Rimadyl is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) medication and contains the drug carprofen. According to Pfizer Animal Health, the maker of Rimadyl, it is currently the most commonly prescribed canine NSAID in the world, with over 10 million dogs treated with Rimadyl.
How is Rimadyl Used?
Rimadyl is used for treating pain and inflammation in dogs. It is commonly used for treating the pain associated with chronic arthritis in dogs and is also used to prevent pain and inflammation associated with surgery.
Rimadyl is a prescription medication and must be obtained through your veterinarian or with a prescription written by your veterinarian.
Rimadyl is available in a caplet or flavored chewable formulation to be administered at home by dog owners as well as an injectable formulation used in veterinary hospitals and clinics. Rimadyl caplets and chewable tablets are available in three dosage ranges: Rimadyl 25 mg, Rimadyl 75 mg and Rimadyl 100 mg. Your veterinarian will help you determine the proper dosage for your dog once your dog's needs have been evaluated.
Rimadyl should not be given with other NSAID medications or corticosteroids. Rimadyl must be used with caution in dogs with liver or kidney disease, dehydration, bleeding deficits, or other health problems. Always advise your veterinarian of any health conditions your dog has suffered in the past as well as any medications your dog has received or will receive, including over-the-counter medications (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) and nutritional or herbal supplements. In addition, if your dog has had adverse reactions to medications in the past, let your veterinarian know about the reaction.
Your veterinarian may want to perform a routine blood screen on your dog before starting your dog on Rimadyl to help rule out any pre-existing health concerns.
Using Rimadyl as an Arthritis Medicine for Dogs
When used for your dog as an arthritis medication, Rimadyl should decrease the pain in your dog's joints, allowing your dog to become more active while still remaining comfortable. Response to Rimadyl can occur in a matter of days and, though response is variable, it often results in quite dramatic improvements.
Depending on your dog's individual situation, your veterinarian may advise you to control or reduce your dog's food intake and increase your dog's exercise, particularly if your dog is overweight. Managing obesity can be useful in treating arthritis and the concurrent use of Rimadyl tablets can help make exercising your dog more pleasant and less painful for your dog.
Rimadyl, when used as an arthritis medication for dogs, will not cure the arthritis. However, it will provide your dog with a much higher quality of life with less pain.
Side Effects Seen With Rimadyl
Side effects associated with Rimadyl are those seen with any other NSAID medication. Side effects are usually mild and self-limiting. In rare instances, more serious and potentially life threatening side effects can occur.
Side effects may include:
- decrease or increase in appetite
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- bloody stools or black stools
- decreased or increased activity levels
- seizures
- incoordination
- aggression
- yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes (gums) or whites of the eyes
- increased thirst
- increased urine volume
- redness, itchiness or scabbing of the skin
Notify your veterinarian immediately if any of these symptoms are noticed and stop giving the Rimadyl tablets until your veterinarian advises you to continue.
As with all medications, keep Rimadyl out of the reach of children. Give Rimadyl only as recommended by your veterinarian. Do not give Rimadyl to cats or people.
