Head tilt - neurological disorder after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 118 reports of head tilt - neurological disorder in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.2% 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.

118Reports
86%Marked serious
8.5%Recovered
36%Died or euthanised
10 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 15%
1–2 days
14 16%
3–7 days
13 15%
1–4 weeks
16 18%
Over a month
33 37%

How the animals did

Recovered
10 8.5%
Still unwell when reported
53 45%
Died
10 8.5%
Euthanised
32 27%
Not known
13 11%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
6
4–7 years
23
8–11 years
30
12+ years
58

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 head tilt - neurological disorder in dogs?
118 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 10 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).

Head tilt - neurological disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with head tilt - neurological disorder