Rimadyl

Rimadyl questions and answers

Learn more about Rimadyl.

Q: Rimadyl....?
What will it do to a person?

A: Are you serious? OMG, its not enough that teens take their parents meds, now they want to take the dog's arthritis medication???!!!??? Outrageous

Q: What is a safe alternative to Rimadyl?
My great dane is having a lot of pain in one of her hips. She will barely put any weight on it, especially after getting up. She is on Next Level, her dosage right now gives her about 1500 mg Glucosamine, 430 mg MSM, 250 mg ascorbic acid, 10mg bromealain, 3.5 mg Chondroitin, 1 mg mussel. This helped for over a year, then it just suddenly stopped. She is still enjoying life far too much for me to even consider putting her to sleep for it. My vet just wants to put her on Rimadyl, but I would prefer not to. I dont want to put her on Rimadyl, because I know it destroys the kidneys, and its much more expensive, unless I cant find anything else to help her. Does anyone have and suggestions? To the person suggesting Deramaxx. Thanks for bringing it up. However on closer review of the product, it looks only a bit safer than Rimadyl. Go here and read about it... Pretty interesting. http://www.deramaxx.novartis.us/content/ProductLabel.pdf VS. Rimadyl http://www.rimadyl.com/PAHimages/compliance_pdfs/US_EN_RY_compliance.pdf Its kind of like those drugs for people with commercials on TV... sure I can get rid of my migraine but in turn for that I get to go puke, have stomach ulcers etc etc. LOL Sometimes I wonder if that drug is worth it.

A: Why is she having pain in her hip? Is it something than can be surgically repaired? Also there are alot of alternative therapies for dogs these days, depending on the reason of the pain, they may help her other than drugs or in conjunction with. I agree with accupuncture, also do a search for Canine therapy, canine physical therapy or canine rehabilitation in your area and see what you come up with. Water therapy may be something she would benefit from. I would also make sure you do your research before putting her on alot of OTC products, they can have side effects just like prescription drugs. Talk to your vet first.

Q: Was anyone aware of the the serious harmful side effects of rimadyl to dogs?
My 8 mo. puppy almost died from being prescribed Rimadyl. I know it only effects .02% of dogs in this ill fashion, but has anyone experienced this with their dog?

A: My grandmothers dog died at age 7 of kidney failure and was on rimadyl. I think that is what killed her, but of course no vet will admit to that.

Q: How does Novox compare with Rimadyl?
I have a 10 yr old lab with arthritis in her knees, has been taking Rimadyl, but I'm wondering about the generic equivalent, Novox.

A: Think I would stick with Rimadyl. Some sites have discontinued Novox.

Q: Does rimadyl affect the acidity of a dogs urine?
My shepherd is killing the grass where he wee's. I give him tomato puree or ketchup as suggested by some of your answers on similar subject but he is still killing the grass big time could rimadyl be the cause and is there any food or other product that may help.

A: Rimadyl doesn't do that as far as I know, although plain ol' dog urine can kill the grass as the urine is like dumping a really strong fertilizer in one spot. It just burns the grass. Check out this website for some ideas on how to help. http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/dog_lawn_problems.html If your dog is on rimadyl, then you probably don't want to be taking him off anytime soon! That stuff worked really well for our dog until the end of her days. It made her feel so much better!

Q: Is Rimadyl really that dangerous for my Boxer?
My Boxer has been spayed 3 days ago and was prescribed Rimadyl. She has taken it now for 3 days withouit any real side effects except sleepiness, but I read that it is dangerous. If it can kill dogs so easily, then why do vets prescribe it? how risky is Rimadyl? how many dogs per 1000 die from using it?

A: If it were "my" dog and it was showing no side effects and it has now been three days ago that she had her surgery I would start cutting down on the amount of dosage that was prescribe. I would cut the dosage in half. If it is one pill every 4-6 hours I would cut the pill in half and give her that much. Remember this is what "I" would do. If you decide to do this call your vet and ask if this is OK to do. Watch closely for any of the side effects that are listed for this medication. Rimaadyl has been around since around 1996-1997 and it effects some breeds differently then others. I believe that all drugs are risky and we need to watch our pets and our self's when prescribe something. Dogs like people react differently to medications and when they do prescribe meds it is.."One size fits all". If it was known to be killing a large number of dogs it would be taken off of the market. It sounds like your dog is doing just fine. Congratulations on getting your Boxer Spayed it won't be long now and she will be up and at it again. Best wishes..... DP

Q: When is the best time of day to give my dog his Rimadyl?
My dog is taking Rimadyl once a day, and I am not sure if I should give it to him BEFORE bed, so he will wake up with less pain, or would it be better to give it to him when he wakes up so it will be most effective during the day? To everyone concerned with the negative side effects of Rimadyl... I have researched the product, my dog, who is 16 years old, has been on it before( briefly) without problems. At his age, I am most concerned with his comfort. Thank you to all of you who have expressed your concerns.

A: If it is only once a day, then it really doesn't matter what time. I would do it at a time that you are most likely to be consistant becase if you wait longer than 24 hrs. it will wear off and the dog will feel pain, but if it is given every 24 hrs. on the dot, it doesn't matter what time of day it is. Edit: In response to the lamebrain that answered below me: as with any medication, Rimadyl is safe in a healthy dog that is not on any other meds that will interact with it. If the dog is unhealthy then it should get routine checkups to watch for side affects, but it is a widely used and safe drug for dogs. Edit: Freedom, I am sincerely sorry to hear that your dogs died, and I am also sorry for calling you a lamebrain, but your answer seemed a bit uneducated and just thrown out there, but it seems you have reason to feel that way. But keep in mind, I have done my research as well and I have run a dog rescue for almost 10 years and have had many vets prescribe Rimadyl for hundreds of our rescue dogs with not one single adverse side effect and amazing results. It seems very odd that two of your dogs died, did you ever check for contraindications, such as other supplements they were given, or enviromental issues? I am not necessarily advocating Rimadyl, but all drugs have side effects. There are dogs that have adverse reactions to immunizations, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get them done. Dogs given Rimadyl need to be monitored by a vet, and under responsible veterinary care, the lesions you are speaking of as well as heart issues would have been caught early and your dog would have been fine. I would blame the doctor, not the medication.

Q: How long for Rimadyl to take effect in my dog?
He has been on it a week, but I see no difference. He is 11 years old. Does it sometimes not work? His back legs go out on him sometimes when he is walking and he falls down. He has trouble going up stairs. Going down stairs, he drags his hind legs down the stairs.

A: Rimadyl® is a NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (Ibuprofen), Aleve (Naproxen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and Aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief. It is not a curative medication, in that it won't allow him to reestablish healthy joints. You will want to speak to your veterinarian about alternative perscriptions for joint health. At this point he shouldn't be on stairs at all - if he must use stairs please use a sling to assist him up and down. You can use a towel or if he's a small breed a leash, under the loin and hold both ends to aid him in walking. Just as a note there are I'm including some information on the drug itself: While Rimadyl®-related adverse effects are reported to occur shortly after drug initiation, long-term use may result in a higher risk for adverse effects. A substantial portion of dogs receive Rimadyl® continuously for more than 30 days. NSAIDs as a pharmaceutical class are commonly associated with adverse affects on a variety of body systems, particularly the gastrointestinal system. Adverse effects on the kidney and liver have also been documented. Older dogs in general may be more susceptible to carprofen-related adverse effects. Hopefully you'll see some improvement with continued care.

Q: Can a human take the dog medication Rimadyl?
Will there be any negitive effects if a human takes it? I'm asking because i have a paintball game coming up soon and my arm and leg muscles are unbeliveably sore and this Rimadyl is all i have in my house as far as pain meds go please someone help me out here

A: Its a felony to take it, so I would say its probably NOT safe, A little pain or a felony convition on your record... Hrmm...

Q: Anyone using Rimadyl for a large breed dog?
My vet has prescribed Rimadyl for our lab, who's now 11 and getting stiff in the hip and back legs. He gave us a couple of sample packs to try it for two weeks, which I thought was really nice, and our dog is playing like a puppy again. But the price to continue with it is a little prohibitive. I've been searching online for better prices, but they are literally all over the board. And how do I know which sources are to be trusted? Anyone with a little knowledge in this area, please advise. And thank you!

A: My vet gave me Deramaxx because I refused Rimadyl for my pyr after surgery. I'd read too many pyr / Rimadyl horror stories. My vet explained that, while some dogs do have problems with Rimadyl, in reality, most do not have problems. But he gave me the Deramaxx because of my belief, and I appreciated his respecting my wishes. You can ask your vet if the price of Deramaxx is more cost-effective. Your dog may be one of those who do fine on Rimadyl, but since the price is your problem, ask about Deramaxx as an alternative. Also, ask if there are less expensive generic forms oft hese medicines. Also, go to Yahoo's Conservative Management section and ask. They specialize in helping people with questions in ways that don't involve surgery, and they may know of some herbals or other remedies you can add to the regimen and reduce or avoid using any Nsaids. I give my girl who seems to be getting a bit stiff glucosamine 1500/chondroitin 1200 and Ester-C from Sam's club. That may well give you the results you want and be less expensive. If an online animal pharmacy tells you they need a prescription to sell you any product, just ask your vet for a prescription. You do not HAVE to buy meds from your vet, and these online pharmacies are cheaper than the vets sell things for. Good Luck -!

Q: If my dogs Rimadyl medicine bottle has been open for about two months, is it still okay to give he?
I need to know this ASAP! It is four in the morning, so I can't call my vet!

A: If you still have the packaging the meds came in with the leaflet which comes with it, read that. The 'use by' dates are printed on there as well as how long the product can be left 'open' and safe to use. I know most of the meds my dog has ever been given are safe to use on average 6 months after opening. However, you should speak to your vet first. I am guessing you are not qualified to self diagnose your dogs problems and you could possibly end up making the situation worse.

Q: what do you think of the drug rimadyl perscribed for dogs?
I need more information about this drug, I have just lost through illness a black pooldle who was on this, and the symptons matched.

A: So sorry about your dog. My terrier was fine on Rimadyl for short-term pain relief when she tore her ACL. But apparently more than a few dogs have had bad reactions. This site had some interesting info. http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

Q: Has anyone had any problems with a dog on Rimadyl?
Hi everyone, Seen a few articles online about dogs that have serious problems while taking Rimadyl, the anti-inflammatory drug. My dog was on it for 2 years (perhaps 3) and he never had any adverse effects from the drug, and I thought it was widely prescribed, so this surprised me. Have any of you experienced problems with a dog prescribed Rimadyl? Were the consequences serious?

A: I have used it for short term and long term. My Lab has been on it for over 6 years. He is now 11. My vet highly recommends a liver test twice a year for dogs who are on long term Rimadyl since it can affect the liver. My Lab started showing signs of liver failure 6 months ago. His hips are bad. My vet recommended cutting back of the drug to slow the liver failure. So I did. His ability to function without a full dosage became worse. Since I am a person who believe in quality of life vs quantity, I put him back on his regular dose. If it takes 6 months off his life so be it. At least he is not in as much pain.

Q: What is a good non-prescription substitute for Rimadyl?
My 18 year old dog has arthritis and the vet wants to do over $250 of tests before he will write s script.

A: There are no OTC replacements for Rimadyl. Specific COX-2 inhibitors are all still prescription. Rimadyl does have a generic, however. If your dog is 18 and the Rimadyl is intended to be a daily medication, your vet SHOULD do blood testing to check the dog's liver and kidney function prior to starting the medication. You will probably be asked to repeat this testing every 6 mos to a year. ( In a senior dog, most vets would want to run this every 6 mos to a year even if the dog was not on meds!) In an arthritic dog of this age, there is not much beyond the prescription meds that you can do. Fish oil would still work, as it is used for general minor anti-inflammatory effect. But glucosamine/MSM supplements are pretty much useless if started now, as they preserve more than repair. If his cartilage is gone, it's gone and it ain't comin' back. Glucosamine/MSM has the most benefit started early on, before the cartilage is severely degraded or missing. Adequan injections might be another option, but still a prescription option. What tests does the vet wish to run? ETA: If you do decide to try a glucosamine/MSM supplement anyway, I also recommend Glyco-Flex. At this point though, you might want to go up to Glyco-Flex III, rather than Glyco-Flex II. These supplements are not replacements for the NSAID, but used in conjunction with it. In dogs with a known joint abnormality or bone injury, they are started many times before there is a need for an NSAID. But at 18, you'll need the NSAID.

Q: My dog is on Rimadyl 4 awhile, he is now having side effects, is there a better choice?
He is a pitbull and his front leg is swollen and he can't go without meds 4 his arthritis. he is on glucosamine too. He has hot spots, runny eyes, general malaise, limping, weight loss. He is 6 years old.

A: Hi Sharon! Please for the sake of your dog's health, ask the vet to take him off the Rimadyl and put him on something safer but just as effective. Metacam is another one to be aware of! The reason I'm telling you this, is because I had a sweet little Chihuahua named Gigi, who was put on Rimadyl for 2 months, for her broken leg, by the vet she was seeing at the time. The vet did not bother telling me about the risks of Rimadyl and how it can cause Liver Disease in dogs. If she had, we would have never given it to Gigi. We would have definitely found something else, that was safer and did not have as many risks. You are supposed to be able to trust your vets advice. Well I did and this is what happened! Gigi died from Liver Disease 1 year ago on August 10. She showed absolutely no signs of being ill, the bloodwork she had done showed nothing, until it was too late to do anything about it and I lost her. Gigi had never been sick a day in her life before she broke her leg and was put on Rimadyl. She was a perfectly healthy and happy little Chihuahua. For the longest time, no vet I spoke to who was looking at her records, could figure out how she got the Liver Disease, until recently when two different vets, told me it was the Rimadyl, that caused the Liver Disease. I can't tell you how upset and how heartbroken I still am at how this could happen, because of the negligence of a vet, who contributed to taking Gigi's life. Gigi would have still been alive and happy today, if the vet had done her job. I don't want the same thing to happen to your baby. Please talk to your vet and tell your vet that you want to put your dog on something that is safer. Don't continue with the Rimadyl, or the same thing may happen to you. Some of the symptoms your dog is showing right now, are symptoms that I would be really worried about. R.I.P. My Sweet Baby Gigi, In The Arms Of The Angels! I Love You and I Miss You! You will be embedded deep in my heart forever! I will never forget you! http://www.flickr.com/photos/11921192@N02/3126529562/ ADD: When you take your dog to the vet, please have them do some bloodwork, to make sure that everything is ok!