Solensia For Cats: Does it Really Work?

As our cats age, they experience the same aches and pains from arthritis that we do. And this can make normal daily activities, like climbing stairs or using the litter box, challenging. Solencia is a relatively new veterinary prescription medication for osteoarthritis in cats that has shown to be very promising in relieving pain and stiffness so our cats can lead longer, happier lives. Keep reading to learn more about Solensia for cats.

Arthritis in Cats

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that causes inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. It is believed that 90% of cats over the age of 10 will experience OA in at least one joint. Cats with OA experience pain and stiffness in their joints which makes moving and grooming difficult.

OA is diagnosed through a comprehensive physical examination. Your vet will palpate (feel) your cat, and extend their legs to get an idea of the stiffness of joints. They will watch closely to see how your cat reacts. This gives them an idea of the amount of pain your cat may be experiencing. 

Your vet may also use other diagnostic tools such as X-rays or other imaging technology. 

What Causes Arthritis in Cats?

There is not one single cause of arthritis in cats. Many factors contribute to the development of the condition:

• Abnormal joint development (hip or elbow dysplasia or luxating patellas)
• Weight (excess weight can put extra strain on joints)
• Past injuries (fractures or ligament damage, joint infections, etc.)
• Dietary history
• Orthopedic surgery

It’s important for cat parents to understand that OA is not a result of just “getting old.” Most cats with OA will experience a combination of the above factors.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Cats

All cats are unique, so not all of them will show the exact same signs of OA. The following are some of the most common signs cat parents may notice:

• Difficulty getting up and down
• Walking stiffly
• Lameness in one or more legs
• Reluctance to go up or down steps
• Reluctance to jump up or down
• Reluctance to play
• Stiff, swollen, or sore joints
• Reluctance to be touched on some parts of the body
• Unexpected aggression toward other cats or humans
• Hiding more than usual
• House soiling (when a cat has difficulty getting in and out of their litter box)
• Poor coat condition (because self-grooming becomes difficult)

What Is Solensia?

Solensia for cats has been specifically formulated to address the pain and stiffness of OA. The drug works differently than some traditionally-prescribed Pain and anti-inflammatories. 

To start, Solencia is an injection that is given once every month. Inside the medication is a cat-specific monoclonal antibody that aims to prevent cats from experiencing the pain of osteoarthritis rather than by directly treating it. 

Solencia’s active ingredient, called Frunevetmab, targets Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a critical component in joint pain signaling and inflammation. In simple terms, the active ingredient binds to NGF, blocking its interaction with pain receptors. The result is less pain sensations and increased comfort for your fur baby!

Solencia typically takes two to three doses for you to observe noticeable effects, though some cat parents have reported seeing improvements after just one dose. One of the major benefits of Solencia over other pain medications, is that it has very little impact on the liver, kidneys, and GI tract. This makes it a safer OA treatment option.

Does Solencia for Cats Have Any Side Effects?

While very safe and generally well-tolerated, there may be a few side effects when administering Solencia. These include nausea, vomiting, or mild pain at the injection site.  To receive Solencia, cats must weigh at least 5 pounds and be older than 1 year. Solencia should not be given to pregnant, breeding, or nursing cats.

If you think your fur baby may benefit from Solencia, speak to your vet.

Pet Insurance – Pain Relief for Pet Parents

We do our best to take care of our pets as they age. Pet Insurance can help. It can be incredibly stressful to watch your fur baby suffer with a disease or injury. What makes it even harder is worrying how you’re going to pay the bills.

A pet insurance plan can reimburse you for up to 90% of veterinary costs. That’s peace of mind, and that’s priceless!

Here are the top pet insurance providers – in order – based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

 

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	10,254
4.9	Healthy Paws	7,461
4.9	Fetch	171
4.9	Lemonade	774
4.8	Trupanion	55,007
4.8	Nationwide	21,391
4.8	Prudent Pet	124
4.7	ASPCA	5,692
4.7	Hartville	164
4.7	MetLife	408
4.7	PetPartners	98
4.7	Spot	159
4.5	Pets Best	7,187
4.4	AKC	889
4.4	Figo	587
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pumpkin	54
3.4	ManyPets	10

 

1. References:
2. https://www.zoetisus.com/products/cats/solensia
3. https://fairhavenvet.com/solensia-a-breakthrough-treatment-for-feline-osteoarthritis/

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.