For the treatment of chronic pain and inflammation due to arthritis, carprofen for dogs is an excellent medicine. This medicine can also be used to help relieve your pet of pain associated with certain types of surgery as well. Carprofen is commonly prescribed in dogs of all ages, breeds and genders. Read on for a brief overview of this drug, including information on how it operates, what it is typically used for, and potential risks and side effects as well.
Carprofen Overview
Carprofen is one of a class of drugs called non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. These medicines are effective at reducing pain and inflammation caused by a variety of sources, though carprofen is most commonly used as a post surgery medicine and as a treatment for chronic arthritis. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, function to accomplish these goals by helping to stop the transmission and reception of certain chemicals in your pet's bloodstream. Called prostaglandins, these chemicals illicit the response of inflammation, swelling and pain in certain conditions.
Carprofen is specifically designed for use in animals. It is available under several different brand name label drugs, with the most common of these being Novox, Rimadyl and Zenecarp.
Using Carprofen for Your Pet
Carprofen is marketed in two different forms, both as an injectable drug and as a chewable tablet or capsule. The oral version of the medicine is used more commonly than the injectable version as a way of treating chronic arthritis pain. Your vet will recommend the best way to deal with your pet's plain and inflammation based on his condition.
The oral form of the drug is usually given once per day, with the size of the dosage being dependent upon the size of your pet's body and on the severity of his pain and condition. It's important to follow your pet's instructions for dosing this medicine carefully, as a failure to administer the medicine properly may put your dog at increased risk of developing side effects and other problems as a result of taking carprofen.
Side Effects and Risks of Carprofen
While carprofen is usually seen to be very safe for use in dogs, it does have the risk of some potential side effects. These include the following:
- Stomach upset
- Stomach ulcers
- Diarrhea
It's also important to realize that carprofen may cause a few much more serious problems as well. It has been associated with more severe liver damage, as well as seizures and urinary tract damage. For that reason, it's important to monitor your pet carefully when he is taking carprofen. If he displays any signs of side effects or other damage, you should report them to your vet immediately. This will allow you to adjust the dosage of the medicine as appropriate, or to give your pet a new mode of treatment for his pain as well.
Ask your vet for more information about using carprofen for your pet.