Death after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 8,622 reports of death in dogs after Carprofen. That is 18% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

8,622Reports

32%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

98%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

391 17%

1–2 days

388 17%

3–7 days

433 19%

1–4 weeks

511 22%

Over a month

596 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 0.0%

Still unwell when reported

9 0.1%

Died

6,829 79%

Euthanised

1,663 19%

Not known

118 1.4%

Problems reported at the same time

3,589 42%

3,338 39%

3,336 39%

2,860 33%

2,199 26%

1,743 20%

1,348 16%

1,110 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

289

1–3 years

562

4–7 years

1,708

8–11 years

3,334

12+ years

2,448

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 death in dogs?: 8,622 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 7 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).

Death with similar medicines

Death after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 2,268 reports · 21% of its reports
Death after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 964 reports · 11% of its reports
Death after Meloxicam (Metacam) 1,242 reports · 15% of its reports
Death after Firocoxib (Previcox) 1,491 reports · 19% of its reports

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