Carprofen

What is this medication for?

• Musculoskeletal/OA pain, post-op/surgical pain
• Single-dose peri-operative analgesia only

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• Never dose cats at canine mg/kg rates — cat use is single-dose only.
• Hepatopathy is idiosyncratic and not clearly dose-related; stop drug and recheck liver enzymes if signs occur.
• No credible evidence requires an NSAID washout period beyond starting the next drug at the next scheduled dose (except when switching to/from aspirin — allow several days).

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• stomach/intestinal (vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea) (Most common, usually mild (<2%))

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Idiosyncratic acute liver damage (Rare (~0.05%), typically 2–3 weeks after starting)
• Renal toxicity (Rare; risk ↑ with dehydration/pre-existing renal disease)
• Accumulation toxicity at dog doses (Significant risk — cats poorly glucuronidate)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Bleeding disorders (e.g., von Willebrand's); prior serious NSAID reaction; do not dose cats at canine doses
• has or has had: Geriatric/chronic disease patients (renal, hepatic, IBD); avoid with other ulcerogenic drugs

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • ACE inhibitors (benazepril, enalapril)
  • Aspirin
  • Corticosteroids, other NSAIDs
  • Digoxin
  • Furosemide
  • Highly protein-bound drugs (phenytoin, warfarin, sulfonamides)
  • Phenobarbital/hepatic enzyme inducers

Storage and handling

Room temperature, tightly sealed, protect from light. Compounded oral suspension (1.25/2.5/5 mg/mL) stable 28 days refrigerated or at room temp.

Good to know

• Never dose cats at canine mg/kg rates — cat use is single-dose only.
• Hepatopathy is idiosyncratic and not clearly dose-related; stop drug and recheck liver enzymes if signs occur.
• No credible evidence requires an NSAID washout period beyond starting the next drug at the next scheduled dose (except when switching to/from aspirin — allow several days).