Update (June 17, 2026): Survey of 373 Vets Finds Wide Canine OA Practice Variation — Bedinvetmab Paresis/Ataxia Signal at 31%

TL;DR

A May 2026 cross-sectional survey of 373 veterinary respondents found wide variation in canine osteoarthritis management, with NSAIDs as the dominant drug class and bedinvetmab and grapiprant among the most commonly reported non-NSAID choices; 31% of respondents reported perceived paresis, ataxia, or proprioceptive deficits associated with bedinvetmab.

What just dropped

• Bird et al. 2026 (Front Vet Sci 2026;13:1814641, published May 29 2026; DOI 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814641; PMID 42290771): cross-sectional, observational, voluntary-response survey distributed to veterinarians assessing OA diagnostic approaches, treatment frequency, and perceived adverse events for grapiprant and bedinvetmab; 373 responses analysed.
• NSAIDs were the most prescribed drug class. Among non-NSAID medications, gabapentin, bedinvetmab, and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan) were most prescribed. Omega-3 fatty acids and weight management were the top nutraceutical and non-pharmacological treatments.
• 53% of respondents used imaging whenever possible to confirm OA. Respondents with higher training levels (specialty training, rehabilitation certificates) and more years of experience used imaging more often.
• American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) diplomates and rehabilitation-certified veterinarians were less likely to use bedinvetmab and glucosamine/chondroitin and more likely to use ketamine, amantadine, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, and several nutraceuticals.
• Perceived adverse events for bedinvetmab: paresis/ataxia/proprioceptive deficits (31%), polyuria/polydipsia (25%).
• Perceived adverse events for grapiprant: diarrhea (33%), vomiting (31%).

Context

This survey captures real-world prescribing patterns across a spectrum of veterinary backgrounds rather than controlled clinical trial populations. Voluntary-response surveys carry selection bias -- responders may represent more pharmacovigilance-aware practitioners. Perceived adverse events are not confirmed diagnoses and cannot establish causality. The data nonetheless provide a snapshot of how variation in training shapes multimodal OA management and which pharmacovigilance signals are most frequently noticed in clinical practice.

The 31% perceived neurological AE rate for bedinvetmab is consistent with the signal previously reported in Farrell 2025 and the Bird 2026 survey adds a large voluntary respondent base to this observation. As noted in that prior literature, the biological plausibility (NGF plays a role in neuronal development and proprioception) and the temporally associated signal warrant continued pharmacovigilance attention.

What this changes in grapiprant-canine-osteoarthritis-pain (https://www.thevoyage.ai/forvets/knowledge/grapiprant-canine-osteoarthritis-pain)

The Bird 2026 survey confirms grapiprant remains an actively used non-NSAID choice across practice types, with GI tolerability (diarrhea 33%, vomiting 31% perceived) as the dominant practitioner-reported concern. The survey reinforces that grapiprant and bedinvetmab occupy distinct positions in multimodal canine OA management based on clinician training level and rehabilitation orientation.

References

1. Bird E, Miscioscia E, Montalbano C, Colee J, Repac J. Variations in the management of canine osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional survey of veterinary practices. Front Vet Sci. 2026 May 29;13:1814641. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1814641 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1814641)

Related reads

• Bedinvetmab (Librela) Adverse Events in Dogs: Neurological Safety Profile
• Grapiprant (Galliprant) for Canine Osteoarthritis Pain: EP4 Antagonism and Clinical Evidence
• Enflicoxib (Daxocox) for Canine Osteoarthritis: A Once-Weekly COX-2 Selective NSAID