Advancements in Veterinary medicine give pet lovers new options
Photos by Steven Ross
By Brandon McKim
In 1986 monoclonal antibody therapy was approved by FDA for humans. Over 100 monoclonal antibodies are now available for humans to treat a variety of conditions like cancer, autoimmune disorders (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease /Ulcerative Colitis), organ transplant rejection, and Covid 19. Those same monoclonal antibodies therapies are also available for animals.
So what does this mean for your pet(s)? Monoclonal antibody therapies provide for a safer and more convenient treatment alternative compared to previously used medications. Normally drugs are metabolized and eliminated from the body primarily by the kidneys and the liver. However, monoclonal antibodies are broken down by your pet’s body just like any other protein. Therefore, there are fewer side effects, complications, and contraindications for their use. Currently, there are four commonly used monoclonal antibody therapies in general veterinary practice: Cytopoint, Solensia, Librela, and Canine Parvo Monoclonal Antibody(CPMA).
- Cytopoint is used to treat allergies and itchiness in dogs. The antibody works by binding to a specific protein, preventing itch and inflammation from occurring. This is an injectable treatment, much like a vaccine, given every four to eight weeks as symptoms dictate.
- Solensia and Librela are therapies available for osteoarthritis (OA) pain—Solensia for cats and Librela for dogs. Both work by binding to a protein, stopping the pain signals associated with OA. These therapies are once monthly injections.
- Canine Parvo Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA), is used to treat a fatal intestinal virus in young and unvaccinated puppies. CPMA binds to and neutralizes the parvo virus preventing it from entering a puppy’s cells, therefore, increasing survival rate (average survival rate with CPMA therapy is 93%) and shortening hospital stays by an average of 1.87 days. CPMA is an in-hospital single-dose IV injection.
With the safety, success and convenience of the current available monoclonal antibody therapies, as well as the continued research in the field, veterinary medicine will see many more antibody therapies in the future. This will only serve to improve overall quality of life for pets.
Kent Farms Animal Hospital owner Dr. Brandon McKim has a wide array of veterinary experience in medicine and surgery with a special interest in orthopedic surgery. McKim is a native of Alabaster, where he lives with his wife, Melissa, daughters Neeley, Madelyn, and Nora, and their dog, Newton and cats, Krispy and Aubie.