Alkaline urine after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 69 reports of alkaline urine in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

69Reports
33%Marked serious
5.8%Recovered
20%Died or euthanised
15 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
4 16%
1–2 days
3 12%
3–7 days
1 4.0%
1–4 weeks
8 32%
Over a month
9 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 4.3%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.4%
Still unwell when reported
16 23%
Died
11 16%
Euthanised
3 4.3%
Not known
35 51%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
14
8–11 years
35
12+ years
12

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 alkaline urine in dogs?
69 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 15 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).

Alkaline urine with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with alkaline urine