Diarrhea after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in cats

The FDA has received 56 reports of diarrhea in cats after Carprofen. That is 3.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

56Reports

14%Marked serious

1.8%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 40%

1–2 days

2 20%

3–7 days

2 20%

1–4 weeks

2 20%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 1.8%

Still unwell when reported

6 11%

Died

7 13%

Not known

42 75%

Problems reported at the same time

31 55%

23 41%

16 29%

14 25%

12 21%

12 21%

9 16%

8 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Carprofen relieves pain and inflammation from arthritis or after surgery.

Products with this ingredient include Rimadyl, Novox, Vetprofen. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

NSAIDs can affect the stomach, liver and kidneys. Vets usually recommend blood tests before and during long-term use.

Questions owners ask

Can Carprofen cause diarrhea in cats?: 56 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Diarrhea with similar medicines

Diarrhea after Meloxicam (Metacam) 254 reports · 7.0% of its reports
Diarrhea after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 185 reports · 5.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in cats · Medicines most reported with diarrhea