Rimadyl for Dogs: How to Cure Your Hurting Furry Friend

Your veterinarian just prescribed Rimadyl for your sweet, hurting lil’ pup. You’ve heard of the medication before, but know there are another million-like drugs that are just the same as Rimadyl for dogs; however, that may not be the case. From dosages to side effects to possible alternatives, there is a lot to know about Rimadyl, and that’s where we come in. P.S. We also will let you in on a little secret on how to save money with the Rimadyl Rewards program!

Do you just take prescription medicines without discussing the possible side effects with your doctor? Of course not! You do your own research, ask your GP the necessary questions, and even find out from others who have taken the same medication. And you should do the same for your dog. [product-fullwidth product-id=”15091″] If your vet has suggested Rimadyl for your pet, you need to know what it is, what the benefits are, as well as any side effects and whether there are any alternatives if your dog is allergic to the drug. Rimadyl is an FDA approved NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that can be given to your dog once or twice a day for the effective treatment of inflammation and pain management. Because NSAIDs have fewer side effects, they’re more suitable for long-term use. While it may be tempting to grab a few pills from your medicine cabinet to give your dog, it’s never a good idea. Human NSAIDs like naproxen, aspirin or ibuprofen are unsafe for dogs and giving these to your pet can have serious consequences. Rimadyl is available as a chewable tablet, a caplet or as an injection. Let your vet advise the best methodCheck with your vet as to the best possible method for your dog.will advise the best possible method for your dog.

Rimadyl is prescribed for two main reasons:

• For chronic pain management for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis
• To treat inflammation and pain after surgery

The drug works in three different ways

• Reduces pain
• Treats inflammation
• Reduces fever

Its efficacy in treating osteoarthritis makes it a popular long-term treatment, as well as for short-term use after surgery. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents/properties work to reduce inflammation of the joints that is associated with osteoarthritis, while the analgesic properties work to reduce pain. For short-term use, usually after surgery, the drug reduces inflammation and manages acute pain.

Rimadyl is a fast acting drug that is given once a day, either as a chewable tablet, a caplet or injection. In most cases, the drug reaches its highest concentration within three hours. If you’re wondering whether you can get Rimadyl caplets without a vet’s prescription, the answer is yes.  Thanks to online platforms you can get most things without a prescription, for yourself or your dog. But the more important question you need to ask is “should I give my dog Rimadyl without a prescription?” The answer is no! Without the recommendation from your veterinarian, you could be giving your dog the wrong dosage, he may have an allergic reaction to the drug, or suffer potentially fatal side effects. So we can safely say, it’s best not to use this like over-the-counter medications.

Rimadyl has had its fair share of controversy, but the fact remains it has saved dogs’ lives and benefitted millions more. should your vet prescribe the drug for your pet, he will warn you about the possible side effects, as well as the many benefits of it, including:

• Reducing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and osteoarthritis
• It’s efficacy
• Easy administration as a chewable tablet, a capsule or as an injection
• That it can be given as a single dose
• It is well tolerated

There are serious side effects associated with Rimadyl but osteoarthritis is serious too and it’s hard to see your beloved pet in any kind of pain and discomfort. As an informed pet owner you need to consider the pros and cons of this medication to decide what is best for your pet. Your vet will be able to answer your questions and concerns as well as discuss alternatives. If you feel you need a second opinion don’t be afraid to get it. After all, it’s your pet’s health at stake.

Yes, you can give Rimadyl to your dog, however, it must be prescribed by your vet after a thorough examination, and after discussing your pet’s age, medical condition and history.

Important things to discuss with your vet

Should your vet recommend Rimadyl for your dog, we suggest you discuss a few important things with your vet. It’s essential he or she knows if your dog:

• Has had a liver or kidney disease
• Has had a bleeding disorder
• Has had an allergic reaction to any NSAIDs including aspirin in the past
• Has or had high blood pressure
• Battles with fluid retention
• Has had congestive heart failure
• Is pregnant or lactating
• If you plan on breeding with your dog

Rimadyl Dosing Chart

Your vet will recommend the best possible way to administer Rimadyl, however, it acts quickly when given orally, as a liver-flavored tablet. In most cases, 1 mg per pound of weight is prescribed. The medication is also available as a capsule. The third way of administering Rimadyl is with an injection, which is done by a certified vet.

Rimadyl 25mg, Rimadyl 75mg and Rimadyl 100mg

The NSAID is available as a 25 mg, 57 mg or 100 mg flavored chewable tablet that is scored to divide the doses, or as a 25 mg, 75 mg or 100 mg caplet or capsule. The most common dosage is 2 mg per pound of weight, which can be given once a day, as a single dose or twice a day.

Rimadyl Chewable or Rimadyl Caplets?

Even though there are three ways of administering Rimadyl, only two will apply to home use, namely as liver-flavored Rimadyl chewable tablets or as a capsule. The one you choose for your dog is very much a personal preference. Some dogs don’t enjoy taking capsules, which means Rimadyl chewable tablets would be easier to administer. [product-fullwidth product-id=”15091″]

Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory medication to treat dogs with osteoarthritis, as well as pain and fever. It’s commonly used for pain management over a long period of time and is one of the few drugs that can also be given to puppies for pain, fever, and inflammation. Of all the NSAIDs, Rimadyl has had the most safety studies and remains one of the popularly prescribed medications. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, there have been cases of bleeding and digestive side effects as well as occasional kidney or liver complications. However, doing blood work before administering the medication as well as regular monitoring of blood can reduce the chances of this occurring. Unlike Rimadyl, Galliprant is a fairly new drug on the market that has proven to be effective in the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis. The drug is so precise in targeting an area to block the clinical signs, it isn’t classified under nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but is considered a new class of drug known as piprants. It is available in a once-a-day tablet form and can be given to puppies as young as nine months.  In studies where more than the recommended dose is given, there have been no major side effects, except for vomiting, which lasted for only a short period of time. A softer stool was also noted. Galliprant or grapiprant tablets are fast-acting and symptoms will continue to improve up to four weeks after the first dose. Galliprant is an excellent alternative for treating dogs that are allergic to or have adverse reactions to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including carprofen for dogs.

There isn’t really a difference between the two.  Rimadyl and Carprofen both have carprofen, the active ingredient. Carprofen (Carprofen caplets) is the generic name used while Rimadyl is a brand name of Carprofen. [product-fullwidth product-id=”15094″] To explain it in terms of the medicines we as humans use, Rimdayl would be Neurofen or Advil, for example, and carprofen would be the active ingredient ibuprofen in both medicines.

As far as NSAIDs go, Rimadyl is one of the safest; however, should your dog have adverse reactions to the drug there are other options your vet can prescribe. Vetprofen, for example, is a generic version that can be used to alleviate pain and inflammation, as is Novox. Both are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories prescribed by vets to treat and manage the pain associated with joint disease including arthritis and osteoarthritis. There is no difference in the medicines’ efficacy, but there is a noticeable difference in price, which is one of the reasons some pet owners choose to go with a generic.

Your vet would have done a thorough examination and assessment before prescribing Rimadyl, however not all pet owners will choose the medication as an option. There are alternatives available, which you can ask your vet about, or you can get a second opinion. Exercise and diet, as part of a weight management plan, will assist in keeping your dog active and healthy. There are pet foods available that can help with joint pain and inflammation, and a pet dietician can also guide you in terms of foods that can assist with the symptoms of arthritis including:

• Ginger
• Sweet potatoes
• Coconut oil
• blueberries

A holistic approach could include natural supplements as well as treatments like acupuncture, massage, and hydrotherapy which have been shown to work. These therapies reduce stiffness and pain by stimulating the muscles.

Rimadyl is an effective and commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of joint pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug does: however, there are possible side effects. As a responsible pet owner, it is important that you are aware of them and know what signs to look for.

What are common Rimadyl Side Effects?

If your dog can’t tolerate the medication, signs will show within the first hour of administering it. These include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Ulcers

Also, there have been cases where the kidney and liver are affected, but this is rare. Before a vet prescribes Rimadyl, he will recommend regular blood work to check your dog’s liver, especially if the medicine is to be taken for an extended period of time, and also if you have an older dog.

Because Rimadyl is a pleasant tasting liver flavored tablet, it’s essential that it is kept away from animals and children. Signs of an overdose of the medicine can include:

• Diahhrea
• Vomiting
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Abdominal pain

Symptoms of Overdose or Allergic Reactions

In order to keep your pet safe while on Rimadyl ask your vet to test kidney and liver enzymes prior to giving the medicine, and also ask your vet for the lowest dose possible. Monitor your dog constantly and look out for the following:

• A noticeable change in appetite
• Diarhhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of balance or weakness
• Paralysis
• Increased aggression
• A change in your dog’s urine – frequency, change in color or smell
• Your dog suddenly develops skin problems like redness, scabbing or itching
• You notice a yellowing of skin, gums or the whites of the eyes
• Tarry stools
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Seizures

Who Shouldn’t Take RIMADYL?

• Rimadyl is not suitable for cats unless prescribed by a vet
• The medication should not be taken by people. It is important to keep it away from children at all times
• As mentioned Rimadyl shouldn’t be given with other steroids or NSAIDs

The Rimadyl Rewards Program started in 2012 and in a very short space of time members have earned more than $7.1MM in rewards and over $6MM worth in check-ups, Rimadyl refills as well as other services. You too can save money with the Rewards Program by simply purchasing the Rimadyl at your local veterinarian’s rooms. By doing so you receive points that can be used as cash for your next treatment or purchase. By giving your dog the very best care he needs, you also get rewarded.

Osteoarthritis affects millions of dogs, but they don’t need to suffer from the pain and discomfort associated with the disease. Rimadyl has given pet owners peace of mind and improved the quality of life of thousands of dogs over the years. Your vet will be able to answer all your questions, so get in touch today.

Should I give my dog Rimadyl without a prescription?

If I buy the generic version of Rimadyl, will it not be as effective?

Can my dog take Rimadyl and other NSAIDs if he is in a lot of pain?