Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs

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:

• Vomiting (can be bloody)
• Diarrhea (can be bloody)
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Muscle twitching

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

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Gastric ulceration
• Gastrointestinal perforation
• Stupor
• Coma

The signs of kidney failure are as follows:

• Blood in the urine
• Increased urination and thirst
• Fatigue
• Vomiting

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.

Types

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:

• Dogs with coagulation disorders such as von Willebrand’s Disease
• Other medications that are prescribed concurrently like glucocorticoids and sulfonamides
• Dehydration
• Predisposition to liver and kidney disease
• Compromised liver and kidney function due to age or underlying disease

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:

• How long has your pet been on carprofen?
• What is the reason it was prescribed?
• How long ago did they ingest the carprofen?
• What have the symptoms been so far?
• Are they getting worse as time progresses or staying at the same intensity?
• How much is your dog drinking and urinating?

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.

Decontamination

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

Supportive care

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.

Carprofen toxicity can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of carprofen poisoning, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!