I Accidentally Gave My Dog A Double Dose Of Rimadyl: What Should I Do?
If you’re worried about your dog overdosing, you may be wondering, how much Rimadyl is toxic to dogs? A Rimadyl overdose in dogs, even just with an accidental double dose, requires an immediate call to your vet. See below for some of the serious side effects that this drug can cause.
Although most dogs have mild side effects from Rimadyl, there are some rare but serious side effects to consider.
Mild side effects mainly involve such gastrointestinal issues as:
Serious side effects include liver and kidney damage or gastrointestinal damage from GI bleeding and ulcers. Here are the signs to watch out for if your dog is having an adverse reaction to Rimadyl. If you notice any of these signs, call your vet immediately.
Are Rimadyl And Gabapentin Safe Given Together?
Gabapentin (brand names: Neurontin & Gralise) is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat humans. Veterinarians frequently use an off-label version (not FDA-approved for veterinary use) of this anti-seizure and pain medication for dogs. Some veterinarians have found that Rimadyl and gabapentin together proves to be a highly effective pain relief therapy for dogs. Talk to your vet to see if your pup could benefit from this medication combo. Learn more about gabapentin for dogs.
Treatment for Rimadyl overdose in dogs
If your dog suffers a Rimadyl overdose, the veterinarian will likely induce vomiting if the dog hasnt started to regurgitate the excess medication on their own. In some cases, they may have their stomach pumped. They need activated charcoal to help absorb the toxin already in the stomach. Then, an antacid, such as famotidine, might be given.
To avoid dehydration and kidney damage, the dog will need to be fitted with a catheter and receive IV fluids. If the dog cannot stop vomiting, an anti-nausea medication can be given. Your dog will not have to be sedated or anesthetized to have an IV catheter placed. Also, while hospitalized, dogs may receive injectable famotidine which is not the antacid brand name Pepcid AC, although the over-the-counter oral form is known as Pepcid AC.
4157 Dogs Reported Dead From Rimadyl
PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet.
Veterinarians commonly prescribe Rimadyl® to treat osteoarthritis (OA) and other causes of inflammation in dogs. Rimadyl® is in a class of medications called NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications work to reduce your dog’s pain by reducing inflammation. Your veterinarian may also prescribe Rimadyl® after surgery to manage surgical pain.
The active ingredient in Rimadyl® is carprofen. Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that provides pain relief, decreases inflammation, and reduces fever.
NSAIDs block the production of natural chemicals that trigger inflammation. In dogs, carprofen targets the chemicals that cause inflammation with fewer negative effects on the beneficial chemicals. Because of this, carprofen decreases inflammation and pain in dogs with fewer side effects than some other types of NSAIDs.
Follow the directions provided by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will prescribe a dosage and treatment plan based on your dog’s weight and the cause of their pain.
Most dogs willingly take Rimadyl® chewable tablets like a treat. If not, you can hide the tablet in a small amount of tasty food. Although Rimadyl® can be given with or without food, giving it with food can help reduce the chance of stomach upset.
Give Rimadyl® for as long as your veterinarian recommends. Many dogs, especially those with OA, require long-term treatment. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog still appears in pain or is reluctant to play, climb stairs, or jump. Additional pain medications may be necessary.
If you forget to give a dose of Rimadyl®, give it when you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the normal dosing schedule. Do not give extra or double doses.
Although Rimadyl® is typically well-tolerated by dogs, serious side effects can occur. Contact your veterinarian if you see any of the following signs:
Serious reactions can occur without warning. However, most dogs recover if the medication is stopped, and any necessary emergency veterinary care is promptly provided.
While this medication can also be used in humans, it may be given differently and have different side effects. If you accidentally ingest this medication, call your physician or local poison control center.
Your veterinarian is likely to recommend routine testing while your pet is on this medication. Testing may vary depending on your pets individual needs, the length of time your pet will be on this medication, any other medications they may be on and/or the issue that initially caused your pet to be placed on this medication. Most common recommendations for monitoring on this medication is blood work, encompassing a complete blood cell count and chemistry panel.
Call your vet or pharmacist if you have additional questions or concerns about the use of Rimadyl®.
By design, dogs are meant to like the taste of Rimadyl® chewable tablets. As such, they can eat too many tablets and easily overdose if given access to the medication. Severe side effects can occur after a large overdose. Emergency treatment is often necessary. If you suspect an overdose, immediately contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center. Consultation fees often apply.
In the event of an overdose, you can also call the manufacturer of Rimadyl® at (888) 963-8471.
Store Rimadyl® tablets between 59°-86°F (15°-30°C). Check the drug insert for storage information for the generic versions.
Keep out of reach of children and pets. Remember that Rimadyl® chewable tablets are supposed to taste good to pets. Animals can overdose if the medication is not securely stored out of their reach.
Rimadyl® reaches peak blood levels within 1-3 hours of use. However, it may take a few days before your dog shows signs of improvement. Depending on the cause of your dog’s inflammation, the signs of pain may return if you stop treatment too soon. For example, osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive condition that often requires consistent, long-term treatment. Your veterinarian will instruct you as to how long and often you need to treat your dog based on their medical condition.
No. Rimadyl® is an NSAID that reduces pain by reducing inflammation. Tramadol belongs to a different class of medications called opioid agonists. Opioid agonists work differently compared to NSAIDS and reduce pain by inhibiting the action of certain neurotransmitters.
Carprofen and ibuprofen are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, carprofen (Rimadyl®) is used in dogs, and ibuprofen is used in people. Do not give ibuprofen to dogs. Ibuprofen acts differently in dogs than in people, causing an increased risk for side effects. It is also excreted differently in dogs. Because of these differences, even small doses of ibuprofen can cause serious, potentially life-threatening side effects in dogs. Your veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate pain medication for your pet.
Rimadyl® is usually well-tolerated by dogs. However, serious side effects can occur suddenly. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any side effects when giving Rimadyl®. Most dogs that experience severe reactions recover if the mediation is discontinued and any necessary emergency veterinary care is promptly provided. Talk to your veterinarian to determine if Rimadyl® is an appropriate choice for your dog.
No vet writer or qualified reviewer has received any compensation from the manufacturer of the medication as part of creating this article. All content contained in this article is sourced from public sources or the manufacturer.
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