Apnoea after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

134 reports to the FDA describe apnoea in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

134Reports

18%Marked serious

9.7%Recovered

80%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

14 47%

1–2 days

7 23%

3–7 days

2 6.7%

1–4 weeks

2 6.7%

Over a month

5 17%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 9.7%

Still unwell when reported

1 0.7%

Died

102 76%

Euthanised

5 3.7%

Not known

13 9.7%

Problems reported at the same time

107 80%

66 49%

42 31%

39 29%

38 28%

37 28%

36 27%

32 24%

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 apnoea in dogs?: 134 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 1 day 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).

Apnoea with similar medicines

Apnoea after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 39 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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