wag-logo
Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
Written By Wag! Staff
Published: 07/01/2016Updated: 09/24/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Carprofen Poisoning?
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.
Youtube Play
Carprofen Poisoning Average Cost
From 34 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

Symptoms of Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
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.
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.
Causes of Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
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
Diagnosis of Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
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.
Treatment of Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
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.

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

Recovery of Carprofen Poisoning in Dogs
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!
Carprofen Poisoning Average Cost
From 34 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500
Top
Carprofen Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
lab mix
8 months

37 found this helpful

37 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None Yet
Was prescribed 100 milligram pills for pain from hip displasia. If I gave him 1whole pill then another whole pill 12 hrs later will he be ok. He weighs bout 70lbs
Jan. 15, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
37 Recommendations
In this situation we would monitor closely for signs of toxicity or gastrointestinal upset such as altered thirst, vomiting or diarrhoea. Given the amount given and how long it was spaced apart and as it was a one off, we would hope to not see any adverse reactions. However, this depends on the dog and their underlying health. If they become unwell, have them seen by a vet right away.
Jan. 15, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Dogo Argentino
Three Months

82 found this helpful

82 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
My puppy ate my other Dogo’s pill it’s 100mg she’s around 14 pounds! I looked online and gave her 1 tsp of peroxide but no vomiting yet
Dec. 1, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
82 Recommendations
Hello, one tablet will be okay. She may have some GI issues in the next few days but should be just fine. She may throw it back up since you gave her the peroxide it may just take a little bit for her to vomit.
Dec. 1, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Great Dane
One Year

16 found this helpful

16 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
My dog got spayed 2 days ago and the vet gave us carprochews for pain and tonight she chewed up the bottle and I’m assuming ate them bc I don’t see any in sight. She a little over 135 pounds and ate about 1100 mg. What do I do and can this kill her? I had to put my 11 year old boy down today and I pray I don’t lose them both! She ate them about 3 hours ago. She is currently showing no signs of distress but she is lethargic. Help please!
Sept. 13, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
16 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It is definitely necessary to take her to a veterinarian, yes. That is a huge dose of carprofen for a dog, and can cause kidney failure and stomach ulcerations. She may need to stay on IV fluids and they may need to check her enzymes, but if you act quickly, she may be okay. I hope that she is all right.
Sept. 13, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labradoodle
One Year

14 found this helpful

14 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Acted Quickly So No Visible Symptoms
Puppy (about 48 lbs) got into older dog's bottle of carprofen and ate about 40 75mg tablets. Took him to emergency maybe two hours after ingestion (came home and found empty bottle) where they pumped his stomach and gave him activated charcoal. They kept him overnight and suggested he may need to stay longer to monitor. Also, 3 year old lab mix (about 60 lbs) ate some of the carprofen, but much less. When stomachs were pumped vet said about three times more came out of the puppy than the lab mix. How long is a reasonable stay to monitor each dog or can I do that from home?
Aug. 16, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
14 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, I'm sorry that happened to your dogs! To be safe, with the danger for kidney failure or GI ulceration, I would think 48 to 72 hours of monitoring at the hospital would be best. They are probably checking kidney enzymes and the dogs are probably on IV fluids. Those are things that you cannot do at home, and it would be best to stay in the hospital to make sure they are okay. I hope that all goes well for them.
Aug. 16, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit Bull
Eight Years

13 found this helpful

13 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
Accidentally gave him 2 pills in the same day 12 hours apart
Aug. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
13 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without knowing the strength of the pills, and your dogs weight, I can't say if this is a toxic dose or not It is probably okay if it is a medication that he gets daily, but it would be best to call your veterinarian and ask if it is a problem, since they know your dog and what medications he is on. I hope that all goes well for him.
Aug. 8, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Dodson /Min Pin
Bella
9 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizure, Anemia, Kidneys Shu
My Dodson mix was prescribed this medication 1 week ago for arthritis. She has progressively lost her appetite, EXTREME thirst, and last night she had a seizure. We rushed her back to the emergency vet that had prescribed her the Carprofen last week. Her kidney enzymes are extremely elevated, she is severely anemic, her pulse is high, her hemoglobin is very low. We were told she either has terminal cancer or is in the end stages or kidney failure. We were told her care and treatment was going to be thousands of dollars and that we should consider euthanizing her. As we were waiting in the parking lot for the vet to call us back with an estimate for treatment (we refuse to give up on her without exhausting every possible option) we started reading about this medication and the horrible side effects. The more I began to read the angrier I became. We decided to holt thousands of dollars worth of treatment until we get a second opinion. The vet completely dismissed our concerns regarding the medication and insisted we have the blood transfusions, ultrasounds etc...if we wanted any chance at all to save her. We respectfully declined and brought her home until tomorrow morning when we can get a second opinion. Within 2 hours of being home, flushing her system with lots of pedialyte, trying to get this toxic medication out of her system. She is doing MUCH MUCH better than she was several hours ago. I will expose the maker of this lethal drug and report it to anyone who will listen . I'm livid that we were literally advised to humanly euthanize our family member, and seeing that she is already feeling so much better.
terrier dachshund mix
Blossom
Three Years

1 found this helpful

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting And Diarrhea
My 16 pound dog was prescribed Rimidyl 2 days ago. So far she has had 3 doses. She has been having liquid diarrhea for past 24 hours off and on, and started vomiting about 6 hours ago (two occasions) It has been 8 hours since her last dose. She ate and drank normally yesterday for the full day, we'll see what morning brings. We weren't warned of the specific SE of this drug, so as I'm reading this website, I am flabbergasted that we weren't told to watch for these specific symptoms. We will call the vet when they open this morning. We have no after hours vet in our small town, the closest is an hour away.
Basset Hound
Cooper
3 Years

1 found this helpful

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
If anyone can give me some hope, I need it. My sweet 3-year old, 40-lb Basset mix ate about 5 pills of Rimadyl at 75mg. Within an hour and a half, he was at the vet and had vomited most of it up. I took him home, and during the check-up the next day his levels were worse, so he was admitted for nearly 48 hours. After about 24 hours home, his kidney levels STILL did not look great. They aren't sure if the numbers just aren't adding up or if he's really sick, and I couldn't afford to admit him again. Has anyone had a similar experience? Is my dog going to be okay? He is active and happy, but not peeing a lot and having some diarrhea and vomiting (which could be due to the food he had at the vet - he's got a sensitive tummy)
Boxer
Max
3 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
No
No Symptoms
No Symptoma
My 3 yr old Boxer Max (around 80 lbs) got into my other dog Sammy's Rimadyl. He ate 28 100mg tablets. He ate them around 20 mins before I caught it. I immediately gave him peroxide and he did vomit alot. Poison control said he needed GI protection and kidney protection immediately. He is at the vet right now ( We got him there within 1 1/2 hours of his ingesting and 40 mins after induced vomiting). They are giving him a big dose of charcoal and on an IV to flush out this kidneys. I am worried that I got it out of him in time and also that my vet does not have anyone there at night to monitor his condition. What are his chances of living through the night and being OK?
Labrador Retriever
Hunter
8 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog hunter must have eaten his last 3 doses of rimadyl while me and my girlfriend were at work. He was given these pills along with antibiotics and ointment for a hot spot on his back. He's a big dog. Weighs over 120lbs. The vet gave us 10 total tablets at 100 mg. Directions were to give 1 every 12 hours. We got all the medication this past Monday and if im guessing correctly he at the last 300 mg. Which would be a day and a half left of dosage. I have to wait till Monday to bring him to the vet. Is there anything i have to look for for any symptoms or any side effects? He is acting like his normal self and i can't tell if he has any symptoms. He's half lab half newfoundland so as stated before he is a BIG dog.
Carprofen Poisoning Average Cost
From 34 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?