Urinary tract infection after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 468 reports of urinary tract infection in dogs after Carprofen. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

468Reports

49%Marked serious

7.1%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

26 12%

1–2 days

16 7.2%

3–7 days

32 14%

1–4 weeks

57 26%

Over a month

91 41%

How the animals did

Recovered

31 6.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

163 35%

Died

55 12%

Euthanised

49 10%

Not known

168 36%

Problems reported at the same time

174 37%

171 37%

130 28%

127 27%

113 24%

107 23%

105 22%

88 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

167

12+ years

169

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 infection in dogs?: 468 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 18 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 infection with similar medicines

Urinary tract infection after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 123 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Urinary tract infection after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 179 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Urinary tract infection after Meloxicam (Metacam) 79 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Urinary tract infection after Firocoxib (Previcox) 58 reports · 0.7% of its reports

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