re: Veterinarians…a Question About Nsaid Poisoning for Dogs .UPDATE : Rimadyl poisoning.

My 13 year old dog is 65 lbs and takes 100mg of Rimadyl a day, and has been on it a couple years. We get her bloodwork done every year and it has been fine.

Just finished reading the whole thread. I’m so sorry and I understand how upset you are…I would feel the same. Is there any recourse for you, given the necropsy results?

Please update us if you get more info.

caro81, the necropsy results came in. Here’s the final analysis. Please share insight if you get a chance. I can email the entire report, also.


“Comments
Preliminary
The main gross findings include marked icterus, microhepatica with irregular surfaces and hepatic nodules, congestion,
endocardiosis, splenic nodules, hemorrhages in pancreas and small intestine, pulmonary edema, enlarged prostate
(suspected hyperplasia), pericardial effusion, and ulcerations on the right forelimb. Histopathology is pending.
Final
The main postmortem finding is acute centrilobular hepatic necrosis with cholestasis. This is compatible with the clinical
diagnosis of idiosyncratic drug reaction secondary to carprofen administration while similar lesions can be caused by
various hepatotoxins (e.g. sago palm, xylitol, blue green algae - microcystin, Amanita mushroom, hepatotoxic drugs). The
chronic centrilobular fibrosis in the liver is attributed to the marked endocardiosis. The microhepatica may be a result of
acute hepatocellular necrosis. The renal tubular degeneration and necrosis with bile cast is consistent with cholemic
nephropathy secondary to the acute liver injury. The interstitial/tubulointerstitial nephritis is likely secondary to the tubular
injury (cholemic nephropathy); however, this being a separate process (ex. bacterial, drug-induced) cannot be completely
ruled out. The lesions in the brain are suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy.
Overall, the hepatic, renal, and possibly cardiac findings likely account for the decline in this patient. The hyperplastic
lesions in the liver, spleen, prostate, and adrenal glands are common age-related changes.
The area in the right antebrachium with acute radiation therapy reaction (moist desquamation) is characterized
histologically by ulcerative dermatitis with adnexal atrophy and reactive change in the epidermis, adnexa with occasional
cell death. No soft tissue sarcoma is noted on gross and histological examination.“

So very sorry. These meds are dangerous and we have to weight the options. Librela (whatever it is for arthritis) is killing dogs, too.

I’m sorry for your loss. But you helped me make the decision to not give my dog Rimadyl when you posted this after losing your dog. She was limping so vet rx’d it. I already didn’t want to use it bc I knew the risks. I put it aside and ordered supplements off Four Leaf Rover and she’s no long limping.

Vets need to get out of big Pharma pockets and research and also verbally warn owners of risks.

I will never give a dog Rimadyl again. Our dog was getting a little arthritis in one leg joint, so the vet prescribed Rimadyl to help with the symptoms. Bloodwork was fine when we started her on it. Less than 2 months later she stopped eating, so we brought her back in and bloodwork showed that she was having liver failure. I had to put her down the next day.

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Was the tumor a sarcoma?

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Yes. It was. My dog was 11 years old. My goal was to give him a couple more years of hunting. He was in fantastic condition, otherwise. Watching him, you would’ve thought he was somewhere between six and seven years old.

It was believed the 19 daily radiation Treatments would likely eradicate or deter tumor growth for several years. Enough to accomplish our goal that he hit retirement without having to undergo another surgical removal.

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Just various postings in groups of losing dogs 3 days or so after giving

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So anecdotal evidence on social media. No definitive findings, peer reviewed studies, etc? Just because there is correlation doesnt mean there is causation.

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I saw reference to a class action suit posted.

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Just so you are aware every major drug and food company have lawsuits all the time. Doesnt mean much of anything.

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Proheart did or does have a black warning label

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It doesnt.

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I’ve see many people lose their pets (puppies to adults, no particular age) due to routine surgery spay/neuter.

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Again, not saying your experience is wrong. Yes there are risks to surgery, meds, etc. But if vets are losing patients (many according to you) to routine surgeries then they may practicing subpar medicine. No different than human doctors.

But to act like the is a major issue is disingenuous. You even said vets need to get out of big pharma's pocket so it seems like it is a stab at vets.

My experience is limited. But, I think we see adverse reactions from this medication classified as "idiosyncratic reaction"...but I think the reason for the reaction is explainable...the drug can cause liver injury in rare instances, the risk can be elevated in older animals, and it makes since that a higher dose may increase that risk. But, my opinion is shaped by my experience...I'm still and forever will be butthurt (not nearly an adequate description) over the death of my dog. He got cheated out of life.