At Carprofen for the dog It is a pain reliever with an anti-inflammatory effect.
It is mainly used in dogs that suffer from joint problems and the associated stiffness or lameness.
The following lines will tell you how carprofen is used correctly on your dog, which side effects can occur and whether there are alternatives.
Carprofen for dogs: what is it and what is it used for?
A dog suffers from joint, muscle and bone pain as well as pain in the soft tissuesveterinarians often prescribe carprofen.
These joint diseases can be caused by osteoarthritis, but also by osteoarthritis, elbow or hip dysplasia/ED or HD.
Large dog breeds in particular are affected by this disease, and usually at an older age.
Carprofen can also be administered to dogs as a painkiller before surgery.
Strictly speaking, carprofen is not available under this name in pharmacies and from veterinarians, but under other names such as Rimadyl.
Carprofen is also hidden behind the following names
- carprodyl
- vetprofen
- Carprieve
- norocarp
- quellin
- Rovera
- Tergive
- Rimifin
- Novox
Carprofen is ultimately the active ingredient that is supposed to help against the pain.
The medicines mentioned are available in different strengths, for example 50 mg, 100 mg and 120 mg.
Proper use and dosage of carprofen in dogs
In order to effectively relieve the pain in the dog, the initial dose of carprofen at 4 mg per kilogram of dog body weight.
For example, if your dog weighs 8.5 kilograms, it will receive 34 mg of carprofen per day.
Depending on the severity of the pain, the dose can also be higher according to the veterinarian’s instructions.
Let’s take a look at the correct dosage using the example of Carprodyl Quadri with the help of the following table:
Your dog’s body weight in kilogramsCarprodyl Quadri 50 mgCarprodyl Quadri 120 mgup to 3 kg¼ tablet–up to 6 kg½ tablet–up to 9 kg¾ tablet¼ tabletup to 12.5 kg1 tablet–up to 15 kg–½ tabletup to 22.5 kg–¾ tabletup to 30 kg–1 tablet
How long does it take for carprofen to work in dogs?
The analgesic effect of carprofen usually occurs after a short time. The duration of action is – depending on the pain intensity – up to 12 hours.
If the dog suffers from pain again afterwards, it may make sense to give more carprofen.
Since carprofen is used not only for acute but also for chronic pain, the duration of use depends on the disease of the dog.
If the pain is acute and disappears again after some time, the duration of use is around 5 days.
In the case of chronic pain, the duration of use should not be longer than 3 months. The same applies here: simply ask the veterinarian for alternative pain therapy.
Our important tip
Please never decide on your own to increase the dose or general administration, but ALWAYS consult your vet beforehand!
What side effects can carprofen cause in dogs?
The side effects of carprofen for dogs range from mild diarrhea to functional disorders of the kidneys.
This means that both relatively harmless side effects can occur here, as well as serious reactions that require the advice of a veterinarian.
Vomiting, soft stools, diarrhea and loss of appetite are some of the reactions to carprofen, which subside after a few days.
You can tell that carprofen has had a negative effect on kidney function by the fact that your dog drinks more and urinates more or less frequently.
Good to know
Carprofen and other non-steroidal painkillers should not be given to dogs suffering from liver disease!
Where is carprofen for dogs available?
All medicines in which carprofen is available are prescription medicines.
That means you won’t be able to get the painkillers without a prescription from your vet.
In many cases it is likely that the treating veterinarian also has the appropriate medication in his practice and will give it to you after the examination.
The costs incurred for a carprofen-containing drug vary depending on the manufacturer, strength and package size.
Here you can expect a price from around €11 for 20 tablets – of course the prices can sometimes be significantly higher.
What alternatives are there to carprofen?
If your dog has had bad experiences with carprofen or one of the drugs mentioned, is an alternative among others meloxicam.
This is an antirheumatic drug that – like carprofen – is anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Medicines that contain this active substance are Petcam, Metacam and Inflacam.
You can also use Onsior as a pain reliever, which contains the active ingredient robenacoxib.
You can also find more painkillers that can help your dog in our guide Which painkillers for dogs? An expert explains!
What experiences have you had with carprofen for your dog? We’d love for you to share these and other helpful tips with us in the comments!