FDA New Treatment for Osteoarthritis for Cats

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Cautious indeed. I'm not an anti-vax or anti science nut, if not for science we wouldn't have insulin and we'd all be in a very sorry state right now. So...
Solensia is made by Zoetis. Zoetis Inc. is the world's largest producer (income 2021 was 6.7 billion) of medicine and vaccinations for pets and livestock and was once a subsidiary of Pfizer. Big companies don't like bad investments and often turn a failure into a success because of a drug's side effects. Viagra was a flop as a treatment for hypertension, Marco's thin bladder walls can be treated as a side effect of Metacam. I have doubts about a huge corporation financing any drug's development for the sole purpose of feline pain control. Having five seniors myself I'll gladly accept a wonder drug, I'd just like to know what it was originally intended for.
Googling "what was Solensia originally made for" gets you nowhere.
This is a UK.gov report on Solensia but the Google header clearly states Do not use in animals intended for breeding. Well why not?
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_2034950.PDF
This is dry reading, the annual shareholders meeting of Zoetis. What they call "Companion animal products" grew 25% operationally last year while livestock declined 5%.
https://s1.q4cdn.com/446597350/files/doc_financials/2020/q4/ZTS-US-20210216-Corrected-Transcript.pdf
 
It is great, long term pain is debilitating and painful to watch. I didn't want to sound like a 'big pharma' conspiracy nut but the line "Do not use in animals intended for breeding" concerns me regarding the genetics. Good science always comes at some cost but it's not just our little ones that may benefit, think of all the old big cats in zoos and rescues that could live longer and less painful lives.
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
This is a UK.gov report on Solensia but the Google header clearly states Do not use in animals intended for breeding. Well why not?
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The FOI Summary in the first link included this:
Safety Warnings Solensia™ should not be used in breeding cats or in pregnant or lactating queens because the drug may pass through the placental blood barrier and be excreted in milk. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should take extreme caution to avoid accidental self-injection of Solensia™. It is wellestablished that NGF is important in the normal development of the fetal nervous system, and laboratory studies in nonhuman primates have shown that human antiNGF mAbs can cause reproductive and developmental toxicity. Fetal abnormalities, increased rate of stillbirths, and increased postpartum fetal mortality were noted in rodents and nonhuman primates receiving anti-NGF mAbs.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Did any of those cats get skin allergies from it?
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Hi Elise, I've so far only heard good reports of it; and have seen people encouraging others to try it for their kitties. No mention of any adverse effects as yet. It seems to have been tried mostly by people when oral pain meds didn't work in their kitty or couldn't be used for any reason. And some have been pleasantly surprised by the good results.
 
I'm glad there is something new. I'm sad it is several years too late for my cat. We did everything we could at the time, but I laid her to rest in November 2018 because the arthritis was no longer manageable and it wasn't humane to keep her going any longer. Adequan worked for a while and gave her about 5 extra years, but eventually there just wasn't anything more to be done. I would have welcomed any other options than saying goodbye at the time. There was nothing wrong with her other than arthritis.
 
So glad to hear such positive news about Solensia from our British members!

Pabs&Ro said:
I have used it for my 11.5 year old non diabetic cat who had very stiff and sore hips but no skin problems. It has transformed her life and knocked 6.5 years off her. She had not been jumping much and after one week did a huge jump onto the kitchen table and landed in my husbands dinner!
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I gave Ruby her second Adequan shot today and she's been a very different cat since we started it this week. She did the same thing your kitty did, jumping onto a kitchen counter from the floor, something she has never ever done. I'm glad though that in case the Adequan doesn't work for her anymore that an alternative is on the horizon for us in North America.
 
I would just like to update this thread
1 month ago we started Duke on Solensia due his bad arthritis and let me say the results have been amazing, he actually runs upstairs now without stopping and the other amazing thing he's started doing now (bad Duke lol) is jumping up onto the table, he's never being able to do that before and he does it with ease and he's quite pleased with himself doing it.
We have not noticed any side effects and it's not affected his BG so we are very very pleased with it.
He's due his second dose tomorrow and i will update with his progress in a months time.
 
s Solensia available in the US?


Solensia, which is approved in the European Union and has been available to veterinarians there since May 2021,will be available to veterinarians in the United States in the second half of 2022.Jan 17, 2022
 
Katherine&Ruby said:
How is Solensia administered? I started Ruby recently on Adequan and she's improved a huge amount, with no hesitation to jump onto tables and kitchen counters like she used to.
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As @tiffmaxee says, it's given once a month just under the skin like giving insulin.
We did ask if we could do it at home but the vet wouldn't allow it, UK regs i suppose.
 
Just a quick update on Duke's progress with the Solensia.
He had his second injection on 9th March and everything was fine he ate his supper no problem but next morning he was really off it and struggled with his breakfast and same with his supper so we ended up giving him an appetite stimulant just so he would eat something. I don't know if it was coincidence or not but he was fine the next day.
As for the Solensia it's still working wonders, he still jumps up onto the table at every opportunity he gets, runs up the stairs and chases our other cat George all over the place. He's just moving so much better and not walking with any stiffness and as i said in my previous post his life has been transformed.
He's due his next injection next week after a 5 week interval instead of the normal 4 weeks because the vet is so impressed with his movement, obviously if 5 weeks is too long then he will go back to the recommended 4 weeks between injections.
No side effects to report other than the day after his injection but i can't say if the Solensia caused that, next injection will probably tell, but if it is that then i would rather have him off it for a day or so than be in pain, also his BG has not been affected by the Solensia.
I will report back in a few weeks on his progress.
 
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If you are/were giving other drugs for arthritis (adequan, gabapentin) do those stop if you start Solensia? Is there a withdrawal from either of the previously mentioned drugs? Currently Rascal receives gabapentin twice a day in her food and adequan every 2 weeks (administered at home).
 
slane said:
If you are/were giving other drugs for arthritis (adequan, gabapentin) do those stop if you start Solensia? Is there a withdrawal from either of the previously mentioned drugs? Currently Rascal receives gabapentin twice a day in her food and adequan every 2 weeks (administered at home).
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Yes you would stop the adequan and gabapentin. There wouldn't be any withdrawal period for the Solensia as it would just carry on from the adequan but the gabapentin i can't say. Your vet would best advise on that sorry.
The Solensia has been a life saver for Duke, he's had three injections so far and he's a different cat.
 
Thanks for the updates @tiffmaxee on solensia!
I have my name on the list to be notified when it arrives to the US!
I am so hopeful it’s soon. I’m not sure what “second half of 2022” means … maybe fall? Praying for that!!!
 
Update on Duke with his Solensia.
He's now had 4 injections and it's just magical for him, no side effects at all.
He's running about, he's still loving his new game of jumping up onto the table and he gets up and down the stairs with ease with no bunny hopping up and down or stopping half way and limping up the rest of the way which he used to do. He can actually swivel and jump at the same time now and he's so much happier.
I think the time when he struggled with his food the day after was just a coincidence because he's been fine since.
We have reverted back to 4 weeks intervals instead of 5 weeks for the injections because you could see he was starting to struggle a bit after 4 weeks.
All in all it's just fantastic stuff and i can't emphasise enough just how much it's changed him.
 
I have questions about this. Was baseline bloodwork taken prior to starting Solensia? And has any post-Solensia bloodwork been taken. I have the obvious concerns about anything new and being VERY cautious about anything that could potentially damage kidneys.
 
Hi Suzanne,
Duke has his bloods done every 3 months.
If you look at Duke's spreadsheet he started Solensia on the 7th Feb and he has the start of Kidney disease, infact as you can see his kidney values started to go up prior to his starting Solencia. In September his kidney values were slightly up but raised quite a lot at the start of December and up again slightly in March but going by those dates i don't think the Solensia has caused that.
He has his quarterly bloods taken again in a couple of weeks so it's a case of see how his numbers are and i will report back.
 
It does sound like Duke's quality of life has vastly improved on the Solensia, so that is very good to know! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. :cat:
 
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Teetee (UK) said:
As @tiffmaxee says, it's given once a month just under the skin like giving insulin.
We did ask if we could do it at home but the vet wouldn't allow it, UK regs i suppose.
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Hi Tee!
So pleased that Duke is having good results with Solensia. :bighug: ...Bonbon had her first Solensia shot today, and we're keeping fingers crossed for some improvement too...
...My vet actually suggested that I buy it online from now on (with prescription from her) and give it to Bonbon myself, since I can already give insulin injections... And I have a friend whose vet suggested the same to them...
So, it doesn't seem to be against any regulations...
Just wonder if it's worth asking your vet again whether you can do this at home...? The difference in cost would probably be considerable... x
 
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi Tee!
So pleased that Duke is having good results with Solensia. :bighug: ...Bonbon had her first Solensia shot today, and we're keeping fingers crossed for some improvement too...
...My vet actually suggested that I buy it online from now on (with prescription from her) and give it to Bonbon myself, since I can already give insulin injections... And I have a friend whose vet suggested the same to them...
So, it doesn't seem to be against any regulations...
Just wonder if it's worth asking your vet again whether you can do this at home...? The difference in cost would probably be considerable... x
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Hi Eliz, :bighug:
Fingers crossed Bonbon has the same results as Duke, it's a wonder drug for Duke as far as i'm concerned.
We saw a big improvement within a couple of days with Duke, hopefully Bonbon will do the same.
Keep me informed on how she is doing please.
Kim says she will ask the vet about giving Duke his Solensia at home.
I think the nurse gave Duke his last injection and it cost £75, so even with the vets £25 prescription charge it will work out a lot cheaper.
 
Teetee (UK) said:
How's she doing Eliz, have you seen any improvement yet with Bonbon?
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Aw, bless you, Tee. :bighug:
No 'obvious' improvement yet in terms of her mobility... ....But...I wonder if she is actually a bit 'happier'.... She is a bit more responsive than usual (she usually lives in her own little world). And her eyes seem brighter. So I do wonder if she is in less pain. That would be good!
 
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi Tee!
So pleased that Duke is having good results with Solensia. :bighug: ...Bonbon had her first Solensia shot today, and we're keeping fingers crossed for some improvement too...
...My vet actually suggested that I buy it online from now on (with prescription from her) and give it to Bonbon myself, since I can already give insulin injections... And I have a friend whose vet suggested the same to them...
So, it doesn't seem to be against any regulations...
Just wonder if it's worth asking your vet again whether you can do this at home...? The difference in cost would probably be considerable... x
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That is great news!
I actually give my baby her Adequen at home myself too.
I can’t wait for this Solensia to arrive in the US!!! :)
 
Does anyone know if it’s possible to order Solensia from a European or Canadian supplier if you are in the US? I am desperate to get this stuff for my kitty and suspect “latter half of 2022” is going to end up meaning December—which is a long time in the life of a cat!
 
Squeakycats said:
Does anyone know if it’s possible to order Solensia from a European or Canadian supplier if you are in the US? I am desperate to get this stuff for my kitty and suspect “latter half of 2022” is going to end up meaning December—which is a long time in the life of a cat!
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Hi
I think probably the best thing to do is to talk with your vet about that as it's prescription only so ordering online wouldn't be an option without your vet.
I've had a quick look around and i have seen that it's just become available in Canada so maybe not too long for the US.
 
Thanks! I was just wondering whether if my vet would give me a prescription, I could send it to a Canadian pharmacy—I know I’ve ordered prescription medication for myself from Canada, and I wondered whether it was possible to do something similar with pet meds. So far I haven’t found a way.
 
Duke had his 6th injection yesterday and as before he's still doing brilliant on it, in fact i would go as far as to say he's doing even better with his movement but one thing i have noticed is that he does slow down towards the end of his monthly cycle.
@Elizabeth and Bertie
We asked the vet about giving him the Solensia at home and she spoke with the practice manager but she refused saying it was different to giving insulin which is rubbish.
How's Bonbon getting along 3 weeks in?
 
Teetee (UK) said:
We asked the vet about giving him the Solensia at home and she spoke with the practice manager but she refused saying it was different to giving insulin which is rubbish.
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Ugh, I am sorry, Tee... The vet nurse has shown me how to give it. It does mean injecting 1ml at a time, and that means bigger syringes. But the principle is exactly the same as insulin injections in that they are both given under the skin. And the vet nurse injected into the scruff just as with an insulin shot... Bonbon is due her next (second) shot in the near future, so we will see how that goes! :rolleyes:

We are seeing 'some' definite improvement now, I think. She's got up onto my bed a few times and hasn't done that for a very, very long time... But her jumping 'down' hasn't improved as much, haha, so she has some steps to help her down, bless her...

BTW, the vet nurse said that in some cats it doesn't last the full month, and may only last 3 - 3.5 weeks....
 
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Teetee (UK) said:
We asked the vet about giving him the Solensia at home and she spoke with the practice manager but she refused saying it was different to giving insulin which is rubbish.
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The manufacturer specifically says "Solensia is a monthly injection administered at your vet's office that can help control the pain your cat may experience from OA.".
https://www.zoetispetcare.com/products/solensia
However, the detailed prescribing documents says nothing about vet-only administration.
https://www2.zoetisus.com/content/_assets/docs/solensia-pi.pdf
The Solensia comes in 1ml single-use vials with the full vial given for 5.5-15.4 lb cats two vials for heavier cats. Thus, dividing mup vials is not a reason for not being able to inject at home.
 
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Ugh, I am sorry, Tee... The vet nurse has shown me how to give it. It does mean injecting 10ml at a time, and that means bigger syringes.
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I don't understand the 10ml since the prescribing info say is comes in 1ml vials.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Cats should be dosed by weight range according to the Dosing Chart (Table 1) below. Cats are given the full content of 1 or 2 vials based on body weight to target a minimum dosage of 0.45 mg/lb. (1 mg/kg) body weight, administered subcutaneously once a month. Aseptically withdraw the total dose into a single syringe and administer immediately. The product does not contain a preservative. The full content of each vial is for single use only. Once punctured, contents of the vial should be used immediately and any remaining solution should be discarded.
Table 1. Dosing Chart
Weight of Cat (lb.) Weight of Cat (kg) Volume Number of Vials*
5.5-15.4 2.5-7 kg 1 mL 1
15.5-30.8 7.1-14 kg 2 mL 2
*1 mL frunevetmab injection per vial
https://www2.zoetisus.com/content/_assets/docs/solensia-pi.pdf
 
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