Blood problems after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

4,208 reports to the FDA describe blood problems in dogs given Carprofen. That is 8.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

4,208Reports

21%Marked serious

2.5%Recovered

42%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

101 10%

1–2 days

166 17%

3–7 days

206 21%

1–4 weeks

259 26%

Over a month

256 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

90 2.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

14 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

526 13%

Died

1,424 34%

Euthanised

325 7.7%

Not known

1,829 43%

Problems reported at the same time

2,007 48%

1,830 43%

1,743 41%

1,691 40%

1,373 33%

1,136 27%

1,074 26%

672 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

159

1–3 years

363

4–7 years

957

8–11 years

1,684

12+ years

989

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 blood problems in dogs?: 4,208 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 8 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 1,176 reports · 11% of its reports
Blood problems after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 368 reports · 4.2% of its reports
Blood problems after Meloxicam (Metacam) 518 reports · 6.4% of its reports
Blood problems after Firocoxib (Previcox) 583 reports · 7.3% of its reports

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