Efficacy of bedinvetmab on pain, activity, and body composition in obese dogs with osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background and Aim: Obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) frequently coexist in dogs and synergistically impair mobility, muscle integrity, and quality of life (QoL). Conventional management using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be limited by adverse effects, particularly in overweight and geriatric patients. Bedinvetmab, a canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, offers targeted analgesia with a favorable safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bedinvetmab on daily physical activity, chronic pain, and body composition in obese dogs with OA. Materials and Methods: A 56-day prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 28 client-owned obese dogs diagnosed with OA. Dogs were allocated to receive either bedinvetmab (1 mg/kg) or placebo via subcutaneous injection on Days 0 and 28. Daily activity was quantified as the mean accelerometer-derived activity count per day (MAC/day). Pain and QoL were assessed using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory. Body composition parameters included body weight, body condition score, abdominal girth, thigh girth, and estimated body fat percentage. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and correlation analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The treatment group demonstrated significant improvements in both objective and subjective outcomes. MAC/day increased significantly over time, with a 25.6% rise from baseline by Day 56 (p = 0.032). Concurrently, total pain scores decreased significantly, with a mean reduction of 1.95 points (p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between MAC/day and pain scores (r = -0.519, p < 0.001), indicating that reduced pain was associated with increased activity. Body weight did not change significantly; however, the treatment group exhibited a significant reduction in estimated body fat percentage and preservation of thigh muscle mass compared with placebo. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: Bedinvetmab is a safe and effective therapeutic option for managing OA-related pain in obese dogs, leading to improved mobility and QoL. Importantly, it contributes to favorable body composition changes, particularly muscle preservation, despite minimal weight loss. These findings support its integration into multimodal OA management strategies, especially in high-risk populations where conventional therapies are limited.