Librela is a monthly injectable medication used to help control pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. If your veterinarian recommends Librela for your dog, it’s important to think of it as part of an ongoing pain-management plan, not a one-time treatment.
What Is Librela?
Librela (bedinvetmab) is a prescription injectable medication for dogs with osteoarthritis pain. Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that can make everyday activities such as getting up, walking, climbing stairs, jumping into the car, or playing less comfortable.
Librela works differently from many traditional pain medications. It is a monoclonal antibody therapy that targets nerve growth factor, or NGF, which plays a role in osteoarthritis pain.
The goal is to help control your dog’s pain so they can move more comfortably and enjoy more of their normal activities.
Librela Is a Monthly Treatment
One of the most important things to know about Librela is that it is not a one-and-done injection.
Librela is given by injection at the veterinary clinic once a month. Because osteoarthritis is an ongoing condition, managing the discomfort it causes usually requires ongoing care as well.
Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment and follow-up schedule based on your dog’s health, comfort, mobility, and response to therapy.
The key takeaway:
One injection is the beginning of treatment, not necessarily the end of it. Staying on your veterinarian’s recommended monthly schedule is an important part of evaluating and maintaining your dog’s response.
Why Does Staying on Schedule Matter?
Librela is designed for ongoing monthly administration. Your veterinary team will monitor how your dog responds from one visit to the next and determine whether continued treatment is appropriate.
Stopping treatment early or missing scheduled injections can interrupt that treatment plan and may make it more difficult to maintain or evaluate your dog’s pain control.
You may also notice changes gradually rather than all at once. That’s why your observations at home, along with regular conversations with our team, are so valuable.
What Changes Should I Look For?
Every dog responds differently. Rather than looking only for dramatic changes, pay attention to the everyday activities that can tell you how comfortable your dog is.
You might notice changes in your dog’s ability or willingness to:
- Get up after resting
- Walk or exercise
- Climb stairs
- Get into the car
- Jump onto furniture
- Play or interact with the family
- Keep up on walks
- Settle comfortably after activity
Think about what was difficult for your dog before treatment. Those specific activities can provide useful points of comparison between visits.
Help Us Understand How Your Dog Is Doing
You see your dog every day, which makes your observations an important part of their osteoarthritis care.
At each visit, tell us about any changes you’ve noticed, positive or negative. Helpful questions to consider include:
- Is my dog moving more comfortably?
- Are walks easier or longer?
- Is getting up after sleep or rest easier?
- Is my dog more interested in favorite activities?
- Have I noticed any new or unusual changes?
- When did I first notice a difference?
- Do I have questions about the next injection or treatment plan?
Videos from home can also be helpful if there is a particular movement or behavior you want to show the veterinary team.
Keep the Conversation Going
Managing osteoarthritis is about more than a single appointment. Your dog’s needs may change over time, and regular check-ins allow us to evaluate their comfort, mobility, overall health, and response to treatment.
If something about your dog’s health or behavior concerns you during treatment, please let us know rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Additional Resources from Zoetis
Zoetis offers additional resources to help you learn more about osteoarthritis, recognize changes at home, and understand available support.
• Take the Dog Osteoarthritis Assessment Quiz
• Read Librela success stories and learn more about treatment
• Learn about Zoetis Petcare Rewards, where eligible Zoetis purchases can earn points that may be redeemed toward veterinary care and other rewards.
Questions About Your Dog’s Librela Treatment?
We want you to understand why Librela has been recommended, what changes to watch for, and what comes next.
Stay on the monthly schedule recommended by your veterinarian, and ask our team about your dog’s next injection during your visit.
Have questions between appointments? Call us at 425-226-9960. We’re happy to help.