Urinary tract disorder after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 388 reports of urinary tract disorder in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

388Reports
3.9%Marked serious
0.5%Recovered
28%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
4 17%
1–2 days
4 17%
3–7 days
6 26%
1–4 weeks
2 8.7%
Over a month
7 30%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 0.5%
Still unwell when reported
12 3.1%
Died
98 25%
Euthanised
9 2.3%
Not known
267 69%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
10
1–3 years
34
4–7 years
110
8–11 years
137
12+ years
87

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 urinary tract disorder in dogs?
388 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 6 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).

Urinary tract disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with urinary tract disorder