Didn't prevent heartworm after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

178 reports to the FDA describe didn't prevent heartworm in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 13% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

178Reports
24%Marked serious
5.1%Recovered
3.9%Died or euthanised
212 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
2 3.2%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
2 3.2%
1–4 weeks
4 6.5%
Over a month
54 87%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 2.8%
Recovered with lasting effects
4 2.2%
Still unwell when reported
35 20%
Died
2 1.1%
Euthanised
5 2.8%
Not known
127 71%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected
29 16%
Weight loss
14 7.9%
Drug dose omission
12 6.7%
Weight gain
11 6.2%
Arthritis
10 5.6%
Vomiting
8 4.5%
Liver problems
7 3.9%
Behaviour change
7 3.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
62
4–7 years
50
8–11 years
39
12+ years
19

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 didn't prevent heartworm in dogs?
178 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 212 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).

Didn't prevent heartworm with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with didn't prevent heartworm