Unlike humans, our pets do not have the tendency to speak and tell us that they are suffering from pain.
Now the question is that how to judge whether your dog has arthritis or some other kind of problem? Does he or she even have a problem?
The only way out for this problem is to observe your dog’s behavior. If you notice any of the symptoms, immediately rush to the veterinarian.
Though Arthritis is an incurable disease, it can still be treated with proper treatment and thankfully, a drug named Rimadyl is available in the market. Rimadyl for dogs can be regularly followed as prescribed by the veterinarian and can help your dog in leading a healthy, normal life.
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What is Rimadyl?
Rimadyl, also known by the name of Carprofen, is a painkiller that was specifically developed for dogs for providing them relief from joint aches and other joint problems caused due to arthritis.
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine that veterinarians prescribe as a daily dose for your dog in case of Osteoarthritis to prevent inflammation and reduce pain.
From many past years, Rimadyl has associated with it many success stories of treating many millions of dogs suffering from arthritis and consequently, it is now regarded as the number 1 medication for osteoarthritis.
How to know whether your dog has Arthritis?
Keep an eye on the habits and behavior of your canine and observe if the following symptoms pop up
Limping
Does your pet prefer to walk by favoring one or more of his legs? This might be the cause of arthritis affecting his knee joint.
Reluctant Behavior
You might notice that your canine is showing reluctance in doing any of the activity may it be, moving here and there, climbing stairs, etc.
Spinal Problems
Arthritis might not only affect legs, but it may also affect spines leading to distortion.
Aggression
The pain due to arthritis may make your pet aggressive. He may no longer greet you on your arrival and can even bite you if you touch his affected part that increases his pain.
Licking
Observe if your dog repeatedly licks a particular part of his body.
Rimadyl Dosage for Dogs
Rimadyl is an effective drug for treating arthritis. But any drug can be misused unintentionally. That’s why it is of paramount importance to follow the exact dosage prescribed by your vet.
Rimadyl for dogs comes in both tablet form and injections. Its dosage given to a particular dog is directly proportional to the age and weight of the dog.
Generally, 2 grams per pound of your dog’s weight per day is the followed notation. Its excessive dosage should be strictly avoided, and you are better off following the vet’s advice here.
Side Effects of Rimadyl for Dogs
Every good thing comes with an expiry date. Likewise, everything that is slated to help also has its share of shortcomings. Rimadyl, although the most preferred medication arthritis and other joint problems, can bring in some serious side effects.
It is not that common for Rimadyl to hurt you pet, but there are exceptions. And when they do happen, the results are severe (even death in some cases). So take extreme care while administering Rimadyl and be aware of certain points.
- If your vet has prescribed this drug for your pet, then inform him/her whether you are already giving some kind of medications to your dog.
- Dogs should never be given the human arthritis treatments such as aspirin as it could be toxic for your pet and can have an adverse impact on his health.
- Observe your dog’s behavior on the intake of the Rimadyl medication and look for any kind of weird activities.
- The unsuitability of the drug may result in Loss of appetite, Increasing thirst, vomiting, etc.
- You may also observe some less serious side effects like a headache, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.
- This drug may even make your pet lethargic.
Overdose Problems
Rimadyl has a good taste, and your dog will love it. Even when you are sticking to the prescribed dosage, sometimes your dog will ask for more. There is always this risk of your dog taking in some more when you are looking the other side.
Overdose is a bad thing. That’s true for any drug. In this case, your dog will suffer from Rimadyl toxicity and face a number of issues. Death is also a possibility, so never play with your dog’s life. When you are sure of an overdose, take immediate action and contact your vet.
Some Possible Effects of Overdosage can be
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Kidney failures
- Liver damage
- Ulcers
- Dehydration that can lead to Renal Toxicity
These are some issues that can arise as a result of Rimadyl overdose in your dog. This will only happen in the case of an overdose. In all other ways, Rimadyl is still an excellent solution for dogs suffering from arthritis.
You can read numerous reviews from pet owners who are satisfied with the use of Rimadyl. You can even feel their happiness through their words as their pet got a new lease of life with the help of this wonder drug.
So if you think Rimadyl is not good for your dog, then you might be wrong. Trust your vet and follow the dosage properly for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions that are asked by curious pet owners. Some of the content might be repeated below for clarity.
1. What is Rimadyl?
Rimadyl is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to treat problems like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and others. The main idea of using this medication is to reduce the pain-causing hormones in the body.
2. Is Rimadyl approved by the FDA for dogs?
Yes, Rimadyl is approved for usage in dogs by the FDA. There is nothing sneaky about using this drug as this is available only with a prescription from your vet.
3. What are some safety tips for giving my dog Rimadyl?
Discuss with your vet about the present medication you dog is taking. Some might react with Rimadyl and produce adverse reactions. It is also important to tell if your pet girl is pregnant or lactating.
4. What are the side effects of Rimadyl in dogs?
Some common side effects are a headache, dizziness, depression, nausea, and even diarrhea.
There are some serious side effects like bloody stool, muscle cramps, open sores in the mouth, and abdominal cramping. If you observe these, stop the medication and call your vet for help.
5. What happens in the case of an Overdose?
An overdose of any drug is a problem. Immediately rush to your vet and get professional help before things get any worse. You might see some symptoms like liver damage, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
6. I missed a dose. What do I do?
Don’t panic. If you realized it just an hour late, give the dosage. If it is time for the next dosage by the time you realize, skip the dosage and continue with the regular dosage. Do not give two doses at the same time.
7. What sort of results can I expect?
Rimadyl doesn’t cure any disease. This is used only as a pain killer in most of the cases. You can expect the pain to go away just after a few hours after consumption. The pain may come back once the intake is stopped.
That wraps up this F.A.Q. section. Let us know if you have more questions.
Rimadyl is great for dogs that are suffering in pain from arthritis and hip dysplasia. But that doesn’t mean you should give your dog Rimadyl without consulting your vet. It will only complicate things for the worst. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and it is very true here.
Only give the dosage as instructed, neither a milligram above nor a milligram below. Moreover, if you notice any of the abrupt reactions to the medication, discontinue the treatment and seek the help of your vet.
Your pet is your responsibility, and you have to very careful while dealing with them because they are not going to speak or yell to inform you that they are in pain.
Hope you found the information useful. If you have any questions, please reach to us using the comments section at the bottom.
Featured photo credit: KelkoNiki/depositphotos (edited)