Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with the potential to inhibit the enzymes cyclooxygenase I and II, with greater potential to inhibit the latter, thus limiting the risk of kidney damage, gastrointestinal and hepatic while effectively inhibiting mediators of pain, inflammation and fever. For this reason, it is useful for the treatment of inflammatory, infectious, joint problems and diseases and postoperative pain in cats.
What is Carprofen?
Carprofen is a drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activity. Like all NSAIDs, it is known to be an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX I and COX II, with a more selective action against the latter, which is the one that intervenes more in pain and inflammationthrough the release of mediators after oxidation of arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, substances related to:
- The pain
- The inflammation
- The development of tumors
- Functions in homeostasis
- The inner balance
Therefore, this drug inhibits COX I less, which is involved in maintaining the physiology ofthe gastrointestinal mucosa and in the renal blood flow For this reason, in cats, the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis at therapeutic doses of the drug slightly inhibits prostaglandins, not inhibiting them as much as other NSAIDs, as they are more selective against COX II and less selective against COX I, for which are safer at the renal and gastrointestinal levels, having the same efficacy in their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect
This drug is poorly distributed and is widely bound to plasma proteins, with maximum binding 3 hours after administration. The half-life of this drug in cats is between 9 and 49 hours after intravenous administration.
Carprofen in cats is used in situations where it is necessary to control inflammation and pain such as postoperative states, in addition to controlling joint pain or mild to moderate organic pain.
What is carprofen used for in cats?
Carprofen, due to its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties, is useful for:
- The treatment of postoperative pain: in cats in case of soft tissue surgeries and orthopedic surgeries.
- Symptomatic treatment of fever: in cats with infectious diseases that are causing it and for all diseases that occur with inflammation in this species. If you want to know more about Fever in cats: causes, symptoms and how to lower it, do not hesitate to consult this article that we recommend.
- Cats with osteoarthritis or arthrosis: a chronic, degenerative disease in which the tissues are worn away articular that form the feline joint, the bone, the capsule and the articular cartilage. The first clinical signs that can be observed in cats are refusal to climb heights, reduced movement and daily activity, meowing, discomfort on palpation, self-mutilation and behavioral changes.
In cats, the joints of the elbow, hip, lower back and tarsus are generally affected to a greater extent and it is more frequent appear in older cats. Furthermore, being overweight only worsens the disease by providing more weight for the cat's weak joints to support.
Check this other article on Osteoarthritis in cats, symptoms, treatments and home remedies for more information on the subject.
Dose of Carprofen in cats
In cats, the recommended dose of carprofen is 4 mg /kg, which can be administered orally or by injection, but all It depends on the medicine in question and its form of presentation.
- Oral route: for cats that require a longer or chronic anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment due to a permanent or recurrent pathology that needs a continuous medication by the caregiver, although other types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally prescribed in cats due to their better presentation for oral administration at home, such as meloxicam in oral suspension form.
- Injected route: subcutaneously or intravenously. It is generally administered parenterally or intravenously after a surgical operation or emergency in the veterinary center by the veterinary professional.
Carprofen side effects in cats
Like any drug, it can have side effects. In general, carprofen can have the same side effects as other NSAIDs such as:
- The anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue and apathy
- The lack of coordination
- Seizures and tremors
- Increased urination
- The reddening of the skin
- Occult blood in feces
These side effects usually appear within the first week of treatment and usually disappear after completion of treatment. Carprofen in cats has a lower risk of liver and kidney damage, but it can also occur, so it should be used with caution in older patients or patients with liver problems. level of these organs.
In case of overdose of carprofen in cats, there is a risk of developing gastric inflammation or gastritis and the formation of ulcers, go to your emergency veterinary center in case of overdose.
Carprofen contraindications in cats
A series of considerations must be taken before using carprofen in cats. In general, these are the contraindications for the use of said drug in the feline species:
- Do not use on kittens under 5 months of age.
- Do not administer to cats with kidney, liver, heart disease or gastrointestinal problems.
- Do not use in cats Intramuscularly.
- Do not administer after surgery or trauma: with heavy blood loss.
- Do not use in pregnant or lactating cats.
- Do not administer together with other NSAIDs or glucocorticoids: because it increases the risk of producing gastric ulcer.
- Do not use together with drugs with nephrotoxic potential: because they increase the risk of kidney damage.
- Do not use in g Dehydrated, hypotensive or hypovolemic patients: due to increased kidney damage.
It should be added that, if they are used in the treatment of a bacterial disease, they should be used together with antibiotics due to their potential to inhibit of phagocytosis.
