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Rimadyl is one of the latest
drugs to come to the market for dogs with arthritis
otherwise known as degenerative joint disease (DJD)
which is often a sequela to hip
dysplasia.
This drug is in the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agents or NSAIDS, but the side effects of this drug
are much less than that of NSAIDS for human usage.
The drug is designed to relieve inflammation and pain
in the dog, and for the most part is tolerated quite
well. Some dogs experience stomach and intestinal
side effects of vomiting and decrease in appetite.
These symptoms are not common, and when occur, Rimadyl
should be discontinued.
Recently, Rimadyl had been reported to cause liver
concerns in some dogs who were taking the drug.
This report was based upon a small subset of dogs (approximately
20 individuals total) who experienced what was known
as an idiosyncratic reaction (which is an unexpected
adverse reaction to a drug other than that in which
it was intended). A reversible condition in the
liver was the result in these dogs on Rimadyl, which
occurred within a few weeks of taking the drug.
Once recognized as an adverse drug reaction, Rimadyl
was discontinued, and the symptoms relating to liver
disease resolved. This reaction occurs very quickly
in the course of taking Rimadyl, and if no symptoms
relating to liver disease (decrease in appetite, vomiting,
diarrhea, yellow appearance to skin) occur, than the
dog is expected to tolerate the drug quite well.
If concerned about this reaction with your dog, have
your veterinarian check blood tests before starting
Rimadyl, and once weekly thereafter for a few weeks,
to follow the effects on the liver enzymes measured.
Any marked changes or increases in liver enzymes may
alert your veterinarian towards the possibility of adverse
drug reaction, and therefore discontinuation of Rimadyl
would be recommended.
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