Small liver after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 60 reports of small liver in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

60Reports

57%Marked serious

22%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 11%

1–2 days

5 8.8%

3–7 days

9 16%

1–4 weeks

22 39%

Over a month

15 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 22%

Still unwell when reported

30 50%

Died

2 3.3%

Euthanised

11 18%

Not known

4 6.7%

Problems reported at the same time

Liver problems

55 92%

Loss of appetite

44 73%

Vomiting

41 68%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

36 60%

Abnormal radiograph finding

27 45%

Kidney problems

24 40%

Lethargy

21 35%

Dehydration

13 22%

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 small liver in dogs?: 60 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 15 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).

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with small liver