Gall bladder & bile duct disorder after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

185 reports to the FDA describe gall bladder & bile duct disorder in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

185Reports

42%Marked serious

9.7%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 9.3%

1–2 days

14 14%

3–7 days

18 19%

1–4 weeks

26 27%

Over a month

30 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

16 8.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.1%

Still unwell when reported

44 24%

Died

48 26%

Euthanised

28 15%

Not known

47 25%

Problems reported at the same time

Liver problems

166 90%

Loss of appetite

136 74%

Vomiting

135 73%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

112 61%

81 44%

76 41%

74 40%

50 27%

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 gall bladder & bile duct disorder in dogs?: 185 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 12 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).

Gall bladder & bile duct disorder with similar medicines

Gall bladder & bile duct disorder after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 38 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Gall bladder & bile duct disorder after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 24 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Gall bladder & bile duct disorder after Meloxicam (Metacam) 20 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Gall bladder & bile duct disorder after Firocoxib (Previcox) 33 reports · 0.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with gall bladder & bile duct disorder