Is your Pet taking Rimadyl to relieve Arthritis Pain? Has Rimadyl been prescribed for your Cat’s Arthritis? If your dog or cat is taking this product or, Carprofen, Vetprofen or Novox, pet owners should be aware of the risks associated with giving this drug. Rimadyl, which is also marketed under the names: Carprofen, Vetprofen and Novox, is a drug prescribed by veterinarians to help relieve pet arthritis and joint pain in dogs and cats. Rimadyl is member of a group of drugs, classified as a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, which veterinarian’s refer to as NSAID’s. Rimadyl in dogs and cats has caused many serious, adverse side effects, one of which is sudden death. Other adverse reactions of Rimadyl may include liver and kidney damage as well as paralysis.
The Rimadyl Class Action Law Suit was settled in 1999, just 2 years after Rimadyl hit the pet market. As a result, today veterinarians are required to hand pet owners a disclosure form which states that “Rimadyl can cause death.”
Despite the FDA mandated labeling changes for this product which disclose the risk of pet death, it appears that few pet owners are aware of this fact. This year, once again there has been a steady increase in new adverse effects reported to the FDA for this drug.
The most common side effects of the product include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, lack of energy, stomach ulcers and internal bleeding. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal ulcers that may perforate, nerve damage, blood discrepancies, urinary bladder problems as well as kidney disease, liver failure, permanent paralysis and death.
- The product was responsible for almost 40% of ALL ADVERSE DRUG reactions reported to the FDA for pets. Out of the 40%, over 25%, or one-quarter of the pets died or had to be euthanized.
- The number of adverse drug reactions reported to the FDA due to Rimadyl is higher than for any other drug used in veterinary medicine for dogs and cats.
- Since Rimadyl has been available for pet arthritis pain relief in dogs and cats, there were over 8,000 adverse effects reported in dogs and cats. The worst side effect of Rimadyl is DEATH with no signs at all!
- Rimadyl® was given to over 2.5 million dogs during the first two years it was sold for pets. According to the FDA, this represents a “high level of use for a recently approved drug.” The largest number of adverse reactions were reported in dogs over six years old.
- According to the Wall Street Journal: “Since Rimadyl’s 1997 launch into the pet market, the FDA received reports of about 1,000 dogs that died or were put to sleep and 7,000 more that had bad reactions after taking the drug. The FDA says such events are significantly under reported.”
- If you suspect your dog may be having an adverse reaction to Rimadyl or to any other NSAID drug, reporting this to the FDA is advised. To notify the FDA about an adverse drug reactions in your pet, fill out the adverse drug reaction form on the FDA’s web site. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine accepts telephone calls. Their phone number is 1-888-FDA-VETS.
- Natural Rimadyl alternatives to relieve pet arthritis pain are a valid consideration for many pet owners. Although they require a few extra days to “kick-in”, they are very safe and have no adverse side effects. In this veterinarians experience, natural arthritis products can be extremely effective to safely relieve pet joint pain and arthritis discomfort in dogs and cats.