Rimadyl (Carprofen) Side Effects: Know the Dangers of Dog Arthritis Medicines
Pet owners share a very special bond with their animals. We don?t want them to suffer, and we?ll go to great lengths to spare them discomfort. If your dog is dealing with issues such as Arthritis or other joint degenerating diseases, you need to be informed about the dangers that are associated with a commonly prescribed medication - Rimadyl.
What is Rimadyl?
Rimadyl (Rim-a-dill) is a prescription NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The generic form of Rimadyl is Carprofen. It can be dispensed in the form of caplets, chewable tablets, or injectable. Rimadyl was produced by Pfizer Animal Health to relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis and other pain and inflammation issues, including post-operative care.
The Side Effects
Before this medication can be prescribed to your pet, a series of blood tests will be advised to insure that the dog can tolerate Rimadyl, and that it will be ?safe? to use. If the dog is deemed a good candidate for NSAID treatment, and begins the med?s, the next step is to watch for side effects. The most common side effects, according to the client information sheet that accompanies the NSAIDS are?
- Decrease or increase in appetite
- Vomiting
- Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea or black, tarry, or bloody stools)
- Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, seizure, aggression, or lack of coordination)
- Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Change in drinking habits (frequency or amount consumed)
- Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
- Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching).
According to the Fall of 2000 issue of Animal Guardian ?Rimadyl?has been found to be deadly for some dogs, as witnessed by the FDA receiving more than 6,000 bad reaction reports about the drug manufactured by Pfizer?. The article goes on to say that when the FDA requested that Pfizer let their future clients know that ?death was a possible side effect. Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising, however they have included “death” as a possible side effect on the drug label?.
In 2005, USA Today reported that ?through November 2004, the FDA? had ?received almost 13,000 adverse-event reports about Rimadyl?. Another NSAID medication called Deramaxx, which is manufactured by Novartis, had ?2,813 adverse-event reports, including 630 dogs who died or were put down?, from 2002 until April of 2005, according to that same USA Today report. Clearly, these are not drugs to be taken lightly. Death is a very serious side effect, is it not?
A Safe Alternative
When you compare the reports of bad reactions, to the satisfied clients of prescription NSAIDS, you may think that the odds are in your dogs favor. You may be right. But what if you?re not? Caring pet owners want to ease the arthritis and joint pain their dogs are feeling. This should be accomplished without worrying about the possible side effects that your dog may experience. You shouldn?t have to worry about your canine friend passing away from when you?re trying to make him feel better.