Comment from Shirley Tiffany

I am submitting this comment to document the rapid decline and death of my Labrador, Rocki, following a single Librela injection administered on April 23, 2024 he passed May 15th, 2024. (22 days of horror for us both ) On April 23, 2024, I took Rocki, my 12-year-old Labrador, to his routine senior wellness examination and nail trim. Prior to this appointment, I had been working to improve his overall health. He had lost approximately 10 pounds, remained active for his age, regularly went on walks, climbed stairs without difficulty, and continued his normal daily routine. During the appointment, my veterinarian recommended Librela for Rocki's age-related arthritis. When I expressed hesitation about starting a new medication, I was told that Librela was a "wonder drug" and that it would make him feel young again. I was also asked, "Wouldn't you want him to feel better and act like he was a young dog again?" Those statements, combined with my veterinarian's recommendation that Librela was the best option for him, made me feel pressured into consenting to a single Librela injection. The following day, I received the bloodwork results from the samples collected during that visit. The Librela injection had already been administered before the laboratory results became available. The laboratory report documented a markedly elevated ALP (997 U/L). I do not know whether this finding was related to what followed, but I believe it may be relevant and have included the laboratory report with my submission. For approximately six days after the injection, Rocki appeared normal. On April 29, he developed a slight limp/hump in between his shoulders. Over the following days, his condition rapidly progressed. He began walking more slowly, dragging his feet, knuckling his front paws, hanging his head low, struggling on stairs, requiring assistance to stand, and eventually collapsing because his front legs could no longer support him. On May 2, 2024, I drove Rocki back to my veterinarian because his condition had worsened significantly. When we arrived, he did not want to get out of the vehicle. I attempted to help him, but his front legs repeatedly buckled beneath him and he cried out in pain. I eventually managed to get him inside the clinic, where the veterinary staff placed him on a stretcher because he could no longer safely stand or walk. He was evaluated, treated, and prescribed additional medications, but despite treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate. As Rocki's condition continued to decline, I remained in frequent contact with my veterinary clinic, reporting his worsening symptoms and seeking guidance. I contacted the clinic on April 25; May 2; May 6; and May 8. On May 10, there were four back-and-forth telephone conversations between the veterinary clinic and me regarding Rocki's rapidly declining condition. I again contacted the clinic on May 14 because his condition continued to worsen. On the morning of May 15, believing Rocki was dying, I called the clinic four separate times in an attempt to reach my veterinarian. Each time I was told my veterinarian was not in the office. Shortly after 8:00 a.m., Rocki passed away at home despite my attempts to perform CPR. My fourth and final call to the clinic was to notify them of his death, and I was instructed to bring him to the clinic so arrangements could be made for cremation. As his condition continued to worsen, I sought a second opinion from Dr. Haire. Based on our discussion, he suspected a possible slipped disc and scheduled Rocki for an examination on May 16, 2024, to determine whether surgery would be appropriate. Rocki passed away the morning before that appointment. During his final days, Rocki became completely unable to stand or reposition himself. I provided around-the-clock care, including helping reposition him, expressing his bladder, syringe-feeding water when necessary, and changing his bedding and pads. On the morning of May 15, while changing his pads, I noticed dark blood in his urine. Shortly afterward, while repositioning him, his body locked up and he passed away. Throughout his illness, I documented his decline with photographs, videos, vet records, lab results, med records, and a detailed timeline, all of which are included. I believe pet owners deserve complete and transparent information before consenting to treatment. I also support continued investigation of reported adverse events, additional independent safety research, and clearer guidance regarding informed consent and appropriate patient selection. Rocki was more than my dog he was the only family member I had. I cannot change what happened to him, but I hope his documented experience helps better evaluate the safety of Librela and helps protect other dogs. Meds they had him taking at once post injection: 04/23 – Librela injection (30mg) 05/02 – Gabapentin, Robaxin, Prednisone 05/06 – Amantadine added in 05/08 – Robaxin and Prednisone continued/refilled