Adequan®, Librela®, and NSAIDs: Which Arthritis Treatment Does My Dog Need?

One of the most common questions I hear from owners is:

“If my dog is already getting Librela®, do they still need Adequan®?”

Or...

“Can I stop my dog's anti-inflammatory medication now that they're getting injections?”

It's an understandable question.

After all, if several treatments help arthritis, why would a dog need more than one?

The answer is simple:

Because they work in completely different ways.

Rather than competing with one another, these medications often complement each other.

Understanding the difference helps explain why veterinarians frequently recommend using more than one arthritis therapy at the same time.

NSAIDs: Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Examples include:

• Carprofen (Rimadyl®, Novox®)
• Meloxicam (Metacam®)
• Deracoxib (Deramaxx®)
• Firocoxib (Previcox®)
• Robenacoxib (Onsior®)

These medications work by blocking inflammatory chemicals (COX enzymes) that contribute to pain and inflammation.

For many dogs, NSAIDs provide rapid and significant pain relief.

They're often the first prescription medication used for osteoarthritis.

Strengths

• Excellent pain control.
• Strong scientific evidence.
• Rapid onset of action.
• Improve daily comfort and mobility.

Limitations

• Do not repair damaged cartilage.
• Require monitoring in many patients.
• Not appropriate for every dog, especially those with certain kidney, liver, stomach, or bleeding disorders.

Adequan®: Supporting the Joint

Adequan works very differently.

Instead of primarily blocking pain, it helps support the health of the joint itself.

Research suggests it may:

• Protect cartilage.
• Reduce cartilage breakdown.
• Improve joint lubrication.
• Reduce inflammation within the joint.

Adequan doesn't usually provide the dramatic pain relief that an NSAID can, but over time it may help preserve joint function.

I often think of Adequan as an investment in the long-term health of the joint.

Librela®: Turning Down the Pain Signal

Librela is one of the newest arthritis treatments available.

Rather than acting on inflammation or cartilage, Librela targets a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF), which plays an important role in transmitting pain.

By blocking NGF, Librela helps reduce the pain signals reaching the brain.

Many owners notice improvements in:

• Rising from lying down.
• Walking.
• Climbing stairs.
• Playing.
• Overall activity.

It is given as a once-monthly injection by your veterinarian.

So...Which One Is Better?

The honest answer is:

None of them.

They're designed to do different jobs.

Think of arthritis like a three-legged stool.

Each treatment supports a different part of the problem.

That's why many dogs benefit from more than one treatment.

Can They Be Used Together?

Yes—and they often are.

Depending on your dog's medical history, your veterinarian may recommend combinations such as:

• Weight management + NSAID.
• NSAID + Adequan.
• Librela + Adequan.
• Librela + rehabilitation.
• NSAID + Librela (in selected patients).
• All three, along with exercise and home modifications.

Using multiple therapies that work in different ways is called multimodal pain management, and it's considered one of the most effective approaches to treating chronic arthritis.

Will Every Dog Need All Three?

No.

Some dogs do beautifully with weight management and an NSAID.

Others may receive only Librela.

Some respond exceptionally well to Adequan.

And some dogs with advanced arthritis truly benefit from combining all three.

There isn't a single recipe that works for every patient.

That's why regular rechecks and individualized treatment plans are so important.

My Perspective

Quick Comparison

My Recommendation

I don't think of these as competing therapies.

I think of them as teammates.

For many dogs, combining the right treatments—along with weight management, exercise, rehabilitation, and regular veterinary care—provides far better results than relying on any single medication alone.