Arthritis after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 195 reports of arthritis in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.4% 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.

195Reports

61%Marked serious

9.2%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

66 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 13%

1–2 days

6 6.0%

3–7 days

11 11%

1–4 weeks

10 10%

Over a month

60 60%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 5.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 4.1%

Still unwell when reported

88 45%

Died

19 9.7%

Euthanised

16 8.2%

Not known

54 28%

Problems reported at the same time

Lameness

50 26%

Abnormal radiograph finding

49 25%

Vomiting

46 24%

Bone and joint disorder

43 22%

Lethargy

41 21%

Didn't work as expected

40 21%

Liver problems

38 19%

Death

36 18%

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 arthritis in dogs?: 195 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 66 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).

Arthritis with similar medicines

Arthritis after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 72 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Arthritis after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 98 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Arthritis after Meloxicam (Metacam) 29 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Arthritis after Firocoxib (Previcox) 23 reports · 0.3% of its reports

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