Librela

[SockFluffInTheBath]

Following our (mis)adventures with gabapentin my old boy had the librela injection yesterday morning. He’s already brighter, had a couple of big stretches and just seems more mobile and happier already. Is that possible in 24hrs or is it just the lack of gabapentin?

Hi @SockFluffInTheBath , how is your dog doing now? I'd be interested in hearing about your experience with gabapentin.
My old boy has had 2 librela injections and is due his 3rd soon. I'm not sure whether to go for it or try gabapentin tbh. His mobility was noticeably better within 24 hours and has remained at the same level. But after his 2nd injection he started pacing and staring and I'm worried about side effects and that he was distressed. He is drinking loads of water too and peeing in the house overnight (I can deal with that, it's a not a huge problem) and I am wondering about asking the vet to try gabapentin as that was the other option when he had his first injection.

Ok, so I came across this post by googling both librela and gabapentin and have just seen your other post about how your poor dog was. It's such a tough decision isn't it, knowing what to do for the best? I hope he's doing ok now

When my dog started drinking loads, it was his kidneys. He'd been on gabapentin & another painkiller (nsaid) after an injury & arthritis.

My girl has had 4 doses now. It takes 48 hours or so to kick in for her. She is also drinking a lot with it. There's a facebook group for librella users, where plenty of people report the same.

My Lab has had the first dose of Librela today. He’s been sent home with Gabapentin, he already takes Galliprant and vet said to give human paracetamol.

My lab has been on Librela for a year . He also has metacam. He is doing really well on it, though we also do massage and hydrotherapy. He is on a 4 week cycle.
I am doing everything I can to avoid gabapentin as I have seen unpleasant side effects in other dogs. So far so good.

@Timeforachangeisitnot what side effects have you heard with Gabapentin please?
Ddog has had it before- tore his ACL had to wait for specialist orthopaedic vet to see him /covid- nightmare. He appeared to tolerate it ok.

It’s the Librela that scares me- I’ve joined forums and there aren’t many positive stories. Or perhaps I’m focusing on the negative.

He has drunk more water - I think, I’m staring at him and following him around, so now he’s staring at me probably thinking, go away! 🤔😆Watched him urinate earlier, which he absolutely hates!

Pressed send too fast- mine has massage but not hydrotherapy. For a lab, he detests getting wet.
He whined a bit earlier, which he doesn’t do- I doubt it’s kicked in yet though.

@Suzi888 muscle wastage & whining/ whimpering a lot were the side effects I was thinking of pSpaced out and not terribly mobile.

I have visited the Librella forum and my observation would be that most of the posters are ones with bad experiences - which is not to dismiss them, it just may not represent the full spectrum of experiences.

In my case, my 12 year old lab has had a positive experience in his 1 year of taking Librela. We were lucky to be able to get it while it was still on a trial . Clearly there may be long term side effects that we have not seen. But there is no muscle wastage evident, he is happy as a clam, and very mobile ( still jumping across streams, and over dykes on country walks).

He does get physio every week and that may include laser or heat treatment, swimming or treadmill work, and we have a regime of exercises that we try to include in our walks. He has joint supplements and bone broth. His weight and shape are good.

Hope your dog has good outcomes whichever treatments you choose.

Our 12 year old lab has been on Librela for about 18 months after going loopy with Gabapentin. It’s been life changing for her. No side effects. No issues at all. Gave her a new lease of life.

My 13 year old shihtzu had her first Librella injection yesterday. She was still in a lot of pain last night and whimpering. The vet said I could give her one gabepentin last night, but I'm not sure about today. Can anyone advise? Thanks

@Mia673 Can’t speak about Gabapentin but my vet advised slowly reducing metacam over 2 weeks after his first Librela, so maybe your dog needs some ongoing help. Talk to your vet again if she is still whimpering.