Ask Dr. Paola- Nipples, Adverse Reactions & Affordable Medication Options (August 11, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your furry pal joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Nonetheless Has Her Nipples!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

When will our Miniature Schnauzer Tarot lose her nipples? ”  – Norman

Thanks on your query, Norman. Your Miniature Schnauzer, Tarot, won’t lose her nipples. Nipples are a standard a part of a canine’s anatomy and stay all through life in each women and men, no matter whether or not they have been spayed or have had puppies. They solely change considerably if there’s an underlying medical situation affecting the pores and skin or mammary tissue.

Should you’ve seen any modifications in Tarot’s nipples, comparable to swelling, crusting, discharge, or ulceration, these could possibly be indicators of a dermatologic challenge, hormonal fluctuation, or mammary gland dysfunction. Circumstances like mastitis, mammary hyperplasia, or neoplasia could cause seen modifications and must be evaluated early. If you’re not sure whether or not what you’re seeing is regular, a video session with one of many veterinarians at PangoVet could be a useful first step in figuring out whether or not she must be examined in particular person.
Regards,

Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Had an Antagonistic Response to Librela!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

Librela injections have principally destroyed my 5-year-old Sheltie’s again legs. After a lot, a lot testing to rule out all the pieces else, my surgical vet (who suspected Librela) instructed me that new data prior to now few months has come out on Librela and that the FDA has an investigation ongoing. We’re within the strategy of getting a wheelchair.

He had surgical procedure months in the past due to bilateral torn ACLs in his again knees. After steady PT, he continued to worsen. He can’t stroll on his paws due to extreme ligament harm, and many others. His legs are simply floppy. Please advise in your column about Librela’s risks so others might be made conscious. He was on Librela attributable to arthritis in his entrance legs. “ – Donna

Hello Dona,

I’m so sorry you’re going via such a painful and overwhelming expertise together with your Sheltie. When a beloved canine begins to lose operate regardless of surgical procedure, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, it’s not solely bodily demanding however emotionally exhausting. Your dedication to in search of solutions whereas supporting your canine via that is deeply commendable.

Librela (bedinvetmab) is a monoclonal antibody accepted to handle osteoarthritis ache by focusing on nerve development issue (NGF). Whereas it was typically properly tolerated in scientific trials, the FDA has acquired over 3,600 hostile occasion studies since its U.S. approval in 2023. These embody neurologic indicators comparable to ataxia, paresis, paralysis, recumbency, and in some circumstances, loss of life or euthanasia. In lots of studies, these indicators occurred inside days of administration, usually after the primary dose, and with out different drugs concerned. A review published in 2024 additional highlighted that musculoskeletal hostile occasions, together with ligament harm and speedy joint deterioration, have been reported considerably extra usually in canines handled with Librela than in these receiving NSAIDs. In consequence, the FDA has required Zoetis to replace Librela’s label to incorporate post-approval studies of great neurologic, urinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal occasions. A more moderen 2025 world pharmacovigilance evaluation of greater than 18 million administered doses discovered that whereas hostile occasions are nonetheless thought-about uncommon, some critical results, comparable to neurologic and musculoskeletal indicators, have been reported, highlighting the significance of ongoing monitoring and open communication amongst veterinarians and pet mother and father worldwide.

Though causation shouldn’t be confirmed by these studies alone, they’re being taken significantly by each regulatory businesses and the veterinary neighborhood. In advanced circumstances like your canine’s, with prior orthopedic challenges, it may be troublesome to isolate a single contributing issue, however sharing this data helps defend different pets and raises consciousness of the necessity for additional analysis. Your voice performs an essential function in that effort, and I love your braveness in talking up.
Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! I Want a Extra Inexpensive Choice!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

Hunter will get a Librela shot each month. The price is $80. Is there any over-the-counter capsule I can use? ” – Lynne

Hello Lynne,

Thanks on your query. I fully perceive how the continuing value of managing continual arthritis in canines can change into burdensome, particularly with month-to-month therapies. Librela is a veterinary-prescribed monoclonal antibody designed to focus on nerve development issue (NGF), which performs a central function in ache transmission. It is a distinctive mechanism that’s not replicated by any over-the-counter medicine, and presently, there is no such thing as a FDA-approved different obtainable with no prescription that gives the identical focused impact.

Moreover, it’s value noting that the FDA is reviewing a rising variety of post-marketing studies of hostile results related to Librela. Whereas no causal hyperlink has been confirmed, this investigation has led to elevated consciousness and label updates. For extra particulars, please discuss with the query above.

Over-the-counter assist for arthritis usually contains joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, or green-lipped mussel extract. These might assist assist cartilage well being and cut back irritation, however they don’t straight management ache, and their advantages are likely to develop steadily and differ between people. Human over-the-counter ache drugs comparable to ibuprofen or acetaminophen ought to by no means be utilized in canines, as they will result in critical toxicity. If value is a priority, I might counsel talking together with your veterinarian about different prescription choices, comparable to generic NSAIDs, or probably combining a nutraceutical plan with way of life methods like weight administration or therapeutic train. I hope this helps!

Good luck!

Dr.Paola

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