Carprofen toxicity in dogs is usually caused by one of the following:
1. Take too much medicine by mistake
2 . The owner gave an incorrect dose of the drug (overdose)
3. Idiosyncratic reactions – pets are unusually sensitive to the side effects of drugs, and the reactions are not dose-related. Particular reactions usually cause damage to the liver but can also affect the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. These reactions can occur a few days to months after taking the drug.
Signs of carprofen poisoning in dogs may include:
1. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, melena (black tarry stools), abdominal pain, and stomach ulcers.
2. Kidney damage can cause symptoms of acute renal failure in dogs, such as thirst, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and pale (lighter-colored) urine.
3. Symptoms of liver damage include jaundice of the skin, gums, inside the ears, sclera (whites of the eyes), vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Carprofen Toxicity Diagnosis in Dogs
Carprofen Administration in Dogs A detailed understanding of the proven medication history can help your veterinarian determine the cause of your dog’s illness. In addition to obtaining a complete medical history and performing a thorough physical examination, your veterinarian may perform the following tests:
1. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that checks your pet’s white blood cells and Red blood cell count. Carprofen toxicity may slightly increase white blood cell counts. Red blood cell counts may decrease due to blood loss from bleeding peptic ulcers.
2. A biochemical assay is also a blood test that measures the levels of liver enzymes, which can increase if the liver is damaged. In addition, the test measures kidney function, such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which are both elevated in acute kidney failure. Your veterinarian may repeat this test during the pet’s treatment to ensure the values drop, indicating that the pet is recovering from the toxicity.
3. Urinalysis is done to assess the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine. Animals with acute renal failure usually present with dilute urine due to the inability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. The urine is also checked for small pieces of material, indicating damage to areas called tubules in the kidneys. Tubular injury is consistent with carprofen poisoning symptoms.
4. Urine culture and sensitivity analysis to rule out a bacterial infection in the urine.
5. Assessment of kidneys and liver by abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the liver or kidneys may be necessary to determine the extent of damage to these organs or to confirm carprofen as the underlying cause of the damage.
Treatment of carprofen poisoning in dogs
Hospitalization is recommended to provide final Treatment may take 2 to 5 days. Other treatments for dogs include:
1. If the pet accidentally swallows an overdose of pills within four hours, induce vomiting and gastric lavage to remove the undigested pills. These steps do not apply in the case of intoxication or special reactions from chronic carprofen use.
2. Use activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of carprofen by the body. Activated charcoal should not be used in cases of intoxication or special reactions due to the long-term use of carprofen.
3. Place IV catheters for IV fluids and other medications. When pets become dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea, intravenous fluids (diuretics) are given at high rates to treat or prevent kidney failure.
4. Take antacids such as sucralfate (Carafate), famotidine (Pepcid AC), or cimetidine (Tagamet) ) to prevent or treat gastric ulcers.
5. Take antiemetics such as metoclopramide (Reglan) or chlorpromazine.
Home Care and Prevention of Dog Poisoning
In case of accidental ingestion, remove any remaining tablets around your pet and take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.
If you have given carprofen to your dog and you notice vomiting, black stools, pale gums, or loss of appetite, stop giving carprofen to your dog and take your dog with you as soon as possible. The dog goes to the vet.
To prevent toxicity, never exceed the dose prescribed by your veterinarian. You can mix the medicine with food and give it to your dog, which can also help prevent an upset stomach.
