Surgical site disorder after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

112 reports to the FDA describe surgical site disorder in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.2% 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.

112Reports
28%Marked serious
11%Recovered
29%Died or euthanised
5 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
4 8.5%
1–2 days
9 19%
3–7 days
19 40%
1–4 weeks
7 15%
Over a month
8 17%

How the animals did

Recovered
11 9.8%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.9%
Still unwell when reported
21 19%
Died
25 22%
Euthanised
7 6.3%
Not known
47 42%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
23
1–3 years
18
4–7 years
36
8–11 years
29
12+ years
4

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 surgical site disorder in dogs?
112 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 5 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).

Surgical site disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with surgical site disorder