Side Effects of Rimadyl for Dogs

What it Does Not Do

Let's say your dog moves stiffly and is in obvious pain. Your vet prescribes Rimadyl for dogs and your once lame canine is bounding around like a puppy. Is he or she cured? No.

What Goes on Behind the Scene

Remember when I explained about Allopathic Physicians treating symptoms as though they were the disease, like inflammation? This is a perfect example of a medicine causing more problems.

First of all with arthritis there is a problem in the joints. Lack of lubricating fluid and maybe deterioration of joints, correct? (I hear you saying "yes".)

Okay, so take away the pain and the swelling (which is the body's way of protecting itself) by giving Rimadyl for dogs. Great. Your dog becomes very active. But there is still a lack of lubricating fluid and that poor canine has just created more stress and pain in the body because those joints have been rubbing without fluid, causing more damage. Are you with me on this? (I see you nodding in agreement.)

Back in 1988 Roch Laboratories got FDA approval to market Rimadyl (generically carprofen) for people. However the market was too crowded with other drugs and there were concerns about unusual liver function readings in people. (uh-oh!)

In 1997 they marketed instead in the pet drug category -- an estimated $3 billion market world-wide -- and Rimadyl became one of the bestsellers.

Bad drug reaction complaints to the FDA doubled the year it came out. Vets were told to give patient owners a list of side effects but many did not and still do not.

Commercials for Rimadyl were eventually dropped because they did not want to list death as a side effect as the FDA required.

Here is a partial list of Side Effects of Rimadyl for dogs that comes with the drug. This list is shortened from what I got on their website because it was rather lengthy and most un-doctors will not understand the conditions listed. I admit to using a medical dictionary myself. I also had to magnify it 150% to read it:

Known Side Effects of Rimadyl

Generalized, they include liver disease; immune diseases (anemia, low platelet count, skin diseases); neurologic signs (seizures, paralysis, unsteadiness); behavioral problems (hyperactivity, aggression, depression, or sedation) and death.

The above are just the ones listed on the drug information sheet. I have read about a host of other suspected things, including kidney failure.

One of the problems with drugs like this is without studies and individual autopsies, its hard to prove its the drug that killed a dog. Since most dogs with osteoarthritis are senior canines, even veterinarians may conclude that there was a preexisting problem before the drug was given.

Natural Arthritis Treatment for Dogs - Without Side Effects

First you can change to a natural dog food diet. To understand how and why to switch start with Healthy Dog Diet, which is step one.

Even older dogs can have profound improvement with nutrition.

Giving Cosequin will enhance production of lubricating fluids in the joints and helps joints repair themselves. Glycoflex is similar to Cosequin.

Also add an antioxidant enzyme such as, SOD - Superoxide Dismutase, which destroys the free radicals that contribute to degenerative diseases, like arthritis in dogs.

Personally I would be much more concerned about canine renal failure and dog liver problems, than arthritis.

If any of my dogs were diagnosed with arthritis, the first thing I would do is take them to an acupuncturist.

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