Carprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug used in the veterinary field for pain management. It's commonly prescribed for dogs to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, and to manage pain after surgery. Carprofen is known by a wide range of brand names, including Rimadyl and Novox, but ingestion of more than the prescribed amount of the drug can result in serious consequences.

Carprofen poisoning most commonly occurs due to an accidental overdose. Some dogs enjoy the flavor of this medication and will help themselves to it if given the chance. The symptoms of toxicity vary depending on the amount consumed and can range from vomiting and abdominal pain to kidney damage, seizures, and even death.

With this in mind, if you suspect that your pet has overdosed on carprofen, seek immediate veterinary attention. It's also important to store carprofen out of reach of your pet and only administer the amount prescribed by a veterinarian.

The severity of the signs of carprofen poisoning vary depending on how much of the medication a dog ingests. The peak plasma concentration (the highest level of medication in the blood) is reached in 1-3 hours. Symptoms you may notice include:

In severe cases, additional signs will be seen. These may include:

The signs of kidney failure are as follows:

In addition, if the liver is damaged, jaundice might be present in the form of yellow-colored skin, mucus membranes, and whites of the eyes.

Carprofen poisoning in dogs can be acute after the ingestion of a large quantity over and above the prescribed amount.

However, in rare cases, some dogs may have an idiosyncratic reaction to the medication even if they've been given the correct dose. This typically affects the liver and is a serious issue resulting in hospitalization. Hepatotoxicity may not be seen for a couple of weeks after therapy is started.

Carprofen poisoning most commonly occurs when a pet parent inadvertently administers the incorrect amount, or when dogs help themselves to the medication. However, idiosyncratic hepatopathy can affect approximately 1 in 5,000 dogs, and is not dependent on the size of the dose a dog has received.

Other risk factors for severe carprofen poisoning can be:

If you suspect that your pet has overdosed on carprofen, seek emergency veterinary attention. Take the medication packaging with you, and be sure to inform the vet of any other medications your pet is currently taking.

The veterinarian will base their diagnostic decisions on the clinical signs exhibited by your dog (like nausea and abdominal pain) and will also rely on information you can provide. The veterinarian may ask several questions while examining your dog, such as:

The veterinary team will perform blood tests to check your dog's complete blood count, liver enzyme levels, and kidney health. Urinalysis will also be used to check how well the kidneys are functioning, while an ultrasound may be performed to assess the liver and kidneys.

Treating carprofen poisoning effectively typically requires hospitalization and the following steps.

Depending on the timing between ingestion and hospitalization, the veterinary team may choose to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal.

IV fluids will provide much supportive and corrective care. Nausea medication, antibiotics, gastroprotectants, vitamin K1 for the liver, and diazepam if there are seizures can all be administered during supportive therapy. Kidney and liver function, as well as urine outflow, will be assisted through intravenous fluids. Your furry family member will be monitored carefully and will remain in the hospital as needed until blood levels are normal and organ function has returned.

Studies show that cases of carprofen poisoning in dogs often have a good prognosis with timely medical intervention. If there has been severe kidney or liver damage, or if the ulceration and hemorrhaging in the gastrointestinal tract and stomach are extremely damaging, the chances of recovery become guarded. If your pet is able to return home after treatment, they may require special care and will need a follow-up appointment with the veterinarian to re-evaluate with blood tests.

Finally, it's important to take steps to prevent carprofen poisoning. As with all other types of medication, carprofen should be kept out of reach of children and pets. It's also essential that you read the dosage instructions carefully before administering any medication to your dog.

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