Walking difficulty after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 378 reports of walking difficulty in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

378Reports

70%Marked serious

12%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

54 18%

1–2 days

57 19%

3–7 days

48 16%

1–4 weeks

56 19%

Over a month

87 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

41 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 1.1%

Still unwell when reported

140 37%

Died

42 11%

Euthanised

99 26%

Not known

52 14%

Problems reported at the same time

139 37%

137 36%

121 32%

101 27%

90 24%

66 17%

64 17%

56 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

126

12+ years

160

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 walking difficulty in dogs?: 378 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).

Walking difficulty with similar medicines

Walking difficulty after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 49 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Walking difficulty after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 139 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Walking difficulty after Meloxicam (Metacam) 57 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Walking difficulty after Firocoxib (Previcox) 51 reports · 0.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with walking difficulty