Unable to stand after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 309 reports of unable to stand in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

309Reports

73%Marked serious

9.1%Recovered

45%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

50 19%

1–2 days

52 20%

3–7 days

42 16%

1–4 weeks

46 18%

Over a month

70 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

26 8.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

103 33%

Died

42 14%

Euthanised

97 31%

Not known

39 13%

Problems reported at the same time

139 45%

116 38%

102 33%

87 28%

73 24%

68 22%

61 20%

51 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

104

12+ years

142

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 unable to stand in dogs?: 309 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).

Unable to stand with similar medicines

Unable to stand after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 30 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Unable to stand after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 123 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Unable to stand after Meloxicam (Metacam) 44 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Unable to stand after Firocoxib (Previcox) 65 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with unable to stand