Kidney problems after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

5,760 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in dogs given Carprofen. That is 12% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

5,760Reports

21%Marked serious

2.8%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

195 13%

1–2 days

226 15%

3–7 days

289 20%

1–4 weeks

411 28%

Over a month

351 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

135 2.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

25 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

843 15%

Died

1,764 31%

Euthanised

438 7.6%

Not known

2,555 44%

Problems reported at the same time

3,479 60%

3,003 52%

2,964 51%

2,199 38%

2,078 36%

1,136 20%

1,100 19%

1,093 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

186

1–3 years

522

4–7 years

1,379

8–11 years

2,015

12+ years

1,538

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 5,760 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 2,212 reports · 20% of its reports
Kidney problems after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 842 reports · 9.6% of its reports
Kidney problems after Meloxicam (Metacam) 1,011 reports · 13% of its reports
Kidney problems after Firocoxib (Previcox) 1,407 reports · 18% of its reports

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