Anybody Have Any Experience with Adequan or Librela for a Pet Dog???

[Sharphooks]

So I’m going through hell trying to make a decision with my dog.

She’s only 11 but was recently diagnosed with extreme osteo-arthritis ——in the space of 3 days, she has lost the function of her rear right leg and it appears the left leg is going fast which will make it hard for her to stand up and crap….going up and down stairs——forget about it

I have Vets telling me about the miracle drugs like Librela and Adequan but meanwhile, although I read that injections might stabilize and reduce pain they can’t reverse the condition

I also read there’s a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of LIbrela because of side-effects (and killing some of the dogs that were injected with that mono-clinal antibody drug)

Anybody out there with any experience with either of these two drugs and their pet dog?

Quality of Life is a heavy duty phrase and means lots of different things to different people

thanks

 

[eroyd]

Librela worked wonders for our 14 yr old. Was quite dramatic actually. Gave him an extra good year or so. Unfortunately it's effectiveness has lessened.

Steaming the meat of your salmon carcasses and the bellies (all the best stuff) and adding that to his food has certainly helped as well.

We are at that tough choice stage now. His bright eyes and wagging tail is making it hard.

Good Luck!

 

[Dave]

We use a combination of Cartrophen and Librela on our 10 year old Aussie, Bernese cross who was diagnosed with arthritis ... seems to work for her.

 

[Sharphooks]

Thanks for the prompt feedback, Gents. The problem is my dog has lost the function of her right rear leg. It drags behind her and I can see the left leg is not far behind. Her rump just goes out from beneath her when I set her down on the ground

I am having huge difficulty seeing her quality of life improving if she loses stability of her rump, with or without pain…she’s not over-weight, she’s only 11 and got huge exercise. Really tough decision to make.

 

[Pineapple Express]

Recent experience with our husky cross: Our doggy was getting Librela and Cartrophen monthly to control pain and allow the dog to keep active. Our dog was also dealing with nerve degeneration which was resulting in the hind legs being wobbly or generally not working well....the Librela and Cartrophen were not effective to address this mobility issue.

My understanding from our vet is that the Librela in particular interrupts the pain pathway so the dog doesn't feel the pain. That's about it. In our dog's case the Librela was an absolute game-changer and definitely extended her life and improved her quality of life.

Good luck to you with your pup.

 

[Sharphooks]

Thanks for that P.E.—-that’s my fear, though…stops pain I can imagine but won’t address failing mobility…I wish I’d seen signs earlier but she literally just fell off a health cliff—running on the beach one day to no longer being able to walk the next….maybe I was in denial and I should have seen and acted on the clues earlier …

 

[noluck]

Thanks for that P.E.—-that’s my fear, though…stops pain I can imagine but won’t address failing mobility…I wish I’d seen signs earlier but she literally just fell off a health cliff—running on the beach one day to no longer being able to walk the next….maybe I was in denial and I should have seen and acted on the clues earlier …

they never show us , you know in your heart what is right for your dog. very hard decision. thoughts are with you and family

 

[ClintR]

My wife’s a vet tech and says there can be severe reactions with librela but if it works it works great. No experience with adequan.

 

[Sharphooks]

I think the line in the sand is she can no longer walk… my daughters are coming over Friday and I hate to admit it but I made the dreaded call this morning… the woman kept saying are you sure and recommended the Librela but she hasn’t seen her condition…def the most wonderful present that ever came into my life… absolutely heartbreaking because she still looks like a puppy… I drew her portrait a few months ago for one of my daughter’s Christmas presents … I tried to get those eyes….

And another one when she was just a few years old and started canyon cutting with me on my rivers…



I’m having trouble seeing how I’ll possibly do my boat trip up to the promised land this summer without her…

 

[Hardy Guy]

I'm so sorry. Time with any loved pet is too short.

 

[Birdbrain]

I sympathize with you, your family, and your dog, at this very difficult time. But you know that it's your kindness that will stop your pet's suffering. I also believe that we and our pets actually make these decisions together; not verbally, but by our deep connection that's part of nature. We both read each other's body language very accurately. Pretty amazing, eh?

By the way, my vet once told me that dogs don't show pain, because they're related to wolves, and a wolf showing weakness becomes an outcast in the pack. On the other hand, us humans are related to monkeys, so we're always screeching and complaining from the trees.

I sure like your artwork. It's very cool how you blend the river's flowing water with your dog's flowing fur. Very unique.

Take care.

 

[baddogg]

I have used a combination of cartrophen injections, Recovery pills and metacam. It made a huge difference in my last two working dogs as they aged. They take a little bit of time to kick in but work. We have an elder chihuahua right now and cartophen with Recovery has made a noticeable difference in his mobility. He went from an extreme limp to being able to go up a couple of stairs. That was impossible before.
If I am late to this discussion I am sorry. Dogs are so important to most of us. Valued friends and companions.

 

[Sharphooks]

All these comments went straight to my heart, Guys. Thank you very much!! It’s really helpful. I’ve been on the verge of breaking into tears for going on a week now. I keep looking for affirmation that I’ve made the right decision…..I try and put myself in her place…not being able to walk any more. Loads of humans go through that and figure it out with crutches or a wheel chair. But I cant see my dog in one of those wheel type slings and even if I went that route, it would just put that much more stress on her front legs which are also showing issues

Crazy to be left thinking I’m euthanizing a creature I just love to pieces but I agree withe BB’s comments that it might in fact be a mutual decision….she just sits now, as if to say….thanks for all the adventures, but I’m done

I find myself holding her front paws then retracing all the hallowed ground those paws have touched over the years….lots of poignant memories…she was a true risk taker and rose to every occasion like a stately Queen….

 

[seahorse]

I feel your pain, I just put down my 14 year old Golden Retriever 5 weeks ago, absolutely the hardest thing I have done. I had her on Galliprant for about 2 years and she still went for walks but very short and slow, even a walk 5 days before I made the decision, but the Galliprant worked to get her mobile but obviously not the same condition as your dog. My daughter is a vet and recommended Librela but I stuck with Galliprant and it seems to have done the trick for her. These dogs are masters of disguise when it comes to pain, just crazy and drives me nuts.

 

[Pineapple Express]

I just went through the same thing @Sharphooks When our pup couldn't stand or poop she just looked me in the eyes and let me know it was time. It was the hardest thing. She was so sweet and loving.

I highly encourage you to find a vet who will come to your home for the procedure (whenever that time comes) so that you and the dog are in comfortable surroundings.

Take care

 

[Sharphooks]

Thanks for that… I found a vet who performs that service and the first thing she did after the initial contact was launch into a sales pitch for all the wonder drugs I should be considering….that of course makes it an even harder decision for me to make, especially trading about dog mortalities using at least some of those drugs and the need for continual tracking of kidney and liver functions… then there’s me… 73 years old, multiple herniated discs , carrying her up and down stairs and to and from the car into the woods so she can crap… getting old ain’t for sissies….for both man and beast alike… ha ha

 

[Fishless]

Thanks for that… I found a vet who performs that service and the first thing she did after the initial contact was launch into a sales pitch for all the wonder drugs I should be considering….that of course makes it an even harder decision for me to make, especially trading about dog mortalities using at least some of those drugs and the need for continual tracking of kidney and liver functions… then there’s me… 73 years old, multiple herniated discs , carrying her up and down stairs and to and from the car into the woods so she can crap… getting old ain’t for sissies….for both man and beast alike… ha ha

I would try another vet, seems like youve come to terms with this, be strong my friend