Pet owners across Australia are preparing a class action against Zoetis, the manufacturer of Beransa, an osteoarthritis treatment for dogs, following reports of severe adverse effects and deaths. These pet owners claim their dogs experienced debilitating symptoms, including confusion, lethargy, and even death, after being administered the drug.
The controversy surrounding Beransa began with Courtney Christie, who lost her 12-year-old dog Lotte after she was treated with the medication. Lotte, a kelpie koolie cross, was prescribed Beransa to manage her osteoarthritis symptoms. However, after receiving the second dose, Lotte’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to platelet loss and hemorrhaging. Despite aggressive treatment, Lotte was ultimately euthanized. Christie’s research revealed that similar adverse events had been reported in the United States, where the drug is sold under the name Librela. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had even forced Zoetis to update its labels to include “death” as a possible side effect.
In response to mounting concerns, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) acknowledged the reports of adverse reactions and indicated it was monitoring the situation. However, the Australian regulator has yet to update Beransa’s labeling to reflect the risks, despite the FDA’s warnings.
While Zoetis maintains that adverse reactions are rare, with fewer than 10 incidents per 10,000 doses, and continues to support the drug’s safety, veterinarians have mixed views. Some, like Dr. Andrew Spanner, an Adelaide-based veterinarian, argue that the drug has provided significant benefits to many dogs, improving their quality of life and mobility. Others, however, caution that negative reports and social media backlash could harm the drug’s availability in the future.
Ray Dalli, another pet owner who lost his dog Daisy after Beransa treatment, has also joined the push for better transparency regarding the medication’s risks. Daisy suffered from severe side effects, including spasms, confusion, and weight loss, leading to her euthanasia. Dalli and others are now seeking legal action to hold Zoetis accountable for not providing adequate information about the potential risks.
As the debate intensifies, veterinarians and pet owners alike stress the importance of informed consent, ensuring that pet owners are fully aware of the potential side effects before choosing to administer the drug. Despite the controversy, many agree that Beransa has been a game-changer for managing osteoarthritis in dogs—but only for those whose conditions have not responded to other treatments.