I HAVE been thinking a lot about things recently.

Important, life mattering things.

Like how many packets of ready salted crisps is it safe to eat per day? What is the most apt name for a male Chihuahua? Why are veterinary nurses so temperamental? Where does all the salt and grit that is spread on the roads go? Why is neswspaper edtiors sew bad at ediiting?

Let's not forger key queries like will my children be grandparents before the Scotland football team next qualifies for a proper tournament?

And what do you know about monoclonal antibodies? Never heard of them? Soon you will.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are man-made proteins that behave like antibodies in the immune system. While we normally think of antibodies fighting bacteria and viruses, mAbs can be made to target different antigens, such as those found on cancer cells. Since they are proteins (and, fundamentally, not drugs), side effects are rare and mild. Recently, a number of mAbs have also been used to fight Covid-19 to great effect.

But there’s more. (C’mon, this is The Tele, after all. Of course there is more.) Cytopoint (chemical name, lokivetmab) was the first mAb to be used in veterinary medicine. It is an injectable preparation that works by targeting the mediators of itching, thus improving the quality of life of allergic dogs. It works within 24 hours and lasts around a month. Clinical trials showed a 65 per cent improvement in symptoms after the first injection and, by the third, 93 per cent of patients were itching far, far less than before. The response to treatment in some of our patients has been life changing. And that’s with none of the unwanted, significant side-effects of steroids.

There are other veterinary drug medications that are effective but potentially damaging. Non-steroid anti-inflammatories are widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This complicated, degenerative condition is common, affecting a large percentage of the pet population, with an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of all dogs and 90 per cent of all cats over 12 years of age clinically affected. The signs are obvious; stiffness, reluctance to exercise and pain. While the drugs are good, a small proportion of patients suffer gastro-intestinal upsets, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, and care must be taken in very elderly patients, who may have underlying kidney or liver issues.

But there is good news!

Librela (chemical name, bedinvetmab) is the first, injectable, licensed monoclonal antibody for the alleviation of osteoarthritic pain in dogs. It works by binding to a substance called Nerve Growth factor (NGF), which, although vital for the development of the nervous system in the pre and immediately post-natal periods, becomes troublesome in adults, where it is released by damaged joint cells causing pain. After only one injection of Librela, dogs with osteoarthritis exhibited increased mobility and decreased pain. Again, not all respond, but we have seen some remarkable improvements in many dogs.

If you have one of the arthritic dogs that doesn’t take to medicines very well, Librela is well worth asking your vet about. There is now also an injection for cats...