The Latest on Librela: New musculoskeletal publication
Atypical radiographic changes seen in dogs treated with bedinvetmab (Librela)2
- An external multidisciplinary panel evaluated cases screened from global Librela pharmacovigilance reports of musculoskeletal adverse events during the five-year period ending December 2025
- The authors have characterized a unique, atypical radiographic pattern termed Abnormal Periarticular Bone Remodeling (APBR)
- This publication adds to the ever-growing body of scientific data for Librela
- Zoetis stands behind the benefit-risk profile for the control of OA pain
Globally, musculoskeletal AEs have been reported at a ‘rare’ frequency,*
and APBR reports represent a subset of all musculoskeletal AEs.
*According to European Medicines Agency (EMA) classification ‘rare' means an event has been reported in between 1 and 10 in 10,000 treated animals (where one dose equals one treated animal).3
Librela is backed by science in every step
Over a decade of development
- The journey to deliver sustained control of osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs began with the proven science of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, which has been trusted in human medicine since the 1980s4
- Over 10 years of dedicated veterinary research has led to breakthroughs in adapting this advanced technology for canine OA1
Learn more about the mAb journey.
Go Now
A targeted mechanism of action
- New scientific knowledge has revealed the important role of nerve growth factor (NGF) as a powerful mediator of OA pain. The targeted mechanism of action of Librela reduces excess NGF caused by OA, reducing pain and neurogenic inflammation5
- The ability to target this key component of the pain pathway with Librela gives veterinarians another first-line option for providing long-lasting control of OA pain6-8
- Librela does not require routine bloodwork or lowest effective dose like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is processed and eliminated like naturally occurring antibodies, causing less stress on the kidneys and liver. It can be safely prescribed to patients with pre-existing kidney and liver conditions9,10
See how Librela targets OA pain with its unique mechanism of action.
Watch MOA Video
Robust clinical trials and real-world data
- The safety and efficacy of Librela have been demonstrated in rigorous clinical trials and are continuously supported by pharmacovigilance data11-13
- Librela has been helping dogs all over the world control their OA pain for 5+ years, and nearly 40 million doses have been delivered globally as of June 202614
See what experts are saying about Librela.
Learn More
Transforming lives for dogs and their caregivers
Beyond data, Librela has made a positive impact, renewed mobility, and provided comfort to real canine patients and their caregivers. Among current users:- 83% are extremely or very satisfied with Librela15
- 94% are likely to recommend Librela15
- 98% rate Librela as a good value15
See the impact Librela has had on real patients.
Explore Success StoriesHave a question about Librela?
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A cause for celebration
5 Years of Controlling OA Pain
for Dogs Around the World
A lasting impact on veterinarians, pet owners, and patients
Dive into real-world data about controlling OA pain with Librela to see the science in every step
In a clinical study, Librela improved quality of life for dogs16
Chronic OA pain limits a dog's mobility and quality of life every day. Librela works consistently to control the OA pain that’s holding them back for up to 30 days, providing them with comfort, relief, and an improved quality of life.
As reported by pet owners, the quality of life for dogs taking Librela showed significant improvement in the following areas16:
Energy and enthusiasm
Happiness and contentedness
Calmness and relaxation
Activity and comfort
What is pharmacovigilance?
Pharmacovigilance (PV) is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse events (AEs) after a drug is introduced into the marketplace. Zoetis has a rigorous PV system to collect, verify, evaluate, and report potential AEs for all Zoetis products. Despite some limitations, when viewed in aggregate, PV data can provide essential information on the safety and efficacy profile of the product.
Benefits
- Information post-approval is from a broader and more diverse patient population
- The number of animals treated/exposed to the product is exponentially higher than laboratory and field studies
- Emerging patterns of AEs can be observed and noted over longer periods of time than the shorter duration of laboratory, clinical, and field studies
Limitations
- PV data are dependent on voluntary reporting by veterinarians and pet owners; therefore, underreporting occurs
- PV data are not as well controlled as data gathered in studies
- PV data can be confounded by comorbidities, underlying pathologic conditions, or concomitant medications not researched with laboratory and field studies
- Includes extra-label use reports
- Includes data regardless of causality
Zoetis has a staunch commitment to safety and transparency. Regardless of suspected causation or correlation, all reported AEs are documented and shared with the FDA and global regulatory bodies.
Study details13
- Study was conducted from February 2021 to June 2024
- More than 18 million doses were sold during the study period
- The frequency of the most-reported clinical signs were rare or very rare*
- >70% of dogs with AEs were ≥10 years of age†
*“Rare” is 1-10/10,000 treated animals (doses). “Very rare” is <1/10,000 treated animals (doses).
†Dogs ≥10 years of age (12,497). 12,497 of 17,775 total dogs = 70.3%.
The most inquired about AE categories for Librela are neurologic safety and joint safety.
Neurologic safety13
- Neurologic AEs have been reported with Librela, the most frequently being ataxia
- The reported incident rate of ataxia is rare (1 to 10 per 10,000 dogs treated)*
- The use of Librela is not contraindicated for dogs with neurologic conditions. However, data show that 12% of senior dogs have general neurologic disease. So, screening is recommended as part of your differential diagnosis and to inform your discussion with pet owners on OA pain control options17
- In partnership with specialists, Zoetis has created a comprehensive collection of medical education and diagnostic videos to help ease the differentiation process between these conditions
Is it OA, Neurologic Disease, or Both?
Access a curated library of information to help distinguish the key differences.
Explore NowJoint safety
- An external, multidisciplinary panel of veterinary specialists evaluated cases screened from global Librela pharmacovigilance reports of musculoskeletal (MSK) adverse events (AEs) during the five-year period ending December 20252
- The panel noted atypical but consistent radiographic findings in a small subset of MSK AE reports and termed this new condition Abnormal Periarticular Bone Remodeling (APBR)2
- Over 34 million doses of Librela were distributed globally during the 5-year period, and in total, 7,123 MSK AEs were reported; MSK AEs of any kind have been reported at a frequency of rare, and APBR cases are a subset of those2,13*
Read the full study here.
Read MoreLearn what this means for your practice.
Learn MoreTune in to an on-demand webinar on APBR.
Learn On-DemandMaintaining trust with the veterinary community
Zoetis is taking deliberate steps to proactively and directly address veterinarians’ questions and concerns and to ensure a clear understanding of the benefit-risk profile of Librela, including expanding medical education, partnering with experts to share efficacy and safety information, and investing in post-launch studies to generate additional real-world insights.
Explore helpful resources and discover the next evolution in
OA pain management with Librela
Don't just take our word for it—hear what your peers have to say
Clinician’s Brief Expert Panel: Evolving Approaches to Recognizing & Treating Canine OA
Read how experts approach multi-modal therapy to optimize outcomes for their patients.
The Case of Ernest Ham Biscuit: When Bad OA Happens to Good Dogs
A case study exploring mAb therapy in the management of OA.
Practical Approaches for Detecting OA in General Practice
Hear practical ortho screening strategies and tips on client communication through every phase of diagnosis and treatment.
Two Perspectives, One Goal
Generalist and Specialist insights into managing canine OA pain.
Medical education: Earn CE credits while you learn the latest in OA pain management
Expert Panel Article Review: Musculoskeletal Adverse Events with Librela
An on-demand webinar that summarizes the 2026 JAVMA publication on Librela AEs.
Expert Insights on Anti-NGF mAbs,Latest Evidence & Confident Clinical Approaches
Four of veterinary medicine's leading pain experts have come together to share the latest evidence on canine osteoarthritis.
Librela Global Pharmacovigilance Data Webinar
An on-demand webinar that covers the latest information around canine OA and Librela.
Comparing Librela to the NSAID Meloxicam: A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter, Parallel-Group Trial
An on-demand webinar that covers the first clinical trial comparing safety and efficacy.
Why Is My Patient Having Trouble Walking? Distinguishing Orthopedic vs Neurologic Causes of Gait Abnormalities
Watch the video and complete the assessment for 1 CE credit.
Different Dogs, Different Paths: Insights into Personalized OA Pain Management
Review the mechanisms of OA Pain & understand the role of NGF in OA Pain, explore strategies for management, and discuss real cases.
Is It Ortho or Is It Neuro? Some Practical Pointers
Understand how to differentiate between orthopedic disease and neurologic disease in canine patients and develop appropriate treatment plans accordingly.
Rethinking OA: A Young Dog’s Disease
Take a closer look at genetic and developmental factors contributing to OA and learn to better identify and treat this common yet often underdiagnosed disease.
From Observation to Diagnosis
Increase your confidence and skills to diagnose ortho conditions and make decisions regarding additional diagnostics and advanced imaging.
From Positioning to Perception: A Practical Guide to Orthopedic Radiographs
Learn practical principles for obtaining and interpreting orthopedic radiographs.
Osteoarthritis: Just an Old Dog Disease? Rethinking the Timing of Our OA Interventions
Dive into a case study and change your perception about when to start OA intervention.
Specialist & Generalist OA Pain Insights
Hear two perspectives on the importance of continuous pain management for dogs suffering from OA pain.
Additional resources for your practice and pet owners
Is it OA? Ortho vs Neuro Sources of Pain
Access a library of exam resources to help identify key differentiators between ortho and neuro conditions.
LibrelaVetTeam.com
Explore the official Librela website for veterinary health professionals.
Librela.com
Give pet owners more information about Librela, including success stories.
Zoetis Petcare Rewards
Increase compliance, pet owner savings, and clinic revenue with each Librela injection.
Purchase Librela
Librela is available in 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 mg/mL sterile injectable solution strengths.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Librela is for use in dogs only. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should take extreme care to avoid self-injection. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, could potentially occur with self-injection. Librela should not be used in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Librela should not be administered to dogs with known hypersensitivity to bedinvetmab. Adverse events reported post-approval include ataxia (lack of balance/coordination), anorexia (loss of appetite), lethargy (tiredness), emesis (vomiting), and polydipsia (increased drinking). The most common adverse events reported in a clinical study were urinary tract infections, bacterial skin infections and dermatitis (skin irritation/inflammation). For complete safety information, refer to the full Prescribing Information at LibrelaPI.com.
References:
1. Zoetis Data on File. November 2025.
2. Budsberg SC, Clements DN, Regan DP, et al. Atypical radiographic changes seen in dogs treated with bedinvetmab (Librela). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026;31:1-9. doi:10.2460/javma.26.05.0379
3. Volume 6C Summary of the Product Characteristics: SPC - Pharmaceuticals 2006.
4. Liu JK. The history of monoclonal antibody development - progress, remaining challenges and future innovations. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2014;3(4):113-116. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2014.09.001
5. Enomoto M, Mantyh PW, Murrell J, Innes JF, Lascelles BDX. Anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies for the control of pain in dogs and cats. Vet Rec. 2019;184(1):23. doi:10.1136/vr.104590
6. Gruen ME, Lascelles BDX, Colleran E, et al. 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2022;58(2):55-76. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7292
7. Cachon T, Frykman O, Innes JF, et al. COAST Development Group's international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1137888. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1137888
8. Monteiro BP, Lascelles BDX, Murrell J, Robertson S, Steagall PVM, Wright B. 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. J Small Anim Pract. 2023;64(4):177-254. doi:10.1111/jsap.13566
9. Keizer RJ, Huitema AD, Schellens JH, Beijnen JH. Clinical pharmacokinetics of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2010;49(8):493-507. doi:10.2165/11531280
10. Olivry T, Bainbridge G. Advances in veterinary medicine: therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for companion animals. Zoetis. March 2015.
11. Michels GM, Honsberger NA, Walters RR, Tena JKS, Cleaver DM. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multisite, parallel-group field study in dogs with osteoarthritis conducted in the United States of America evaluating
bedinvetmab, a canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2023;50(5):446-458. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2023.06.003
12. Corral MJ, Moyaert H, Fernandes T, et al. A prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled multisite clinical study of bedinvetmab, a canine monoclonal antibody targeting nerve growth factor, in dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2021;48(6):943-955. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2021.08.001
13. Monteiro BP, Simon T, Knesl O, et al. Global pharmacovigilance reporting of the first monoclonal antibody for canine osteoarthritis: a case study with bedinvetmab (Librela™). Front Vet Sci. 2025;12:1558222. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1558222
14. Zoetis Data on File. June 2026.
15. ZMR: Forward Group Canine Osteoarthritis Report - Wave 3, May 21, 2026. Zoetis Inc.
16. Reid J, Gildea E, Davies V, Thompson J, Scott M. Measuring the effect of the anti-nerve growth factor antibodies bedinvetmab and frunevetmab on quality of life in dogs and cats with osteoarthritis using a validated health-related quality of life
outcome measure: an observational real-world study. Front Vet Sci. 2024;11:1395360. doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1395360
17. Nam Y, White M, Karlsson EK, et al. Dog Aging Project consortium. Dog size and patterns of disease history across the canine age spectrum: Results from the Dog Aging Project. PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0295840.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0295840
18. Innes JF, Lascelles BDX, Bell D, et al. A randomised, parallel-group clinical trial comparing bedinvetmab to meloxicam for the management of canine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci. 2025;12:1502218. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1502218
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