Quick Info:

 

• Drug name: Carprofen
• Common name: Rimadyl, Carprieve, Aventicarp, Novox, Vetprofen, Quellin
• Drug type: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
• Used for: Pain and inflammation
• Species: Dog + cat
• Formulation: Injectable, tablets

 

Name – Active Ingredient:

 

• Carprofen

 

Name – Common Trade Names:

 

• Rimadyl, Carprieve, Aventicarp, Novox, Vetprofen, Quellin – multiple other trade names

 

Species:

 

• Short- and long-term use in dogs
• Single treatment only in cats

 

Major Indication:

 

• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
  • Painkiller, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (reduces fever)
• Used after injury or surgery.
• Can be used long-term to treat chronically painful conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis).

 

Common Contraindications and Warnings:

 

• The drug should not be given to dehydrated animals, those with low blood pressure, or those with a clotting disorder.
• Care is needed in older patients with pre-existing kidney disease, intestinal disease, or liver disease.
• Safety has not been determined in puppies younger than 6 months or in pregnant or lactating dogs.
• Do not administer alongside any other NSAID or steroid (e.g., prednisone) and do not change NSAIDs until your pet has gone through a 7-day washout period of no Carprofen.

 

Potential Side Effects:

 

• The most common side effects are vomiting and/or diarrhea (less than 2%).
• Rare side effects include liver or kidney failure, bleeding, and intestinal ulceration.
• Animals that develop side effects often tolerate a different NSAID.
• There is little evidence to suggest one particular NSAID has a better safety profile than another.

 

Administration Instructions/Handling:

 

• Give with food.
• Stop if your dog develops vomiting or diarrhea, or if it becomes unwell during treatment.
• Tablets can be very palatable, so it is important to keep them well out of reach of your dog.
• If a dose is missed, give straight away if within a couple of hours of normal dosing time, otherwise restart when the next dose is due.

 

Storage:

 

• Store at room temperature and out of reach of dogs. The tablets can be very palatable, and whole bottles may be eaten if they are accessible.

 

Speed of Action + Monitoring:

 

• NSAIDs start working within a few hours. In chronic pain conditions, it can take several weeks for the full benefit to be seen.
• Pain levels should also be closely monitored to be certain no additional treatment is needed.
• With long-term use, intermittent blood testing is routinely recommended to monitor liver and kidney function.
• When given to treat pain, your pet’s pain levels should be monitored to ensure the treatment given is effective.

 

REMEMBER! READ THE LABEL!

 

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