A sensor for measurement of an analyte in a medium within a living animal, the sensor comprising: a sensor housing; a light source within the sensor housing configured to emit excitation light; an analyte indicator covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, wherein the analyte indicator comprises one or more indicator molecules that reversibly bind the analyte, are positioned to be irradiated by the excitation light, and are configured to emit light indicative of the amount of the analyte in the medium within the living animal; and a photodetector within the sensor housing, wherein the photodetector is sensitive to light emitted by the one or more indicator molecules and configured to generate a signal indicative of the amount of the analyte in the medium within the living animal; characterized in that the sensor further comprises: at least one drug eluting polymer matrix (828, 930) that covers at least a portion of the sensor housing and is applied to the sensor housing via dip coating or spray coating; and one or more therapeutic agents that reduce deterioration of the analyte indicator, are dispersed within the drug eluting polymer matrix, and include an anti-inflammatory drug; wherein one or more of the therapeutic agents is or are incorporated within the drug eluting polymer matrix via one or more covalent bonds that break through exposure to light emitted by the light source and release the one or more therapeutic agents. a sensor housing; a light source within the sensor housing configured to emit excitation light; an analyte indicator covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, wherein the analyte indicator comprises one or more indicator molecules that reversibly bind the analyte, are positioned to be irradiated by the excitation light, and are configured to emit light indicative of the amount of the analyte in the medium within the living animal; and a photodetector within the sensor housing, wherein the photodetector is sensitive to light emitted by the one or more indicator molecules and configured to generate a signal indicative of the amount of the analyte in the medium within the living animal; characterized in that the sensor further comprises: at least one drug eluting polymer matrix (828, 930) that covers at least a portion of the sensor housing and is applied to the sensor housing via dip coating or spray coating; and one or more therapeutic agents that reduce deterioration of the analyte indicator, are dispersed within the drug eluting polymer matrix, and include an anti-inflammatory drug; wherein one or more of the therapeutic agents is or are incorporated within the drug eluting polymer matrix via one or more covalent bonds that break through exposure to light emitted by the light source and release the one or more therapeutic agents. at least one drug eluting polymer matrix (828, 930) that covers at least a portion of the sensor housing and is applied to the sensor housing via dip coating or spray coating; and one or more therapeutic agents that reduce deterioration of the analyte indicator, are dispersed within the drug eluting polymer matrix, and include an anti-inflammatory drug; wherein one or more of the therapeutic agents is or are incorporated within the drug eluting polymer matrix via one or more covalent bonds that break through exposure to light emitted by the light source and release the one or more therapeutic agents.