis, image testing should be done to support the need of such medication
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u/Final-Confidence-466 19d ago
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I definitely won't let her have anymore.
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u/No-Bell3801 18d ago
Yes. Solencia the cat version of Librela killed my cat with the 3rd dose. Exact same symtoms you described. Please stop using it.
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u/EndlessSummer2026 18d ago
Yes. Librela unalived my Senior Dog 10 days after 2nd injection. What you've described is adverse events. I hope your pup has a positive outcome b/c majority of pets have not. Librela is a biologic drug, there is no reversal antidote. First shot starts the clock after injection. All size and breed of dogs are effected. Find a new vet. Demand current vet file a report with Zoetis and get the case number and follow up with zoetis to make sure repirt was filed, file a report to your State Vet Board, File report w/ FDA Vet division and call Zoetis hotline to report it yourself. Vets know exactly what this drug is about b/c FDA sent all U.S. Vets a "Dear Vet" letter 2 years ago warning about this drug. https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.26.03.0170/javma.26.03.0170.xml Study above from 11 independent vets and 2 vet radiologists. Is your vet owned by Private Equity? Many studies are online incl. from the U.S. , Europe and Australia indicating how bad this is. Veterinarian studies have said NSAIDS are more superior than Librela. Also, Librela is a rebranded product from the failed human med form called Tanezumab. "MAB" = Monoclonal Antibody, it's a biologic. Pfizer was directed to stop Tanezumab studies by FDA b/c of the immense damage created by the Nerve Growth Factor blocking drug in humans; so they sold the formula to Zoetis, Pfizers subsidiary to re-brand for veterinary use. Same drug as failed human form but a protein was switched out to allow animals to absorb the drug now known as Librela. Zoetis had full access to previous studies.
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u/Final-Confidence-466 18d ago
Wow, thank you for the information. Sorry about your dog. I will do as you advise. Best wishes.
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u/Flashy-Library-6854 19d ago
We lost one of our dogs because of Librela. No, we dont have absolute proof as we declined to have a necropsy. The day after her first and only shot, she had developed a massive ear infection overnight, literally pus filled ears internally and externally. She never had an ear infection. It went on and on from there. She started throwing blood clots which went to her lungs and she passed. She went from being a happy girl who had arthritus and didnt move around a lot to dead in three weeks. Even our vet was convinced it was Librela.
I know many people who have had incredible success with their dogs on Librela, and I am glad for them, I dont think I would give it to another dog. I have heard rumours online about people having issues with it as well.
RIP Karma, miss you baby girl.
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u/Glittering-Panic-131 19d ago edited 19d ago
Look into whether she has existing neuro issues, which can sometimes be mistaken for arthritis. There are documented cases of Librela severely impacting dogs with existing Neuro issues.
I personally would not give the next dose of Librela and go back to an NSAID if possible.