Arthritis injection cost for dogs and cats
Monthly arthritis injections like Librela (dogs) and Solensia (cats) have become common. The price mostly follows your pet's weight.
Last updated: October 2026 · US prices · 2 sources · see sources
What it costs
| Item | Typical US price | Src |
|---|---|---|
| One injection at the vet (owner bills) | $60–$190 | [1] |
Each source measures something a little different: published clinic prices, national averages or real owner bills. Use them to plan, and ask your vet for a written estimate.
What it is
These injections are given at the clinic, usually once a month. Librela and Solensia are antibodies that block a pain signal called nerve growth factor. Adequan is a different injectable joint medicine. [2]
When vets recommend it
They're used for ongoing arthritis pain, often alongside weight control and other treatments your vet recommends. [2]
Recovery and aftercare
Ask for the yearly total, not just one visit, since these are long-term treatments. [2]
Medicines vets often use around this treatment: Librela, Solensia, Adequan. We don't list doses; your vet will decide what fits your pet.
What affects the cost
- Your pet’s weight All three are priced by weight. A larger pet can need a second vial at each visit. [1]
- Which injection Librela and Solensia are monthly. Adequan starts with a series of injections, then fewer. [1]
- The exam fee An exam is $40–$70. Charged every month, it adds $500 or more a year. [1]
- The kind of practice and where you live City and specialty practices charge more. [1]
Ways to save
- Ask about injection-only visits Many practices let a technician give the monthly injection without a $40–$70 exam fee. Over a year that is $500 or more. [1]
- For Adequan, ask your vet about a multi-dose vial Online pet pharmacies sell vials for about $250–$330 with a prescription. Your vet decides whether injections at home suit your pet. [1]
- Ask about the manufacturer’s rewards program Zoetis Petcare Rewards gives rebates on Librela and Solensia. [1]
Common questions
How much does arthritis injection for dogs and cats cost?
One injection at the vet (owner bills): $60–$190. Your vet's written estimate is what counts, since prices vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs.
How much does an arthritis injection cost for a dog or cat?
In VetReceipt's data (13 real vet bill line items), arthritis injections run $60–$190 per injection depending on the drug and your pet's weight. Librela (dogs) and Solensia (cats) are monthly injections; Adequan is given as a series. The injection price usually does not include the exam fee ($40–$70), so ask whether your clinic offers technician-only injection visits after the first appointment.
How much does Librela cost for dogs?
In VetReceipt's invoice data, Librela injections ran $103–$138. Industry pricing spans $65–$250 per monthly injection, and weight is the biggest factor — dosing is weight-based, so a 70 lb dog costs meaningfully more per shot than a 15 lb dog. Over a full year of monthly injections, that's roughly $780–$3,000 including visit fees, so it's worth asking your vet for the per-injection price and whether an exam fee applies every visit.
Will pet insurance pay for it?
Many accident-and-illness plans help with treatment like this if the problem isn't pre-existing and any waiting period has passed. Check your policy, and ask your vet for an itemized estimate you can send to the insurer ahead of time.
Related
This page is general information for pet owners, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.