What is Carprofen for Dogs?
Dogs serve as our constant and faithful companions. Dog owners embrace them as members of the family. Some couples raise dogs instead of human children, and they provide love and support for the elderly and the lonely. As a society, we love our dogs and want what is best for them. All ages of dogs can suffer from joint disorders such as osteoarthritis, but it’s more common in elderly canines. Carprofen is sold under its many brand names. It is a drug that veterinarians commonly prescribe. If your vet has recommended this course of treatment for your dog and you’re not familiar with this medication, you may have questions about its safety and effectiveness for dogs. We’ve compiled a guide with everything you need to know about Carpofren for dogs.
What is Carpofren for dogs?
Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug in the NSAID category, prescribed for treating inflammation and pain in animals. The ingredients are non-steroidal, according to VCA Hospitals, and it is available by prescription or over-the-counter. Carprofen is the name of the drug sold under multiple brand names. These include Rimadyl, Zinecarp, Canidryl, Aventicarp, Rycara, Rimifin, Carpox, Tergive, Carpodryl, Carprive, Norocarp, Novox, quellin, Rovera, Vetprofen, and Levafen.
Is Carprofen safe for dogs?
Carprofen is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating dogs. It is also used off-label for other mammals for inflammation and pain. This drug is only FDA-approved for the treatment of dogs in the United States. Many vets prescribe this medication for off-label use, which means for a purpose for which it is not generally approved. Researchers and clinicians involved in studies believe that Carprofen is safe for treating osteoarthritis in dogs who are otherwise healthy, over six weeks of age, and not pregnant or lactating.
Are there risks associated with taking Carprofen?
Nearly all medications come with the risk of side effects. This drug may produce side effects in your pet, but it may not. Not all dogs experience uncomfortable side effects. Those dog owners who observe issues commonly report gastrointestinal upset, ranging from mild to extreme. It can include mild vomiting, lack of appetite that improves quickly, constipation, or diarrhea. Some pets feel tired when they first begin the medication. Less common but serious side effects were reported. These include damage to the gastrointestinal tract or liver and kidney damage. Vomiting or diarrhea is severe in some dogs. Some pets have experienced bloody vomit and stools, yellowing of the skin and eyes, persistent lack of appetite, and increased drinking and urination. In rare cases owners reported neurologic problems. Seizures, paralysis, incoordination, and disorientation have happened. There is always a chance of an allergic reaction, including hives, facial swelling, hair loss, itchiness, scabs, and other associated skin conditions.
Which dogs should not take Carprofen?
Dogs with Von Willebrand disease, other bleeding disorders, low platelet counts, or allergies to NSAIDs should not take this medication. Dogs under six weeks of age should not take this treatment. It is not for dogs that are pregnant or lactating, elderly, those that are dehydrated, or those with liver, heart, kidney, or gastrointestinal disease. Carprofen may also affect bone healing and pets that have had bone surgery should not take Carprofen.
Drug interactions with Carprofen
Carprofen may be prescribed with other medications. Monitoring and caution are required when co-prescribed with aspirin, ACE inhibitors, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, nephrotoxic medications, other NSAIDs. The same caution needs to be taken for highly protein-bound medications, and other drugs. A veterinarian is qualified to assess the risks and benefits of co-prescribing Carprofen with these medications. You’re responsible for informing your dog’s vet about any medications, supplements, or herbal therapies that your pet takes, as some of these may interact negatively with Carprofen.
How long does it take for Carprofen to stop working?
If you notice that your pet does not tolerate Carprofen, your vet may have you discontinue its use. The effects of Carprofen usually stop working in a few days, however, effects on dogs with kidney or liver disease may persist for longer.
Monitoring requirements with Carprofen
Before your dog starts a Carprofen regimen, his vet should order baseline bloodwork and urine tests to ensure that he is healthy enough to start the drug. If your dog is on Carprofen for long-term use, he should be tested every two to four weeks at the beginning of his treatment to check his liver and kidney values. Tests are recommended every three to six months. You should monitor your pet’s behavior and health at home to watch for signs of a reaction to this medication. If your pet shows any signs of adverse reactions to this drug, discontinue the treatment and contact his vet immediately.
What are the signs of osteoarthritis?
Petco explains that the signs your dog may have osteoarthritis include changes in his gait with or without limping, a stiffer stride, or changes in the way he walks. He may have difficulty jumping or getting up from a lying-down position. He may hesitate when he attempts to lie down because of the pain. Dogs may also avoid playing as normal because physical activity is becoming difficult and painful. Physical limitations and pain may also cause mood changes. A dog may become more irritable or less affectionate. It’s best to consult with an animal health care professional to diagnose this condition. A vet can determine the causes of your pet’s symptoms and discomfort best, versus guessing and moving ahead with treatment on your own. It’s wise to know what you’re dealing with to find the most appropriate treatment to help relieve your dog’s discomfort.
Dosages for Carprofen
Today’s Veterinary Practice confirms that the labeled dosage for this medicine for dogs is 4.4 mg PO q24h, cut in half and administered twice daily in equal dosages of 2.2 mg q12h.8. They advise short-term treatment duration listed on the packaging as a warning. The lowest effective dose for the shortest duration may help prevent adverse reactions. Some dogs respond well to lower dosages, while others require more to achieve the desired effects. Studies on safe dosages concluded that dogs can take this medication for 42 consecutive days with few significant adverse effects. Data also suggests that long-term use requires monitoring from an animal healthcare provider. Dosing amounts may vary at the discretion of the healthcare provider.
How dosages of Carprofen for dogs is determined
The most appropriate dosages for Carprofen for dogs are made per the size and weight of the dog. Veterinarians use a formula that is based on the medical history of the dog along with his weight. the dosage amounts come in 25 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg. larger dogs generally require a higher dosage to improve symptoms. Each dosage should be given with food and you should monitor your dog during treatment to ensure there are no side effects. Food helps to protect the digestive tract from upsets from the mediation. You should not administer this drug to your dog without food. Carprofen comes in a choice of chewable tablets, or capsule or pill form. This drug is also available in injectable liquid, but this form is only available to licensed vets for use after surgical procedures.
How effective is Carprofen for dogs?
Clinical trials to study the effectiveness of Carprofen for dogs showed that this medication helps to slow, and sometimes prevent lesions in the cartilage and other structural changes that lead to pain in the joints and bones of dogs. This drug has been around since 1996 with multiple studies conducted. This drug is clinically effective in relieving symptoms associated with canine osteoarthritis by inhibiting the release of compounds that cause inflammatory reactions.
What to do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Carprofen, the drug may be given as soon as you remember, unless it is near the time of the next dosage. This drug is usually given twice daily. If it is closer to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dosing schedule. You should never give your dog two doses of this medication.
Benefits of carprofen for dogs
Carprofen can help dogs suffering from joint and bone pain, by relieving the soreness and reducing or eliminating inflammation that leads to stiffness, soreness, and pain. It can also reduce the structural changes that lead to inflammation, going directly to the source of the pain and discomfort. It does so without the use of steroids or narcotics, which is more beneficial in terms of potential side effects. According to Pawlicy, Carprofen is also effective when used as a fever reducer. If your vet prescribes this drug for short-term use for your dog, and he doesn’t have osteoarthritis, this may be the reason. You have the right to know why any medication is being prescribed to your pet and to receive an explanation of its purpose and safety. Most health care providers will weigh the benefits of a medication against any potential risks that are known. Carprofen brings relief within one or two hours of ingestion. It works quickly to help reduce the inflammation that leads to your dog’s discomfort. You may notice that your dog is tired after the first few dosages, but this isn’t the case in all dogs. Like humans, dogs are all individuals and each may respond differently to various treatments. Carprofen helps to
Can you purchase Carprofen without a prescription?
Carprofen is available through various brick-and-mortar and online retailers without a prescription. You can buy Carprofen without a prescription. Purchasing this drug independently and without a prescription or guidance from a qualified health professional could put your dog at risk from health complications if there is an underlying medical condition, or if the dosage you apply is incorrect. If you do administer this drug independently of professional health provider guidance, you must exercise extreme caution to get the dosage for the weight of your dog correct and monitor him closely. It’s essential to ensure that your dog has regular blood and urine testing from a qualified vet for the long-term use of this medication.
Is Carprofen the right choice for my dog?
Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that has helped thousands of dogs to enjoy more freedom of movement and less pain. Most otherwise healthy dogs tolerate Carprofen well, but some dogs do suffer adverse reactions that can range from mild symptoms that go away during treatment, to more severe. Some dogs should not be given Carprofen. Puppies under six weeks of age, the very elderly dogs, pregnant and lactating dogs, those with previous histories of kidney and liver disease, and those taking certain medications. These are all considerations to make before choosing to give your dog Carprofen, or any other similar medication without the advice of a vet.
Final thoughts
Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, only for use in dogs. This drug is approved for treating the symptoms of arthritis osteoarthritis, and similar conditions of the joints. Some vets may administer this medication for other reasons, such as bone surgeries, or other procedures, to help reduce inflammation and pain. it is also prescribed to reduce fevers. Carprofen is available without prescription as an over-the-counter medication. It is given to dogs in dosages that are measured according to the weight of the animal. Using Carprofen for short-term relief of fewer than two weeks does not require blood or urine testing. Longer-term treatment durations necessitate medical and visual monitoring for possible side effects. If your dog has been diagnosed with any type of arthritis or joint condition, Carprofen may be a solution. This drug is effective in reducing inflammation, and pain. It can help to improve the quality of your dog’s life. Even though you can buy this drug from an online retailer, you should use extreme caution and observe the dosage recommendations along with your pet’s health history. Carprofen may be the best solution for your pet, but it’s best to consult with an animal health professional before administering any medications.
