If your senior poodle shows signs of joint stiffness and arthritis, your veterinarian may recommend administering the drug carprofen (trade name Rimadyl). Carprofen treats minor pain and inflammation in dogs, and many vets offer the drug for long-term arthritis management. Because carprofen has documented side effects in some dogs, you need to educate yourself as to its possible consequences for your pet.
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Gastrointestinal Side Effects
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Because carprofen is one of a number of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that can cause stomach upset, your dog may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a loss of appetite. Perforating ulcers may occur with long-term administration of carprofen to your arthritic poodle. Black, tarry stool and abdominal pain signal ulcers and possible stomach rupture; your dog needs immediate veterinary attention. Your veterinarian may recommend a series of blood tests and radiographs to determine the extent of your poodle's gastrointestinal problems and prescribe medication to ease the symptoms.
Blood Platelet Issues
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According to Dr. Wendy Brooks of the Pet Pharmacy, some dogs on carprofen present platelet deficiencies during blood tests. Since the platelets are the cells that function as the blood's clotting factor, your affected poodle may be slow or unable to clot his blood. When this occurs, any traumatic injury or surgical procedure may prove difficult to treat or heal. Special blood clotting tests will determine your poodle's platelet count, and your vet can recommend specific treatment.
Renal Side Effects
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Older poodles with chronic kidney problems can be thrown into acute kidney failure with the administration of carprofen because it decreases blood supply to the kidneys. Dehydrated dogs may also experience these issues. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and extremely dilute urine. The dilute urine (lighter in color) means that your dog's kidneys are not eliminating the amount of toxins necessary to keep him healthy. Blood tests and urinalysis on a regular basis provide your veterinarian with treatment options.
Liver Side Effects
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Brooks says liver problems related to carprofen usually occur within three weeks of starting your poodle on the medication. A particular type of liver disease called hepatopathy shows in one in 5,000 dogs on carprofen and with support, your dog can improve within five to 10 days of discontinuing the drug. Because the liver removes all NSAIDs from your poodle's body, Brooks says "it is possible to 'overwork' the liver and exacerbate pre-existing liver disease." Symptoms of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Liver enzymes in the blood may be elevated and your dog may become jaundiced, showing yellow pigmentation in her skin, gums and the whites of her eyes. Treatment typically includes medication to ease the side effects of carprofen and improve liver function.
Treatment of Side Effects
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Your veterinarian will typically recommend hospitalizing your poodle to begin immediate treatment of the side effects of carprofen. The injection of intravenous fluids helps rehydrate dogs that are vomiting or have diarrhea. If your dog has ingested a large amount of carprofen within the past four hours, your vet may recommend pumping his stomach to remove any undigested pills and then administering activated charcoal to prevent the absorption of anything left in the stomach. Because of the poodle's high, nervous energy, carprofen's side effects can spread quickly to other organs, and immediate veterinary care is necessary.
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