Can I stop giving my dog carprofen? Let’s Explore

DRUG INTERACTIONS TO BE AWARE OF

Carprofen should never be taken with steroids and can have potentially dangerous interactions with other NSAIDs, diuretics, insulin, digoxin, cyclosporine, and ACE-inhibitors. It is important to always tell your vet about any drugs or supplements your dog is taking or if theyve had a bad reaction to other drugs in the past, especially other NSAIDs.

The side effects of Carprofen are primarily gastrointestinal and mild but can be severe, even rarely leading to death. Its essential to be fully aware of them as catching the signs of a bad reaction early, stopping the drug use, and contacting your vet will significantly increase your dogs chances of recovery. When the FDA first approved Carprofen for use in dogs, the information sheet said, “No clinically significant adverse reactions were reported. Some clinical signs were observed during field studies which were similar for carprofen caplet and placebo-treated dogs.” It listed the percentage of abnormal observations as follows:

  • vomiting (4%)
  • diarrhea (4%)
  • changes in appetite (3%)
  • lethargy (1.4%)
  • behavioral changes (1%)
  • constipation (0.3%)
  • Even though one healthy young dog on a high dose of Carprofen had already died in a study, there was no mention of that possibility. After a few years and millions of dogs having used Carprofen, some changes were made to the drug information panel. They added side effects that had been reported to the FDA by owners and veterinarians; they are as follows:

  • Gastrointestinal: Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, inappetence, melena, hematemesis, gastrointestinal ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis.
  • Hepatic: Inappetence, vomiting, jaundice, acute hepatic toxicity, hepatic enzyme elevation, abnormal liver function test(s), hyperbilirubinemia, bilirubinuria, hypoalbuminemia. Approximately one-fourth of hepatic reports were in Labrador Retrievers.
  • Neurologic: Ataxia, paresis, paralysis, seizures, vestibular signs, disorientation.
  • Urinary: Hematuria, polyuria, polydipsia, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, azotemia, acute renal failure, tubular abnormalities including acute tubular necrosis, renal tubular acidosis, glucosuria.
  • Behavioral: Sedation, lethargy, hyperactivity, restlessness, aggressiveness.
  • Hematologic: Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, blood loss anemia, epistaxis.
  • Dermatologic: Pruritus, increased shedding, alopecia, pyotraumatic moist dermatitis (hot spots), necrotizing panniculitis/vasculitis, ventral ecchymosis. In rare situations, injection site reactions, including necrosis, abscess and seroma formation, and granulomas, have been reported with the injectable formulation.
  • Immunologic or hypersensitivity: Facial swelling, hives, erythema.
  • In rare situations, death has been associated with some of the adverse reactions listed above.
  • The most important thing to be aware of when giving Carprofen to your dog is how to spot the signs of an adverse reaction before it turns into something serious. According to the manufacturer, you should look for the following signs. If you encounter them, stop giving Carprofen to your dog and contact your veterinarian immediately.

  • Decrease or increase in appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black, tarry, or bloody stools)
  • Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure, or aggression)
  • Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
  • Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
  • A difference in the skin (redness, scabs, or scratching)
  • Carprofen is viewed positively by most whove tried it for their dogs. If they had the choice of doing nothing and watching their dog suffer or using Carprofen with a small risk of adverse effects, many say they would choose Carprofen again. However, science backed natural options like CBD oil for dogs, which doesnt have any known severe side effects, were not as widely available as they are today.

    Carprofen benefits many dogs that take it, helping them live out their later years in less pain. However, it has well-documented risks, which have been demonstrated to increase over time. If using Carprofen, ensure you know the early signs of a bad reaction. If you encounter one, stop use and contact your veterinarian immediately. References

    Im Chris; I started Relievet to help my dog Biscuit deal with her mobility issues naturally. Relievet is a family-owned business composed of a team of passionate pet parents that includes a Doctor of Pharmacy, a dog trainer, a writer, a psychologist, and more. We make natural products that help dogs maintain balance and deal with the issues they face, and we do our best to educate people on natural pet health. Beyond that, we are conducting research in hopes of improving the lives of many more animals.

    In a world of giant corporations, we favor the personal approach. Reach out to us any time, whether just to tell us your pets story or for your vet to consult with James, our in-house Pharmacist; we would love to hear from you.

    What if I miss giving my pet the medication?

    If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give it at the next scheduled time, and return to the regular dosing schedule. Never give your pet two doses at once or give extra doses.

    Does Carprofen interact with other medications?

    Carprofen should be used cautiously when administered with the following medications:

  • Aspirin and other NSAIDs
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Anticoagulants
  • Nephrotoxic medications like cyclosporine,
  • Dactinomycin
  • Dacarbazine
  • Desmopressin
  • Dinoprost
  • Digoxin
  • Insulin
  • Highly protein-bound medications
  • Methotrexate
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Loop diuretics
  • Oral antidiabetics
  • It should not be given with steroid medications unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian. Let your vet know about any medications, supplements, or vitamins your dog is taking.

    Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs | Wag!

    We love our pets! So of course, we want the best possible options for them when theyre in pain, whether its due to arthritis or other types of inflammation in the body. We want them to feel better, as quickly as possible, and with minimal side effects.

    There are options out there that your vet can provide when it comes to handling your dogs pain. One of the top options is carprofen, which can also be known as Novox or Rimadyl.

    There are also some other options on the market by the names of Vetprofen, Truprofen, and Rovera. Before giving your dog any of these carprofen varieties, its important to know about the medication as well as the side effects that can occur with it.

    Essentially, carprofen is used to treat pain in dogs and is known as an NSAID. That means that its an anti-inflammatory medication that is non-steroidal in nature. Its made to help with a variety of inflammation issues that can bring your dog discomfort and pain.

    Carprofen is one of many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that is used in veterinary medicine. It is similar to other NSAIDs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. Carprofen is commonly prescribed by veterinarians for the treatment of pain and inflammation in dogs. It is safe and effective for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other joint diseases. Carprofen works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormones that play a role in the inflammatory response. This reduces pain and inflammation while also helping to improve joint function. Generally, when you notice side effects that occur as part of using carprofen, it indicates issues with the kidneys. You may have to pay close attention to notice some of these. Dogs at greatest risk for kidney problems are those that are dehydrated. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may also block the enzymes that help keep maintain normal homeostasis function.

    Carprofen may be is used for a variety of things, at the discretion of your vet. However, a couple of the most common conditions that it is prescribed for are inflammation and pain.

    IT is most commonly used to control postoperative pain and pain associated with osteoarthritis that can otherwise leave dogs with chronic pain.

    Keep in mind that this medication isnt a cure for either situation. However, it can be used to ease the pain until your dog heals, or a solution for the osteoarthritis is found. You can think of it as similar to ibuprofen for humans, which may be able to help in small amounts, but doesnt resolve pain forever by itself.

    Like other NSAIDS on the market, carprofen is generally considered to involve cyclooxygenase activity. Essentially, they work by inhibiting the creation of prostaglandins that control the different responses in our bodies that can result in inflammation and pain. Consequently, it may be able to help keep that pain to a minimum.

    Furthermore, its important to know that not all NSAIDS handles all prostaglandins. Some are more selective, allowing renal and gastrointestinal systems to remain relatively normal while focusing on those that create inflammation.

    Because of that, its important to ask your vet exactly what the carprofen option being prescribed to your pet does.