Carprofen for dogs is a drug that always needs a veterinary prescription. It is an anti-inflammatory that is used primarily for the relief of pain and inflammation. It is quite common for the treatment of joint problems, but, like any medication, it can have side effects, hence the importance of always administering it following the recommendations of the veterinarian.
We talk about carprofen for dogs below, in this article on our site, and we show you its most common uses, as well as its possible side effects.
What is carprofen for dogs?
Carprofen is a very effective active ingredient in all types of dogs that belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, better known as NSAIDs. It achieves a powerful effect and has analgesic properties, that is, against pain, and antipyretic, to control fever. Specifically, it is a cyclooxygenase or COX inhibitor, with a more selective action on a particular cyclooxygenase, COX2, which is involved in relieving pain and inflammation. Thanks to its effectiveness, it is one of the most common drugs.
What is carprofen used for for dogs?
Carprofen is used in dogs to relieve pain and inflammationSpecifically, it is considered especially effective in cases of canine osteoarthritis, which is a disease that causes pain and is caused by wear or erosion of a joint. Of course, you have to know that carprofen is not going to cure the dog, it will only relieve pain and reduce inflammation, thus increasing its quality of life and improving its mobility.
However, the uses of carprofen in dogs do not end there. Carprofen can also be used for localized soft tissue pain or pain caused by orthopedic surgery. Thus, it is likely that the veterinarian will prescribe carprofen to administer at home for a few days after a sterilization and it is also common for him to use it himself in the clinic as part of the preoperative medication.
The recommended treatment time depends on the reason carprofen is prescribed. Thus, for osteoarthritis, this has to be for life, since it is a degeneration that has no cure. In other cases, nothing more than will need to be given to the dog for a few days.
Carprofen dosage for dogs
Carprofen is marketed by different brands and we can find it injectable or in chewable tablets, which is the form in which it is most commonly used. In addition, can be given with or without food, making it easy to administer to all types of dogs. The dose must always be prescribed by the veterinarian, since it depends on the weight of the dog and the specific pathology for which carprofen has to be prescribed.
If the professional prescribes tablets, these can be given in a single dose per day or divided into two, which will be administered every 12 hours The duration of treatment is also the exclusive competence of the veterinarian. When the medication is indicated for surgery there is a couple of hours before the intervention and it is common for the veterinarian to be administered in the consultation and in injection.
Contraindications of carprofen for dogs
A dog that at some point in her life has shown aallergic reaction to carprofen , logically, cannot return to Take it. It should also be avoided if the reaction has occurred after the consumption of another NSAID. Carprofen is also not given if the dog is already taking another NSAID or steroid. Therefore, it is important that we inform the veterinarian of any medication that is given or has been given to the dog. You have to inform the veterinarian, also, of any liver, renal, digestive or hemorrhagic problem that the animal suffers.
Carprofen side effects for dogs
In general, carprofen is a safe drug, which is usually well tolerated by dogs. Furthermore, as they act specifically on COX2, they do not interfere with the functioning of COX1, which has a relevant role in the maintenance of the gastrointestinal mucosa and in the blood flow of the kidney. This distinguishes it from other NSAIDs that can trigger more or more serious side effects.
In any case, the administration of an NSAID must be done strictly following the veterinarian's recommendations and it is necessary to establish regular follow-up, especially in the case of longer-lasting treatments. In these specimens, it is advisable to do regular blood tests to check that there is no damage to organs such as the kidney.
The most frequent side effects that could appear when administering carprofen to dogs affect the gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic systems The symptoms that should put us on alert are changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tarry or bloody stools, incoordination, seizures, yellowish skin and mucous membranes, increased water intake and urine output or skin lesions. These signs are more than enough reason to inform the veterinarian of the condition of the dog.
