Beransa Backlash: Sorting Science from Speculation Guest:
Babs Tasker, Emergency & Critical Care Vet Nurse, Veterinary Territory Manager
Host: Vicky the Vet Nurse
Length: ~1 hr 21 mins
🔍 Episode Summary: This episode dives head-first into one of the most contentious conversations in vet med right now: the backlash surrounding Beransa (Librela). With headlines, social media spirals, and speculation dominating the narrative, it’s time to pause, unpack the science, and get curious—not chaotic.
Our guest, Babs Tasker, is a powerhouse ECC vet nurse with over 30 years in the industry and now a Veterinary Territory Manager at Zoetis. She's here to share insights from the clinic floor and the regulatory world, addressing concerns around Beransa’s safety, the now-infamous Farrell study, updated labels, post-approval data, and the truth behind those adverse event reports.
This isn’t a sponsored episode. There’s no editorial input from Zoetis—just two vet professionals having an open, honest, and evidence-based conversation about how we can advocate for our patients through clarity, not fear.
đź’¬ What We Cover:
- What Beransa (Librela) is and how it works as a monoclonal antibody
- What the updated APVMA and FDA labels really mean
- How post-approval pharmacovigilance works (and why it matters)
- A breakdown of the Farrell et al. (2025) case series and its limitations
- The dangers of correlation vs. causation in the age of TikTok and fear-based posts
- How to navigate misinformation, emotional backlash, and clinical bias
- Real-world success stories from clinics using Beransa
- How to use client information sheets, monitor side effects, and report concerns
- How to hold space for concern without discarding innovation
🛠️ Resources & Links: COMING SOON!!! (One Spotify uploads episode! Stay tuned!)
- 18.1M Dose Pharmacovigilance Report (Zoetis)
- Zoetis Client Information Sheet
- Bedinvetmab vs Meloxicam clinicial study
- Beransa Canine OA Flow Chart
- Zoetis response to recent publications re RPOA
- Read the Farrell et al. (2025) Case Series in Frontiers in Vet Science
✉️ Got Questions?
We want to hear from you. Email us at vetnursehacker@gmail.com or DM @vickythevetnurse or @vetnursehacker with your questions or feedback. We’ll be adding follow-up resources in the show notes as needed!
💌 Final Word: If you’re a vet nurse, vet, or student feeling overwhelmed by the noise—this episode is for you. It’s okay to have questions. It’s okay to be uncertain. But let’s commit to staying informed, open, and always advocating for what matters most: our patients.
