NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Solensia (frunevetmab injection), the first treatment for the control of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats in January. It is available in Hutchinson.
"For the longest time, we haven't really had anything that we can do long term for feline arthritis," said Erica Miller, DVM with Apple Lane Animal Hospital. "This is really big for cats, for our older cat population. We haven't really had anything, there's so many things for dogs, but this has been wonderful, to have this released to us."
Solensia is the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) new animal drug approved by the FDA for use in any animal species.
"What's nice about it is, it does not have the side effects that an NSAID would have, like Tylenol or ibuprofen. It's generally safe. What that antibody does is it goes in and it targets nerve growth factor. That's one of the main components in osteoarthritis pain. If it goes in and it basically kind of cuts that pathway off, then those pain signals aren't relayed and so our cats aren't painful from arthritis."
This is a once a month injection.
"Because it's an antibody, it builds on itself," Miller said. "Each month as you do it, it should get better and better, so less and less pain. I think that they say in the studies that generally it takes two injections to see full effect. We've had some cats at our clinic start it and even with the first injection, in a couple of weeks, owners have noticed a significant change in activity level of their older cats. We know it can work sooner."
Solensia is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian because professional expertise is required to properly diagnose pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats, administer the injection and monitor the safe use of the product, including treatment of any adverse reactions.
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