The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning vets and pet owners that a popular arthritis drug for dogs could be killing their pets.
In a letter posted to their site, the agency has said that effects reported from the use of the Zoetis drug Librela includes seizures, lameness and loss of muscle control.
According to the FDA some dogs have had to be euthanized and others have died as a result of the the side effects.
They issued the warning on Monday after more than 3,600 cases of side effects were reported to them between the whole of 2023 and March 2024.
In an April report by The Wall Street Journal, they spoke with several dog owners who had watched their dogs deteriorate after they started using the drug.
Phil Jordan told the outlet that two weeks after his 12-year-old rescue Daisy had her first injection she started to wobble on her hips and limped.
A week after another dose and she started to become lethargic and lost her appetite as well as her ability to walk.
She gained back some mobility but her kidneys failed, and the family then had to euthanize her in March of last year.
The company has said it is safe and effective with the amount of side effects representing just a fraction of the millions of shots already administered.
In 2023 the FDA approved the drug for control of pain to help with osteoarthritis in dogs.
In their letter they said they approved the drug after reviewing studies and data and determined to be safe and effective.
The drug was one of the first treatments cleared for use in pets, with Zoetis relying on it for big sales, according to the journal.
The outlet reported that since its approval is has become the fourth-largest pet care product in the country.
In a earnings call in November chief exec Kristin Peck said they believe the drug is on track to become a $1 billion franchise.
Tthe company said in a statement: ‘We continue to have the utmost confidence in the safety and efficacy of Librela.
‘Since launching in Europe over three years ago, Librela has been used effectively with millions of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis pain.’
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