Carprofen for Cats - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Carprofen is a drug from the group of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As their name suggests, they have anti-inflammatory action, as well as antipyretic (fever reduction) and analgesic (pain relief) activity. Like all NSAIDs, it is known to be an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX I and COX II. It is most effective against the latter. This enzyme is the one most involved in pain and inflammation through the release of mediators after oxidation of arachidonic acid (prostaglandins). These substances are related to:

• Pain
• Inflammation
• Tumor development
• Functions in homeostasis
• Inner equilibrium

This drug inhibits COX I, which is involved in maintaining the physiology of the gastrointestinal mucosa and renal blood flow. For this reason, the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in cats 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, they are considered safer for renal and gastrointestinal function, having the same efficacy in their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

This drug is poorly distributed, i.e. it does not distributed widely through tissues. However, it does bind widely 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. These include use in postoperative care, as well as to control mild to moderate joint pain. Carprofen is sold under various brand names, with Rimadyl being one of the most common in the American market. While it was previously used on human patients, it is not exclusively used for verterinary purposes.

Due to its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties, carprofen in cats is useful for:

• Postoperative pain: most commonly for cats after soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries.
• Symptomatic treatment of fever: Rimadyl is used in cats with infectious diseases with concurrent fever and for all diseases that cause inflammation in this species. Learn more about symptoms and treatment of this condition with our article on fever in cats.
• Osteoarthritis: a chronic, degenerative disease in which the articular tissues that make up the feline's joints, bones, capsules and joint cartilage are worn down. The first clinical signs that can be observed in cats are refusal to climb heights, reduced movement, increased meowing, discomfort on palpation, self-mutilation and behavioral changes.

In cats with osteoarthritis, the elbow, hip, lumbar and tarsal joints are generally most affected. Since the problem is often due to degeneration, it appears more frequently in older cats. Being overweight also worsens the disease by putting more strain on the cat's already weakened joints.

In cats, the recommended dose of carprofen is 4 mg/kg of the cat's weight. Carprofen comes in oral and injectable preparations. can be administered orally or injected, but it all depends on the drug 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 continuous medication by the caregiver. Other types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally prescribed in cats due to their better presentation for its oral administration at home, such as meloxicam in the form of an oral suspension.
  
  
• 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.

If using Rimadyl or other carprofen brands, ensure you follow both the package instructions and the prescription given by your veterinarian. If these contradict each other, ensure you speak to your vet.

As with any drug, there are possible side effects. In general, carprofen can have the same side effects as other NSAIDs, such as:

• Anorexia
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst
• Fatigue and apathy
• Incoordination
• Seizures and tremors
• Increased urination
• Skin redness
• Blood in feces

These side effects usually appear in 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 occur. It should be used with care in older patients or patients with pre-existing conditions affecting these organs.

In case of overdose of carprofen for cats, there is a risk of developing gastric inflammation or gastritis in cats. It can also lead to formation of ulcers, so you will need to go to your emergency veterinary center in case of overdose.

A series of considerations must be taken before using carprofen for cats. In general, these are the contraindications for the use of said drug in the feline species:

• Do not use in kittens less than 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 which have heavy blood loss.
• Do not use in pregnant or lactating cats.
• Do not administer together with other NSAIDs or glucocorticoids due to increased risk of producing gastric ulcer.
• Do not use together with drugs with nephrotoxic potential due to increased risk of kidney damage.
• Do not use in dehydrated, hypotensive or hypovolemic cats due to increased risk of kidney damage.

It should be added that, if used in the treatment of bacterial disease, Rimadyl should be used in conjunction with antibiotics due to its potential to inhibit phagocytosis.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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