General illness after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

95 reports to the FDA describe general illness in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

95Reports

73%Marked serious

9.5%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 20%

1–2 days

6 7.5%

3–7 days

18 23%

1–4 weeks

17 21%

Over a month

23 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 8.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.1%

Still unwell when reported

35 37%

Died

11 12%

Euthanised

27 28%

Not known

13 14%

Problems reported at the same time

41 43%

38 40%

30 32%

27 28%

19 20%

15 16%

14 15%

14 15%

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 general illness in dogs?: 95 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).

General illness with similar medicines

General illness after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 50 reports · 0.6% of its reports

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