Rimadyl Side EffectsDiscount Rimadyl and COX-2Rimadyl side effects are important to know about. Carprofen is an NSAID which have potential dangerous side effects. Why and how often does it happen in my veterinary practice? Not that often, to be honest with you. In general Rimadyl side effects can be only mild or they can be more serious. What to look for... Mild reactions common know could be:
And more severe reactions seen:
If your dog recently started rimadyl medication and any of these symptoms are seen - STOP medication at once and phone your veterinarian
Why Rimadyl Side Effects?Cartrophen is an NSAID (non steroid anti-inflammatory drug). NSAID acts on the converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are very important in many reactions in the cell and it has several effects.
Arachidonic acid are changed to prostaglandins by a enzyme called cyclooxidase or COX. There are two types of COX. COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 can be found in most cells and is. You can see COX-1 as being mostly protective and normal physiological maintenance type of action. COX-1 responsible for the normal level of protective prostaglandins. COX-2 on the other hand is mostly found in inflamed tissue. It's not around if not needed. COX-2 is the one often associated making inflammation worse. This is the one to act against. Rimadyl binds specific to this enzyme and this inhibits many of the prostaglandins responsible for the typical inflammatory reactions are not made. Less or no pain and less inflammatory tissue reactions are the result using Rimadyl for dogs. But the problem is in many NSAID's that to some extent COX-1 is inhibited as well. Many of the protective reactions are not working properly. Rimadyl side effects are seen because of this COX-1 blocking effect. How to avoid side effectsCan you do something to avoid anything bad happening? Hopefully your veterinarian knows about how to and when not to use Rimadyl or another discount Rimadyl. If you have some tablets left from an earlier treatment and wondering if you can use them later, it's always a good idea to contact your veterinarian. In general don't use Cartrofen if your dog has (or you suspect) liver or kidney problems. Signs of this could be tiredness, increased water intake, vomiting or diarrhea. Same if your dog has any bleeding disorders or is on any medication. Some medications is known to affect the liver and no other potential liver "toxic" medicine should be used. Best example of this is phenobarb used in epilepsy. Using this almost always cause liver enzymes to raise and dog to have increased water intake. Although very rare some dogs is allergic to NSAID medications. Any history of this? Don't give Rimadyl. My personal experiences
I haven't had any dogs dying of side effects caused by Rimadyl. If you have had this terrible experience I am very sorry for your loss. I send you my love and support from my heart. Dogs have died from using Rimadyl and other NSAID medications. But, from my own experience Rimadyl has not caused any really serious problems Some dogs have had reactions. Vomiting and diarrhea are mostly seen. I have had some dogs getting very tiered and one dog getting slightly uncoordinated movements, probably due to Rimadyl. Added to this information, you need to know in Sweden we give Rimadyl two times a day and I have used Rimadyl in practice since 1998. Dog Arthritis Relevant Pages
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