Cardiac arrest after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

278 reports to the FDA describe cardiac arrest in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.6% 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.

278Reports
39%Marked serious
3.6%Recovered
91%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
40 37%
1–2 days
17 16%
3–7 days
20 19%
1–4 weeks
12 11%
Over a month
19 18%

How the animals did

Recovered
10 3.6%
Still unwell when reported
3 1.1%
Died
244 88%
Euthanised
10 3.6%
Not known
11 4.0%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
40
1–3 years
35
4–7 years
74
8–11 years
92
12+ years
34

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 cardiac arrest in dogs?
278 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).

Cardiac arrest with similar medicines

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