Rimadyl For Dogs is a ‘Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medication (NSAID)’. This medicine is used in inflammatory conditions like Hip Dysplasia and Osteoarthritis.
The dosage of Rimadyl must be prescribed by a vet first before giving it to the dogs. Dogs can well–tolerate this medicine.
However, there are some side effects of Rimadyl like lethargy, gastrointestinal issues, seizures, increase in thirst, etc. So before giving your dogs Rimadyl, check this whole information about Rimadyl.
About Rimadyl for Dogs
Rimadyl is also known as Carprofen, and this is a prescribed medication for dogs. You will also hear Novox which is also a generic Rimadyl. Besides the names Rimadyl, Novox, and Carprofen, this drug has other famous names like Dolox, Austiofen, Kelaprofen, and Vetprofen.
Rimadyl is also called Propionic Acid Drug because of its chemical composition. This is in the same category as Ibuprofen and Naproxen. This means that Rimadyl will work in the same way Advil and ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory dog medicine. It must be clear that this medicine is used to reduce inflammation in dogs by blocking some particular inflammatory compounds that are being released in the dog’s body.
Well this is a lot of names for a single thing!!!
Rimadyl is a safe medication for dogs as compared to Ibuprofen. And unlike drugs like Advil which is deadly and toxic for dog consumption, Rimadyl on the other hand is a much safer option.
Use of Rimadyl for Dogs
When a dog is facing any type of inflammation in his body, then Rimadyl is used as an NSAID. This is the most common medicine prescribed in this condition. In addition to that, Rimadyl is also used to cure Osteoarthritis which is a common inflammatory condition in dogs. So, being an inflammatory issue, Rimadyl is also used in arthritis.
Rimadyl is also used to reduce the pain caused by operations and decrease the discomfort from Hip Dysplasia.
You can either use this medicine on a short-term basis for puppies and in long term for bigger ones. The dosage completely depends on a dog’s health condition. And before making the prescription, a vet is supposed to do a thorough analysis of the dog.
Simply we can say that you are not supposed to give this medicine on your own and without any proper diagnosis.
Rimadyl for Dogs in Arthritis condition
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common problems in older dogs and can lead to major discomfort in their adulthood. This condition can cause a lot of pain and inflammation in your dog. Basically, in this disease, the cartilage of a dog decreases gradually which results in a quiet and a lot of pain.
Now let give you an answer to some of the common questions one can have about Rimadyl?
How Rimadyl works in Arthritis?
Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory drug. So, with Rimadyl’s condition, you can reduce the inflammation caused by Osteoarthritis which results in the reduction of pain.
Rimadyl is not a permanent cure because as you know Arthritis is a degenerative disease that will stay with your dog for his lifetime. So, you can reduce the pain and discomfort with Rimadyl but it is going to come back sooner or later.
How much is the Dosage of Rimadyl for Arthritis in Dogs ?
Usual the medicine will be in the form of tablets. And the vet would prescribe the medicine depending upon the discomfort level in your dog. The medicine will probably be in between 25mg to 100mg.
How many times Rimadyl can be given to the dogs in Arthritis?
This completely depends on the vet’s prescription. In some situations, you can be asked to give 2 Tablets per day. Maybe one capsule or tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Rimadyl for dogs in Hip Dysplasia condition
Hip Dysplasia is also a common skeletal disease found in most dogs. There is a chance that it can be an inherited disease but only to a certain level. And a dog’s lifestyle will also contribute to the condition’s seriousness.
Basically, Hip Dysplasia is caused by the dis-formation of the hip’s socket joint and the ball. Both the balls and the socket joint crushes against each other, instead of working together in a smooth way. This situation causes discomfort and extreme pain to the dogs.
How can Rimadyl help in this condition?
Similar to Arthritis, Rimadyl will again work on decreasing the inflammation and pain caused by Hip Dysplasia around the area which is affected.
This medicine is also not a permanent cure for this disease. It can somehow decrease the pain and discomfort in the dog. And it will be helpful for the dog to live a quality life.
How much is the Dosage of Rimadyl for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs ?
The dosage of Rimadyl will be decided by the vet that is based on the seriousness of the dog’s condition and his weight. Usually, the prescribed effective dosage is 100mg and is given twice a day.
How much is the Dosage of Rimadyl for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs ?
It must be clear by now that it is not safe to give Rimadyl to your dogs without any prescription. So again I will say that you must go to the vet to find the required dosage of Rimadyl for your dog.
Preparation on giving Rimadyl to dogs
Rimadyl for dogs is available in both capsules and chewable tablets form. There is also an option for injections that only the veterinarian administers.
The tablets and capsules are available in 100mg, 75mg, and 25 mg. And the injection comes with a 50mg amount. Also, the type and amount of Rimadyl are decided by the level of the disease’s seriousness.
Usually, you will receive chew-able tablets because dogs can easily eat them and you can provide them with the Rimadyl’s daily required dose without any hassle. The simplest way to do this is by mixing the tablets in your dog’s food or give the tablet along with their favorite snack.
If you need to give your dog two Rimadyl doses in a day, then you can give one dose in their breakfast and one in the night before their bedtime. Because the metabolizing medication rate of dogs differ, so it would be appropriate to give them the medicine with a 12-hour time gap.
Are there any side effects of Rimadyl for dogs ?
Indeed there are some side effects of Rimadyl but there is nothing much to worry about. Well, every medicine has its own side effects, so you need to contact a veterinarian to know if the side effects of the medicine are worth the relief it is going to give to your dog or not.
For example, you can have a question that whether Rimadyl will make your pet sleepy or not. And the appropriate answer can only be given by the experts.
Studies have shown that the intake of Rimadyl for an extended time shows effective pain relief and mobility in dogs. Many dog owners have seen a reduction in pain and lameness, joint limitations, and difficulty in movement in their dogs with Rimadyl’s usage for about 4 months. This means that there is a 50 percent positive visible improvement in their dog’s condition.
However, some dogs experienced some unfavorable side effects of Rimadyl like gastrointestinal problems including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and poor appetite.
Some not so serious side effects the dogs were experiencing with Rimadyl’s consumption are soft stools, black stools, increased thirst, lethargy, itching skin, and seizures.
Allergies caused by Rimadyl
There is a possibility of allergies that can be caused by Rimadyl. So it is important to keep an eye on when you are first introducing this medicine to your dog. Some allergic reaction signs can be itchy and red skin, swollen face, hives, and restlessness.
Rarely any serious allergic reactions are seen and that can result in Anaphylaxis in your dog. And after taking Rimadyl, if you see that your dog is facing troubles like a seizure, breathing difficulty, or collapse, then immediately seek medical help.
Rimadyl is safe or not ?
Most dogs can well tolerate NSAID medications. However, a long term use of Rimadyl can damage your dog’s liver and kidney. That is why NSAID therapies are not recommended for dogs who already have any kidney or liver problems.
For this, you can consult with a veterinarian to know about your dog’s health and about tests to tell about their liver and kidney condition and function.
Some completed studies say that NSAID pain killers can cause toxicity issues in dogs that can be pretty serious. Hence, before administrating Rimadyl on your dog it is important to know how you should use Rimadyl correctly. Otherwise, your dog can face liver or kidney failure.
How to use Rimadyl for Dogs safely ?
A Veterinarian considers a lot of factors like a dog’s age and weight, before prescribing a specific amount of dosage to them. So always follow the given instructions by the Vet.
If you feel that your dog is still feeling a lot of pain and discomfort and the dose is not enough, then again contact your Veterinarian. It is tough to see your loved ones in pain but medicine takes its time before it shows any result. So keep a little patience and your dog will be fine soon.
Rimadyl Toxicity
If your dog accidentally gulfs too much Rimadyl or you have mistakenly given him an overdose of NSAID, then immediately seek medical care. Because it can result in serious overdose problem or toxicity. A dose of more than 100mg at a time is dangerous for a canine’s consumption.
If you are unaware that your dog has taken an unavoidable amount of NSAID and your dog shows signs like seizures, vomiting, stupor, or seems confused or unresponsive, means that your dog is in danger.
Dogs are unstoppable and they will go around the house throughout the day multiple times, so it is better to keep such medicines far away from his reach.
How much Rimadyl is enough for a Dog ?
A dog can absorb 90% of the medicine when you give it to him. After administration, the medicine will be effective after 1 to 3 hours and on average, the medicine’s half-life is around 8 hours.
This means that the medicine will remain in the dog’s system for about eight hours before it passes through. So typically you will be prescribed to give him only 2 tablets in a period of 24 hours. Or maybe it can also change according to the Vet or your dog’s situation at that time.
What if the Rimadyl doesn’t work ?
Now, what to do if there is no improvement in your dog’s condition even after you gave him Rimadyl? The simplest answer to this is “Go to the Vet”.
The Vet might increase the Rimadyl dose and see if there is any improvement. But even if the high dose is not doing any good, then it would be better to look at other options.
There is a number of alternative medicines available in the market. Well, we know that Rimadyl is the safest among them, but if your dog is miserable then you cannot stick to just one thing. For this consult your Vet and he will surely give you other options.
Conclusion
Rimadyl is mainly used to treat canines suffering from Hip Dysplasia or Osteoarthritis problems. This is an NSAID medicine that reduces pain and inflammatory issues in the canines. Rimadyl will cause some serious issues if your dog has liver or kidney issues.
Before giving your dog such medicines, thoroughly research about it and ask questions to your Vet. And never give your pet this medicine without the Vet’s prescription. Because the experts will look at different aspects before giving any medicine which we might ignore.
Overdosage of Rimadyl is also very harmful, so if you see any sign that points towards that, kindly seek expert help as fast as you can.
Table of Contents
