The Solensia Cat Owner Feedback Page
Ron Hines DVM PhD
If your cat received a Solensia® injection(s) – or if you just want to share your thoughts on this new medication – please send your comments to me at yourpetsfriend@gmail.com and I will add them to this page. It is always nice to know your cat’s name and the region of the world where you and your cat reside. RSH Your comment in black, Owner updates in green My comments in purple Scientist’s Comments in maroon
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December 2, 2023
My 17 year old boy, Pancake (turning 18 in April) was recommended Solensia for his arthritis around July of 2023. At first he responded great and was moving around more. After the 2nd or 3rd time taking him I noticed he was losing weight at every appointment (about .2 – .5 pound a month) and at home he was acting like he was starving. I asked them every time about his weight and if that was a problem. I was told he is overweight anyway and is probably just loosing pounds due to the extra walking. I decided to make a senior exam appointment and do a full panel because that just didn’t seem right to me. It came to our attention after doing his blood work that he has early stage 2 ckd (chronic kidney disease) I did not see any decline in his health or weight until starting the Solensia shot. I am now doing research about it and find that there isn’t much research on this drug especially in cats with ckd. My vet then told me to continue the shot since it is helping him move around. After reading all these posts and deep diving into the data and studies on this drug I do not think I will be continuing with this route.
K. H., Grand Rapids, MI
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November 27, 2023
My 14 y/o cat Helios was recommended Solensia for the calcium bridging he has in his back [ankylosis]. He is otherwise in good heath aside from a few teeth that need attention and a slight heart murmur which makes him not the ideal candidate for the sedation needed to sort out the teeth. After the first Solensia shot on October 7th, he seemed sleepy for a while. But then he was running around like a kitten so I thought it was fine and helping him. He had his 2nd shot on November 10th. He seemed fine at first but then I started noticing scabs on his face and chin. 2 weeks after the shot he started limping on his left front leg. Yesterday I noticed he has a big lump on his front leg by his chest and this morning I found his left front leg very swollen! It’s twice the size of his other leg! I am stopping these injections immediately! My vet who is usually awesome didn’t mention any of these side effects when Solensia was recommended to me. I feel awful that it has hurt my little buddy. Helios is now very lethargic and I am concerned about what else this has done to him.
Lisa From BC Canada
11-28-23 I took Helios to my vet yesterday for a re assessment. He feels that the lump and swelling of his leg is somehow related to the Solensia because it showed up so soon after the 2nd shot with no prior indications of any problems and normal bloodwork. He gave him a steroid shot that lasts 2 days to help with the swelling. He thinks that the Solensia should be out of his system in the next 2 weeks. Helios lets us touch the swollen area and the lump without any sort of [pain] reaction. My vet now recommends we use CBD to help Helios with his discomfort and mobility issues. Vet said he will check in with me in 2 days to see how things went with the steroid shot. If things have not changed by the time the Solensia is out of his system we will do x-rays and blood work to find out what is going on. L.A.
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November 18, 2023
Rosa, our 15 year old cat started Solensia in July 2023. The first injection had her scaling the fence, and tightrope walking along the top. Rosa seemed so much happier to be more mobile. But this October after her last injection she didn’t seem to pick up so quickly as the previous months and started turning away from her food. Numerous trips to the vets revealed everything seemed to be fine. The vet gave her medication – mirtazapine to help stimulate her appetite. At that time the vet did not link this weight loss to the Solensia. Rosa started eating again, just small amounts. We knew she was due for another Solensia injection last Tuesday, so this was booked in, and the vet wanted to check her weight as she had lost some over the period she had not been eating. Rosa arrived home that day with a bounce in her step and clawing the scratching pole quite happily. She had been separating herself from her sister over the final weeks – which was very unusual. The following morning, she didn’t get up…but did eventually to use the dirt box. She then went to lie in the sun another usual routine. While I was doing my art, I found her then tucked into a corner, and somewhere in that time she lost control of her bladder twice…struggled to get to the dirt box to pass a poo. I was amazed her whole movement had changed she could hardly walk or stand. We rushed her to the vet, who said, this change maybe neurological. The vet who had seen her the previous day came in and said – goodness she’s gone downhill since yesterday. At that time, we thought the only solution to help her was to let her go to be at peace. Since Rosa’s passing (Wednesday 15th November) my gut told me something was not right. Why did this happen so quickly? I started to search Solensia and found other people had experienced similar things with their cat using this product. I acknowledge others have had no issues. If we had held onto her a bit longer, would Rosa have got through this? Looking back, it seems to fit with other experiences, and given the chance, seeing the signs and had we had more information we would have stopped the medication earlier on. For anyone else considering this medication I would say please do your research first so you can make your choice. We miss Rosa so much – Daisy her sister is so lonely.
C. G., New Zealand.
11-19-23 Dear Ms. G, Thank you for letting me and others know about Rosa’s experiences with Solensia. I am so sorry to read about her passing. Solensia is a venture into poorly understood science. Veterinarians and physicians just do not know yet what the side effects of inhibiting nerve growth factor the way this drug does might be. God did not produce NGF without important reasons for doing so. That is why similar drugs have not yet been approved for human use by the FDA or the EMA.
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November 5, 2023
My 18 year old female kitty Porkchop has osteoarthritis in her hips and shoulders. One night before I knew how severe it was, she was laying on me and fell to one side cuz her shoulder couldn’t hold her. Then she kinda fell off the bed and started to walk and I noticed her opposite hip/leg wouldn’t work. She laid there for 20 mins before she could get up. The vet did a neurological exam and she was perfectly normal. Then they did an exam on her limbs and she growled in pain with the same limbs I saw not working for her. They suggested Solensia. I never wanted to see that happen to her again so I said yes. After the second shot she was back to her old self. Playing harder, Running faster, jumping and being her crazy self. Now, after maybe 8 shots, it seems to not work anymore. Her hips are unstable again and her right back leg has a limp now. I was so hopeful and now I’m so discouraged.
E. L., Grand Rapids, Michigan
11-25-23 Hello, sorry for not getting back sooner. Yeah so after two shots I saw the full effects. Porkchop was back to her old self and had stability in her hips again and played, ran, jumped like normal. Now 8-9 months later she’s limping and her back right leg is weaker. They did what they can do in regards to a feline neurological exam back then and she was normal. I was concerned about [perhaps] a stroke but I guess she did not have one according to them. When they did their exam on her limbs and felt her body they could definitely feel the muscle mass loss and arthritis due to her age. When they stretched her limbs she growled when it came to the arm and leg that had stopped working briefly. They were stiff and painful but after the shot they became more loose and she didn’t growl. It just sucks watching your animal grow old. E.L.
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October 25, 2023
My cat Butterscotch has terrible arthritis. He is 20 years old and is otherwise in generally good shape with very mild kidney decline. My vet recommended Solensia so we tried it. After the first shot, he started to move around much better and I thought it was a miracle. After the second shot, he was slightly better but not the same level of improvement. On the third month, Butterscotch got his third shot. Since that shot, he is confused and lethargic. It seems like he has dementia. His limping is now much worse. I am not sure what is happening. He had a physical right before the first shot and was okay. His food has not changed. I have decided to stop his shots and see what happens. As with most clinical trials not every adverse reaction is observed. But something is definitely not right.
S.L., Livonia, Michigan
You are right. There seem to be extreme differences in on how Solensia affects cats. As I mentioned to previous cat owners, the most important thing I would like to learn is, are these negative effects – when they occur – permanent or temporary and what would be the best way to treat or prevent them. Solensia reduces your cat’s level of NGF. Less NGF in the body reduces pain. Perhaps where it’s given, how frequently it’s given and what other meds are given are more important than we thought. One needs a certain amount of NGF to retain one’s mental abilities and nervous system. (read here) Perhaps the suggested dose is just too large for some cats. That does not explain why some cat’s arthritis pain gets better, and some appear to get worse. The EMA warned that the potential existed for cats to develop antibodies against Solensia. That could cause the drug to lose its effectiveness. But that does not explain how they could end up worse than before they took it. Zoetis easily has the wherewithal to explain this problem and, perhaps, even solve it. But it will take neuropharmacologists and pathologists to do so. And since they already have FDA and EMA permission to market Solensia, they have no motivation to do so. Zoetis is an offshoot of Pfizer. Pfizer wanted to market a similar drug, tanezumab, for human arthritis. In March 2021, the FDA voted 19 to 1 against that drug’s approval. But for different reasons. They are not as rigorous when it comes to meds for our pets. R.S.H.
Dear S.L, I do have some potentially good news for Butterscotch: 10-26-23 M*** M*** 9:40 AM (4 minutes ago) Good morning: I want to provide you with an update on our male cat Jeter. Almost two months after discontinuing the Solensia injections, Jeter has returned to his preinjection self. He is jumping without hesitation. He has regained lost muscle mass in his hind quarters. He is more alert and energetic. For Jeter; we made the correct decision to discontinue the Solensia injections. J.M. & M.M, Las Vegas area
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October 24, 2023
My about 12 y.o. tabby cat, Josie, has a degenerative spinal cord and bone spurs. Her decline has been incremental for over a year and we have managed her symptoms best with prednisone (2.5mg daily). We have tried other pain meds and anti-inflammatories before when we were treating it as an [ ] acute injury.That just didn’t work for her. On Oct 2, 2023 we tried Solensia and began to taper down her prednisone. I was not seeing an improvement by day 6. I also noticed a scab on her chin that I thought she got from her sister but it was a weird scab. So when I saw someone else here post about a scab I thought it seemed more reasonable that it was a side effect of the drug. [ ] Once she was a week off prednisone and 2–3 weeks post injection she got very lethargic and unstable. She was unable to move more than a foot or two in each step before falling. Before the shot she would sometimes crouch or look wobbly but was always able to recover or get to where she was going. [Our] vet had me resume the daily 2.5mg prednisone and we did for 4 days waiting to see the vet again on Oct. 23. During that visit the vet recommended putting her down. [ ] I want to give her 6 weeks post injection. The vet gave her a steroid shot and then antibiotics in case it is a rare bacterial infection. She has been using both heated cat beds available. In the 36 hours since the shot I have seen her respond positively to get back to where she was, able to jump on the bed or couch and walk around. If she can get back to where she was or even a slight decline I think we will not put her to sleep until something else changes. She is brave and loves to be around her people, eat her treats and lay in the sun. If we can keep those elements in her life I am hopeful we can survive the Solensia shot set back. K.L., Josie’s mom, Connecticut
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October 24, 2023
My 18-year-old Siamese mix/moggy, Chris, has been receiving monthly Solensia injections since July 2023. In a few weeks he’ll receive his fifth dose. Before Solensia, Chris would only get up from his bed to eat and use his litter box. His gait was always stiff and his pace slow. Since starting Solensia, I have seen an incredible change in his behavior. Although he still cannot jump, he takes brisk walks around the house. He is brighter and more alert. He also takes more regular trips to the litter box, rather than holding it as long as possible to avoid the pain of getting up. He has also not had an outside-the-box accident since the injections began. I’m over the moon about his progress and hope he continues to benefit from the drug.
H.S., Massachusetts, USA
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October 11-2023
I wanted to share my experience after getting my 16 year old cat Sage his first Solensia injection to try to help ease his arthritis pain. The injection was recommended by the veterinarian after we ruled out thyroid issues for his meowing and apparent discomfort. He was given the injection on October 3rd. Within 48 hours he declined into a cat completely unrecognizable to me. I had Sage since he was just 8 weeks old and up until this injection he was alert, playful, loving and still active. He could get into his window hammock and loved napping in his cat tree. Over the course of a week after the injection he began pacing the edges of the apartment endlessly, day and night and would just stop when he hit a wall. No reaction, just stuck and staring at the floor. I found him stuck in corners, trapped under furniture and after 3 days it seemed he could no longer see or hear. He didn’t know who I was and didn’t react to his brother. They were littermates and raised together…always wrestling, grooming each other and sleeping together. He now had barely any reaction to his brother grooming him and his brother clearly knew something was wrong. Sage was walking right through water dishes and food bowls as if they weren’t even there and began going to the bathroom on the floor which he had NEVER done once in his entire 16 years of life. completely alert to completely mentally disabled and blind in a matter of days. On the evening of October 9th I found him slumped over and unresponsive behind my hamper and he passed shortly after that. The vet office didn’t give me any kind of warning except for mild soreness at the injection site. I’m devastated and would have just kept him on gabapentin forever to keep him comfortable if I had known the true risks.
D.D., Brooklyn, NY
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October 8, 2023
After my cat Tonka’s first Solensia injection I noticed a scab on his neck under his chin. I didn’t connect it to the Solensia. I thought he just scratched himself. I took him for his 2nd shot on schedule 4 weeks later. Within a few days he was scratching himself constantly and had crusty scabs all over his head and neck. They have developed into sores and he is miserable. If I had known I would not have gotten the 2nd shot. Tomorrow another trip to the vet to see if there is anything to ease his condition. He is 16 years old and was born at my house. I was a foster mom to rescue cats. He is my constant companion.
R. Y., Denver, Colorado
10-9-23 Dear R.Y., In the studies Zoetis submitted to the FDA and EMA to gain drug approval, they enrolled 182 cats, thought to have arthritis, to receive Solensia®. Of those cats, they reported to the EMA that focal pruritus (focal itchiness), dermatitis and alopecia (hair loss) “were common”. EMA defines “common” as more than one cat, but less than ten cats in a group. They also required the boilerplate statement “Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients” (other ingredients). A very silly statement because we all know that it is impossible to know that ahead of time. In addition to its active ingredient, frunevetmab, aka Solensia contains histidine and polysorbate to keep the ingredients in solution. Histidine can be converted by skin mast cells into histamine. (read here) Histamine release underlies the urge to itch. Both of those extra ingredients (aka excipients) have, on occasion, been associated with histamine-related itch. (read here) If any of this has anything to do with Tonka’s scabs is something I cannot tell you. Should post injection histamine release be part of his problem, perhaps an oral pre and/or post Solensia antihistamine might be in order. At the first signs of post Solensia itchiness, perhaps claw caps would also be in order. Those are decisions best made by you and your local veterinarian. Best wishes to Tonka and you, R.S.H.
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September 23, 2023
Hi: Our 17 year old cat developed arthritis after recovering from FIP with the help of 84 daily injections of the FIP medication. We heard about Solensia and asked our vet. She thought it was a good idea. After the 1st injection, Jeter improved. After the 2nd injection Jeter’s arthritis became much worse. Thank goodness we found this website. We are discontinuing the injections immediately. Do you know if the negative reaction will reverse itself once the injections are discontinued? Thank you, J.M. & M.M., Las Vegas area
Dear M, I wish I could answer that question. At this point, no one really knows. If Zoetis knows, they are not publicizing it. Solensia (frunevetmab) is an anti-nerve growth factor, an antibody that deactivates a compound, NGF, that in adults plays an important part in sensing pain. To gain FDA approval for Solensia, Zoetis provided Solensia to 182 cats for monthly treatment, and provided indistinguishable sham vials without frunevetmab to 93 cats. Of those receiving Solensia, 12 cat owners reported abnormal behavior in their cats. That included anxiety, hiding, lethargy, inappropriate urination, disorientation, vocalization, or aggressive behavior. Eleven reported post-injection lethargy in their cats, less than a third of the sham cat owners did. Eight of the 182 cat owners whose cats received Solensia reported that their cat’s lameness got worse. Only two of the owners of cats that received sham injections reported that their cat’s lameness (arthritis?) got worse. Solensia and other anti-nerve growth factor medications decrease the amount of nerve growth factor (NGF) in your cat’s body by binding to it. NGF has a protective effect on the brain. (read here) The good news is that when the effects of the injection wears off, I hope that Jeter will return to his same old self. At least the monkeys supposedly did. (1, 2)
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September 22, 2023
Hi, my 17 year old cat Emma has had 3 shots of Solensia, the last one three weeks ago and now she cannot walk at all. Lameness is listed in Solensia trials and I wish I had found it before I gave my vet the go ahead. Will it wear off after a month? She had no other health issues other than her lameness.
I.T., in the UK
9-26-2023 Is Emma feeling any better yet? 9-30-23 Hi, Emma was PTS on the 28th of September because of a massive worsening of arthritis. Our Vet believes it was an adverse reaction to solencia. At the time of passing she couldn’t walk. 10-23-23 I was sorry to get that news. No one has yet reported to me yet that these side effects wear off. Ron
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September 16, 2023
[Her cat, Gwai was 18 years old. She had “mild” arthritis since she was 5 or 6 years old]: I didn’t see any obvious improvement from the Solensia really. The decline after [my cat’s] third Solensia injection was immediate. What my cat, Gwai could do in the morning, she couldn’t do in the afternoon. […] It was like watching someone with brain or nerve damage, or some kind of motor neuron disease. Everyday she would lose more ability to move – she would crawl to the kitty litter unable to lift her limbs properly and I would hold her upright so she wouldn’t tip. Within days she would drag, using only her front legs to get off her heat pad to under the table to wee on wee mats. In the last days she weed where she was. On the last day [she was] unable to move the bottom half of her body. She was retaining fluid, her limbs were a bit puffy, her back legs inert and stiff. During this time she remained alert and communicative. She passed on the 7th July. In retrospect, there were earlier signs – particularly after the 2nd inj., she slowed down, stopped jumping on furniture or onto my knee, didn’t want to walk up stairs, more weight on the front paws than back.
Kind regards, Jackie, Melbourne, Australia
9-17-23 Dear Jackie, I am very sorry to read what occurred with Gwai. Might you tell me how old she was? Was she of a purebred breed? How did your veterinarians account for her rapid decline? Did they suspect some form of spinal tumor, or perhaps cardiomyopathy causing an aortic saddle thrombus to form? Do you feed your cats a diet that is rich in quality red meat? A lack of the taurine present in quality red meat has been known to cause cardiomyopathy in cats that results in clots lodging in the aortic bifurcation to their hind legs or the brain or both. (read here & here) That is not to say that Solensia was not in some way implicated. I just want to understand Gwai’s case better. Best wishes, RSH
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September 13, 2023
Hi, I wanted to let people know about my pet Simba’s experience with Solensia. Simba has arthritis in his hips. He was 13 years old at the time he received his first Solensia shot in August 2022. He received another Solensia shot in October 2022 and December 2022. I’m not exactly sure when he started with symptoms, but, after crying at night, he started walking around in circles. This was every night. He seemed deaf. He didn’t acknowledge his name. I took him to the vet after he had had another shot of Solensia in Jan. 2023. I told her his symptoms and she took his blood pressure. It was high. She said he was acting that way because of his high blood pressure. He just lays there on the floor with his head cocked sideways. He acts like he has dementia. May close his eyes and never puts his head down. He had just had another shot on September the 2nd.
E.M. @aol.com
9-17-23 Dear Ms. M., I do not know if Simba’s mental issues are due to Solensia or not. At animal hospitals, blood pressure readings are often elevated due to the “white coat” syndrome – just like in people but worse. Simba is 13, that’s 68 in cat years, and at that age, quite a few health issues tend to begin. If Simba’s blood analysis and physical exams are normal, the only way I know of to possibly identify what is going on is to withdraw each medication that Simba is currently taking one by one, wait a month, and see if you see an improvement in his mental state. There are hardly any medications for humans or pets that do not have potential side effects. You have to decide if the side effects are worth the relief that a medication provides. Veterinarians can’t do that for you. Only you can do that. If you decide to do that, and see any changes, please let me know. Best wishes to you and your cats, R.S.H.
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September 1, 2023
My 12-year-old cat was having arthritic symptoms so I took her to the vet and he recommended trying Solensia. She had her first injection and within days her arthritis seemed a lot better. About five weeks later she had a second injection and within hours her pupils were very dilated and movements very slow. She would not eat or drink, or use the litter box consistently. To say the least, I was extremely worried. We would find her hiding and not wanting interaction or to be disturbed. After about 10 days she started to feel better but very slowly….. We are convinced it was the Solensia, but the interesting factor is that on the first shot she was just fine, and then reacted to the second one. […] Needless to say, we discontinued this treatment, I wanted to let you know what happened in case other people experience the same thing.
L.D., Sent from my iPhone
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August 26, 2023
Hello, my cat got her first Solensia shot about a month ago. At first everything was fine…and it seemed to help her to limp less. However, I’ve noticed cognitive changes that I have not seen before..almost like dementia. She stares into space and has other small cognitive quirks she didn’t have before. In reading comments on this page, it seems others have noticed cognitive changes as well. Now, I’m afraid to continue to get these shots.
*****ry@gmail.com, Tennessee
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August 24, 2023
My cat is 2.3 kg and 8 years old, spayed, with a 4 year history of pain from osteoarthritis. She has been on and off gabapentin. It is now 3 weeks following her second Solensia injection and [she] appears more interested in being groomed and jumping from higher surfaces, so I hope to continue the treatment. One thing I am unsure of is she seemed unwell for about 4–5 days following each injection. She is very calm and playful at vet appointments so that leaves me to associate either the Solensia or a coincidental event to her symptoms. Immediately following the appointment she is lively, then day 2-6 [after] she eats less, drinks a lot of water, reduces litter box use to once a day or less (typically 4x daily), itches her eyes and ears aggressively (lasting throughout the month but no sign of alopecia or skin inflammation), is lethargic, and avoids people (typically social). At the last occurrence, I was quite alarmed and brought her to the clinic who did not see it as a concern. I would like to hear if there are other [who’s] cats have shown similar symptoms during treatment, and if the duration/severity of such symptoms changed over time with regular Solensia injections.
B.K., Canada
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August 23, 2023
Spider, [my] 17 year old Siamese has had 5 monthly [Solensia] injections. It has given him years in youth and mobility! I’m sooo pleased and he is moving around freely and a happy little old man! In fact, he seems to get more than the usual 4 weeks out of the treatment! N.P., Carolina Shores, North Carolina
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July 5, 2023
My darling 16 yr old tuxedo, Cleo, received [a] Solensia injection on Jan 24, 2023. Within 48hrs, she was completely altered – much like someone with advanced Alzheimer’s. Totally disoriented and anxious, she paced incessantly unable to recognize obstacles in her path, often walking into corners [and] urinating uncontrollably. She didn’t respond when we spoke to her, petted her, etc…she was unable to sleep and indifferent to treats. None of these behaviors had ever happened [before]. We hoped and prayed the effects would ‘wear-off’ and she’d return to her affectionate, spunky self, but she continued to deteriorate and, after 3 weeks, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Allison in NJ
I cannot tell you if Solensia caused this problem. A trip to your veterinary hospital in itself can have negative emotional effects, and elderly cats, like elderly people, often have more than one health issue that can be exacerbated by stress or make them more susceptible to drug side effects. The greater the number of actions a drug has on the body, the greater the variety of possible unwanted effect affect will be. Solensia is unlikely to be any different. Solensia (frunevetmab) is a monoclonal antibody that affects the nervous system by decreasing nerve growth factor (NGF). Nerve growth factor has an enormous number of critical, essential functions in the body. (read here) So, lowering its level in your cat’s body is going to have effects on all of them. Hopefully, the positive effects in your cat will outnumber the negative ones – if any – when they occur. Only you will be able to judge that. Whatever effects Solensia might have on your cat should cease once it is out of its system.
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June 11, 2023
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that my 13 year old tortie, Zoubi, received her 2nd Solensia injection 2 weeks ago and she is doing amazingly well. She is navigating stairs and revisiting almost all of her old hangout spots. She is herself again. She had some mild diarrhea for the first several days after her 2nd inj which has firmed up fairly well. Interested to see what happens from here.
6/12/23 After the first inj we saw mild improvement after 2 weeks, moderate at week 3, and significant at week 4. She also gets chiropractor adjustments at each visit which she seems to actually enjoy. She peaked at week 4, and after the 2nd inj had a small backslide. Not sure if it was the diarrhea or if the inj was wearing off. She was back to doing pretty well one week later and amazing at week 2. She is running up and down the stairs almost too well. Without the pain, I am aware that she will cause more wear and tear on her joints more quickly, which is a concern of mine, but I am siding with quality of life. She is a big girl at 17+ pounds and receives the 2 vial dose. I am keeping a diary to track her progress. Today she seems a little off. But she had a day or two the first month where she seemed off as well. Will keep my eye on that.
C.M., Atlanta, GA area
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June 6, 2023
I was nervous to try a relatively new treatment. I adopted a senior kitty, Mr. Muffins, so didn’t know his baseline, but he was sleeping 18–21 hrs and could spend 8–10 hrs on the same spot. I noticed his respirations were on the high end, and a google search said that could indicate pain. He appeared to have a limp from the time I got him, but recently started taking two to three hesitations before hopping up on the couch. I went to the vet thinking a physical exam or x-rays, but they recommended Solensia just by my description. I was a nervous wreck the first 24 hrs — he also got a rabies booster, and looked like he felt pretty crummy. But by day 7, I noticed he was awake more often. Week 2 he was moving around a bit more, with more frequent ups and downs on furniture. Week 3 he met me at the bottom of the stairs when I got home, and RAN up the stairs when the door opened. Week 4 he was slowing down a bit, but still was fast enough to elude cuddles…twice. The increase in type of movement may not be dramatic at this point, but the ease of movement is significant. He appears more comfortable, and those respirations seem slower. We got the second shot today with no issues.
9/2/2023 So sorry I missed the 60 day update. But Mr Muffins is going in for shot 5 next week. He is doing very well on Solensia. Today he actually did ‘zoomies’ and was running in circles chasing a toy. He has no hesitations in jumping up on his favorite sofa now, and overall seems to be living a more comfortable and active life. We have had no complaints. If anything, I notice he runs out of steam day 25 or 26 (he is right at 15 lb weight), and seems to get same day relief on the day of his shot.
J**********@gmail.com
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April 17, 2023, at 3:43 PM K.S. wrote:
Hi! I have 2 cats – Callie is a diabetic 13 year old and Tuna is a non-diabetic 15 year old. I started Tuna on Solensia a month ago and am already noticing a difference as we near her 2nd injection in 4 days. She has much more energy and is basically back to bouncing off the walls when she gets the zoomies, isn’t having issues of tipping over in the litter box when pooping, and no longer has trouble jumping or using stairs. Today I spoke with my vet about symptoms I am noticing in my 13 year old- she has never been much of a zoomie cat but recently has become more playful as her diabetes numbers have lowered. In late 2022/early 2023, she went through several hospitalizations for hypoglycemia and then DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), and is now back on the mend and stabilizing in her glucose levels. I rarely see her jumping up on furniture, and if she does, she takes very measured and calculated methods to get down. I would like to try the Solensia injections in my diabetic cat but can’t find any information on potential effects with diabetic cats. Just curious if anyone has had a diabetic cat on this injection and if they had any issues around diabetes and keeping glucose levels under control? Thanks for any insight!
K. S., Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.
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On Wed, Aug 3, 2022, at 10:21 AM B.L wrote:
Hi, My sweet cat’s name is Lilly. She is 16 years old and has significant arthritic pain. She is a trooper and still climbs on things but is VERY sensitive if anyone pets her on her backside, closer to her tail. She is scheduled for her first injection in 2 weeks. I’m nervous about potential side effects – from anaphylaxis to uncomfortable itching and fur loss. She has had kidney insufficiency. (she is also hyperthyroid) I understand the studies were only based on 3 months of the medication. What if it exacerbates her kidney disease? I’m really interested to know how other cats have tolerated this medication and if it helped them. I plan to update this after she received her first injection – if I go through with it. Hope some people write in with their experiences soon and hope this medication helps all of our fur babies.
Michigan, USA
February 18, 2023, Dear Dr. Hines, Lilly is doing really well! She has now had 6 injections of Solensia and her pain is much diminished. She is getting up and down stairs better now and climbing more than before the Solensia was started. She can easily jump onto the couch now without hesitation. She no longer flinches at all when anyone pets her back side or when her vet examines her. She was very sensitive there before. He stage 2 kidney disease has remained stable. The hyperthyroidism is well managed, and she is finally gaining a little weight. She seems happy overall and is a delightful kitty. Best, Lisa and Lilly
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On Tuesday, Aug 9, 2022, at 3:34 PM E.M wrote:
Dear Dr. Hines, I am not an expert in the field of Nerve Growth Factor and pain. But I am aware that anti-NGF therapies might have beneficial effects in pain management. Increased concentrations of NGF have been reported in chronic pain conditions such as interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, arthritis, pancreatitis, chronic headaches, cancer pain, diabetic neuropathy, and non-cancer pain. Several early clinical trial have not reported consistent efficacy for anti-NGF drugs in treating pain. However, as you pointed out, Solensia, an anti-NGF monoclonal antibody therapy, has been approved to control feline OA pain. I am not aware of studies investigating the effect of this drug on brain function. So one can only speculate what the effects of lowering NGF level might have on brain function in cats. In primate, rodents and human, a lack of NGF or alterations to it cognate receptors (p75NTR and TrkA) result in cognitive decline in the aged and Alzheimer’s disease brain. Reducing NGF in brain will also have a deleterious effect upon the cholinergic neuron basal forebrain cortical projection system that is dependent upon NGF for its survival. Decrements in NGF would likely activate a cascade of events leading to either cell death in the brain, not to mention the possibility of the formation of brain lesions (plaques and tangles) and long-term alterations to inflammatory mediators within the central and peripheral nervous systems. Since the trigeminal system expresses the NGF low-affinity p75 receptor, reducing NGF may result in unwanted actions. There may be unexpected actions that are specific to the age of the cat and its medical history.
Take care, E. M., PhD, Chair in Neuroscience, Translational Neuroscience and Neurology, Arizona
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