Rimadyl is Pfizer Animal Health's trademarked name for carprofen, a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs. In Australia, carprofen is marketed as Norocarp and Norophen. In some Latin American, Asian and African countries, it is marketed as Carprodyl. Veterinarians can prescribe it to relieve pain, inflammation and fever. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for both short- and long-term use in animals. No form of carprofen is approved for human use. Rimadyl can have serious side effects. Give Rimadyl to your dog only if a veterinarian prescribes it.
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Conditions Commonly Treated with Rimadyl
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According to the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, Rimadyl is accepted by the FDA to relieve dogs' pain due to arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint problems, as well as for post-surgical pain and inflammation. It also reduces fever. It is considered potentially effective for pain and inflammation in horses.
When Not to Use Rimadyl (Contraindications)
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If your dog is more than 7 years old, have your vet give her a set of liver-function tests before you give her NSAIDs of any kind, including Rimadyl. Do not give Rimadyl to dogs that already have had problems with Rimadyl, have reduced liver or kidney function or are dehydrated or using diuretics (water pills), such as Lasix (furosemide). Do not give it to animals that also are using phenobarbitol, drugs that can damage the kidneys, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). If your dog is already being given other NSAIDs or corticosteriods, either do not give her Rimadyl, or if you do, watch her for side effects. The drug has not been proven safe for pregnant or nursing animals or for animals that will be bred.
The FDA says that it may be risky to give Rimadyl to animals with these conditions: bleeding disorders, cardiovascular disease, dehydration, gastrointestinal disease, hypoproteinemia and kidney disease
Getting a Prescription for Rimadyl
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According to federal law, Rimadyl can only be used by a veterinarian or on a veterinarian's orders. A vet may prescribe Rimadyl for one of two situations: to alleviate current pain and to prevent post-surgical pain.
If your dog currently has pain that you think could be helped by Rimadyl, take her to a licensed veterinarian and discuss your concerns. Tell the vet about your dog's symptoms, not just ones that indicate pain. Be sure to tell the vet about any other medications your dog takes or health problems she has. If the vet thinks she can be helped by Rimadyl and that her health would not make taking Rimadyl too risky, the vet may prescribe either chewable pills or tablets.
If your dog is going to have surgery and you think Rimadyl would be a good way to prevent post-surgical pain and inflammation, talk with your vet about injecting her with Rimadyl before the surgery so it will be working by the time the anesthetic wears off.
Giving Rimadyl to Your Dog
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If your vet prescribes Rimadyl, he should give you an instruction sheet that tells you how to use it. Follow these instructions. If your dog seems to be doing worse or shows behavioral or physical problems, call your vet. Your dog may be experiencing side effects that could be serious.
Rimadyl comes in three forms. The first is Rimadyl Chewables, liver-flavored chewable tablets. Most dogs like how they taste, so give them directly to your dog like a treat or put them in his food. The next form is Rimadyl Caplets. Hide these in food, and make sure your dog has actually eaten them. If he won't eat them, you can put them in your dog's mouth, hold his jaws shut and stroke his throat until he swallows. Check to make sure he has swallowed the pill. The last form is Rimadyl Injectable. Let your vet administer any injections unless she tells you otherwise.
Dosages
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Give your dog the dosage that your vet recommends. Pfizer's recommended dosage for dogs is 2 milligrams per pound of body weight daily. Rimadyl pills come in 25-milligram, 75-milligram and 100-milligram pills that are scored so you can easily cut them in half. Injectable Rimadyl comes in a solution of 50 milligrams per milliliter.
Side Effects
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According to the FDA, if you see any of these rare but serious side effects, stop giving Rimadyl to your dog and tell your vet what you are noticing:
Behavioral problems, including lethargy, hyperactivity, restlessness and aggressiveness
Blood problems, including anemia
Gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, intestinal bleeding and pancreatic problems
Liver problems, including jaundice and abnormal liver-function tests
Neurological problems, including disorientation, stumbling, clumsiness, paralysis and seizures
Skin problems, including hair loss, increased shedding and dermatitis
Immunological problems, including hives and facial swelling
Swelling at the injection site
Urinary problems, including incontinence, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney failure
Warnings
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According to the FDA, in the first year after Rimadyl was released, 3,626 adverse drug incidents were reported about it, which was "considerably more than that received for other animal drugs." Thirteen percent of the reports involved a dog's death, either by euthanasia or without it. While it is impossible to know for sure that any of these reports was actually caused by Rimadyl, the reports are similar to ones that describe the side effects of other NSAIDs. Several non-medical factors may have contributed to the high rate of side effects reported. For example, Rimadyl is now the most-used drug for dog arthritis in the United States, so a very large number of dogs are taking it. Pfizer also included an adverse-effects reporting line on Rimadyl's packaging, which may have encouraged more pet owners to call in.
Any medication has risks. Know Rimadyl's risks and the side effects to watch out for before you start treating your dog.
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