NSAIDs vs. Librela vs. Adequan®: Choosing the Right Arthritis Treatment for Your Dog
Understanding the Different Tools We Use to Manage Canine Osteoarthritis
By Dr. Lisa Mason, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP
One of the most common questions I hear from dog owners after an arthritis diagnosis is:
"What is the best medication for my dog?"
It is an important question—and one that deserves a thoughtful answer.
The reality is that there is no single medication that is the "best" choice for every dog with osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a complex disease that affects each dog differently, and successful treatment depends on understanding the individual patient, the stage of disease, the level of discomfort, other health conditions, lifestyle, and goals.
Over the last several years, veterinary medicine has made tremendous advances in how we manage canine osteoarthritis. We now have more options than ever before, including traditional anti-inflammatory medications, newer targeted therapies, and injectable products designed to support joint health.
Three of the most commonly discussed arthritis treatments today are:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Librela® (bedinvetmab)
Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan)
Pet owners often ask how these treatments compare, which one their dog should receive, and whether one option is safer or more effective than another.
The answer is more nuanced.
These therapies work in different ways because arthritis itself is not caused by a single problem. Osteoarthritis involves inflammation, changes within the joint environment, cartilage damage, bone remodeling, nerve sensitization, and loss of muscle strength. Because so many factors contribute to arthritis pain, the most successful treatment plans often use a multimodal approach—combining several strategies that address different parts of the disease.
At Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation, our goal is not simply to make a dog comfortable today. Our goal is to help dogs maintain mobility, preserve muscle strength, stay engaged with their families, and enjoy the activities that make life meaningful.
Medication can be an important part of that plan, but it works best when combined with other tools such as:
Rehabilitation therapy
Therapeutic exercise
Weight management
Joint support
Environmental modifications
Regenerative and supportive therapies
To understand where these medications fit, it helps to first understand what is happening inside an arthritic joint.
Arthritis Is More Than "Wear and Tear"
Many people think of arthritis as a simple wearing down of cartilage. While cartilage changes are part of osteoarthritis, the disease is much more complicated.
A healthy joint relies on a balance between:
Smooth cartilage surfaces
Healthy synovial fluid
Normal joint motion
Strong supporting muscles
Stable ligaments and tendons
When osteoarthritis develops, inflammation increases inside the joint. This inflammation contributes to cartilage breakdown, changes in the bone beneath the cartilage, thickening of the joint capsule, and discomfort during movement.
Over time, pain can lead to decreased activity.
Decreased activity leads to muscle loss.
Muscle loss creates less support around the joint.
The joint becomes less stable and more painful.
This cycle is why treating arthritis requires more than simply reducing pain. We want to interrupt the cycle and help the dog regain function.
Why There Is No "One Size Fits All" Arthritis Medication
Every dog with arthritis is different.
A young athletic dog recovering from a cruciate ligament injury has different needs than a 13-year-old Labrador with chronic hip arthritis.
A dog with kidney disease may not be a candidate for certain medications.
A senior dog with multiple painful joints may need a different strategy than a dog with one isolated problem.
When choosing arthritis treatments, I consider:
The dog's stage of osteoarthritis
Using tools such as the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST) helps us understand where a dog is in the progression of disease.
A dog in early-stage arthritis may benefit from proactive strategies aimed at slowing progression, while a dog with advanced arthritis may need stronger pain control and support for daily function.
(Learn more: Understanding the Stages of Arthritis in Dogs)
The source of pain
Not all arthritis pain is the same.
Some dogs have primarily inflammatory pain.
Others have chronic pain associated with changes in the nervous system.
Some have significant mechanical problems caused by instability or muscle weakness.
Understanding the type of pain helps guide treatment choices.
The dog's lifestyle
A retired senior dog and a competitive agility dog may both have arthritis, but their treatment goals are different.
One goal may be comfortable daily walks around the neighborhood.
Another may be safely returning to athletic activity.
The best treatment plan supports what matters most to each individual dog and family.
NSAIDs: The Traditional Foundation of Arthritis Pain Management
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, have been one of the cornerstones of canine arthritis treatment for many years.
Examples commonly used in veterinary medicine include:
Carprofen
Meloxicam
Deracoxib
Firocoxib
NSAIDs work primarily by reducing inflammation and decreasing the production of substances involved in pain signaling.
Because inflammation plays such an important role in osteoarthritis, reducing inflammatory pathways can significantly improve comfort and mobility in many dogs.
Benefits of NSAIDs
For many dogs, NSAIDs provide:
Improved comfort
Better willingness to exercise
Increased mobility
Improved quality of life
Reduced inflammation within affected joints
I often hear owners say, "I didn't realize how much pain my dog was in until we started treatment."
That is because dogs frequently adapt to chronic discomfort. When pain is reduced, owners often notice their personality returning—more interest in walks, more interaction with family, and more enthusiasm for normal activities.
Considerations With NSAIDs
Like all medications, NSAIDs are not right for every patient.
Before starting long-term NSAID therapy, veterinarians typically consider:
Kidney function
Liver health
Gastrointestinal history
Other medications
Overall health status
Routine monitoring through veterinary examinations and blood work is important for dogs receiving long-term NSAID therapy.
It is also important that owners never combine medications without veterinary guidance. Certain medication combinations can increase the risk of side effects.
NSAIDs remain an important and effective tool, but they are not the only option available today.
Librela®: A Targeted Approach to Arthritis Pain
One advance in recent years in veterinary pain management has been the introduction of Librela® (bedinvetmab) for canine osteoarthritis.
Unlike traditional anti-inflammatory medications that work broadly on inflammatory pathways, Librela takes a more targeted approach by addressing a specific pathway involved in chronic arthritis pain.
Librela is a monoclonal antibody therapy designed to neutralize nerve growth factor (NGF), a key molecule involved in osteoarthritis pain signaling. NGF increases during osteoarthritis and contributes to both pain sensitivity and changes in the nervous system that can make chronic pain more difficult to manage.
By targeting NGF, Librela helps reduce the transmission of arthritis-related pain signals.
Benefits of Librela®
Many dogs receiving Librela experience improvements in:
Mobility
Comfort
Willingness to exercise
Ability to perform daily activities
Overall quality of life
One of the reasons Librela has been such a valuable addition to our arthritis toolbox is that it works differently from traditional medications. This gives veterinarians another option for dogs who may not respond adequately to NSAIDs or who have health considerations that make other choices more challenging.
Is Librela® Right for Every Dog?
While Librela has been a tremendous advancement, it is not automatically the right choice for every patient.
When considering Librela, I evaluate:
The dog's overall health
Other medications being used
The severity and type of pain
Previous response to other therapies
The family's goals for their dog's mobility
As with any medication, ongoing monitoring and communication between the veterinary team and the family are important.
One of the things I emphasize with owners is that pain management is not a "set it and forget it" process. Arthritis changes over time, and treatment plans should evolve as a dog's needs change.
Adequan®: Supporting the Joint Environment
Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is another important tool we use in managing canine osteoarthritis.
Unlike medications that primarily focus on reducing pain signals, Adequan works within the joint environment to support healthier joint function.
Adequan has several proposed effects, including:
Supporting cartilage health
Improving joint lubrication
Reducing inflammatory processes within the joint
Helping protect cartilage from further breakdown
Because osteoarthritis is a disease of the entire joint—not just pain—therapies that support the joint environment can be an important part of long-term management.
Why I Often Consider Adequan® Early
One of the things I appreciate about Adequan is that it can be incorporated into a proactive arthritis plan.
Many owners come to us after their dog has been uncomfortable for months or years. However, arthritis management is most successful when we address the disease before significant loss of mobility and muscle occurs.
Adequan may be considered for:
Dogs with early arthritis changes
Dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery
Dogs with chronic joint disease
Athletic dogs requiring joint support
Senior dogs needing mobility support
The goal is not simply to manage symptoms but to help support joint health as part of a larger plan.
NSAIDs vs. Librela® vs. Adequan®: How Do They Compare?
The most important thing to understand is that these treatments are not necessarily competitors.
They work through different mechanisms.
The right choice depends on the individual dog.
Some dogs respond beautifully to one therapy.
Others benefit most from a combination approach.
Why Multimodal Arthritis Management Works Best
One of the biggest changes in veterinary medicine has been moving away from the idea that arthritis can be managed with one medication alone.
Pain is complex.
The joint is complex.
The dog's entire body is involved.
A comprehensive arthritis plan may include:
Pain management
This may involve NSAIDs, Librela®, Adequan®, joint injections, or other medications depending on the dog's needs.
Rehabilitation therapy
Rehabilitation is one of the most powerful tools we have because it addresses something medication alone cannot:
muscle strength and function.
Strong muscles protect joints.
Improved flexibility supports movement.
Better balance reduces strain.
Therapeutic exercise helps dogs regain confidence and independence.
(Learn more: Rehabilitation for Arthritis in Dogs)
Weight management
Even a small amount of excess weight can significantly increase stress on arthritic joints.
Weight management is one of the most effective ways families can influence arthritis progression.
(Learn more: Weight Management for Dogs With Arthritis)
Home modifications
Simple changes can make a tremendous difference:
Non-slip flooring
Ramps or steps
Supportive bedding
Elevated food bowls when appropriate
Limiting repetitive high-impact activity
Additional therapies
Depending on the patient, additional options may include:
Acupuncture
Laser therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Joint injections
Regenerative medicine approaches
The goal is always the same:
Use the right combination of therapies to help each dog function at their highest possible level.
Common Questions About Arthritis Medications
Is Librela® better than NSAIDs?
Neither medication is universally better. They work differently and may be appropriate for different dogs. Some dogs respond best to NSAIDs, some to Librela®, and some benefit from a combination approach.
Can my dog take NSAIDs and Librela® together?
In some cases, veterinarians may use multiple therapies together, but medication combinations should always be discussed with your veterinarian. Every dog should be evaluated individually based on health status and risk factors.
Does Adequan® cure arthritis?
No. Currently, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, Adequan® may help support joint health and is often used as part of a comprehensive arthritis management plan.
How do I know if my dog's arthritis treatment is working?
Look for changes in function, not just the absence of obvious pain.
Positive changes may include:
More willingness to walk
Easier transitions from lying to standing
Better interest in play
Improved stamina
More interaction with family
Better ability to perform daily activities
Quality of life improvements are often the most meaningful measure of success.
Choosing the Right Arthritis Treatment for Your Dog
The best arthritis treatment plan begins with understanding your dog—not simply choosing a medication.
At Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation, we evaluate:
Your dog's history
Current mobility
Arthritis stage
Pain level
Muscle condition
Lifestyle
Family goals
From there, we create a personalized plan designed to address the entire picture.
Medication can be an important piece of arthritis management, but it works best when combined with strategies that improve strength, mobility, and function.
My goal as a rehabilitation veterinarian is not just to help dogs hurt less.
It is to help them move better, stay stronger, and continue participating in the activities that make them happy.
Final Thoughts: Arthritis Treatment Is a Partnership
A diagnosis of arthritis does not mean your dog's best days are behind them.
With today's treatment options, we can do more than ever before to help dogs remain active and comfortable.
The most successful arthritis plans are built through partnership—between veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, and families who know their dogs best.
If your dog is showing signs of arthritis, don't wait until mobility has significantly declined. Early intervention gives us more opportunities to preserve function and improve quality of life.
If you have noticed stiffness, slowing down, difficulty getting up, reluctance to jump, or changes in your dog's activity level, schedule a consultation.
Together, we can create a plan that helps your dog enjoy more comfortable movement and more good days doing the things they love.
Because every dog deserves the opportunity to move through life with comfort, confidence, and joy.
— Dr. Lisa Mason, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP