Can you please give your thoughts on administering Rimadyl to dogs?  I lost my seven-and-a-half-year-old black Lab this year after she had been on this drug for about a month.  Needless to say, I am heartbroken and feel guilty, because I have read some negative things now about the effect it has on some dogs.  My vet thinks that she had an underlying illness that caused her to fail.  For the sake of my other pets, I need to know if this drug is truly a menace or simply getting a bad rap in the press.

Thank you,

Jennifer L. Pope

Dear Jennifer,

Rimadyl is a member of a class of drugs called NSAIDS. This class includes many drugs from aspirin to celebrex, all of which have side effects as well as extremely effective pain control. The most common side effect of all the drugs in this class is ulcers and stomach upset.
    
As the first FDA approved NSAID brought to the canine market, Rimadyl came under heavy fire for a few Labrador Retrievers who were reported to have died of liver failure after taking Rimadyl. Considering the number of patients on Rimadyl at that time, these cases were no more common than the number of dogs who died of liver failure without medication. For those first years though, even I was cautious using it.
     
Over the years, I have become increasingly comfortable with Rimadyl and use it regularly in my patients with chronic pain as well as post-surgical pain. There has been little evidence that Rimadyl is any more dangerous than any other NSAID on the market, and, in my opinion, this and the other NSAIDS have done more to improve the quality of life in my patients than any other drug I have ever used. I do track blood values on patients taking NSAIDS chronically, but I have only rarely had to stop therapy and have never had a related death as far as I am aware.
     
In a relatively young patient who dies unexpectedly, I tend to agree with your vet that there was some other cause (unless there is a ruptured ulcer). I am assuming that your dog was in some pain to necessitate the Rimadyl and feel comfortable saying that you made the best decision to give her a pain-free life. There is no reason for you to feel guilty, and, as your other dogs age and need pain relief, I would feel comfortable using it again. However, if you don’t feel comfortable using Rimadyl, there are several other NSAIDS available. They all have the potential for some side effects but are a real lifesaver for a dog who is losing quality to a painful disease such as osteoarthritis.

Dr. Weaver

About Dr. Sherry Weaver
Dr. Weaver graduated with honors from the University of Georgia's School of Veterinary Medicine.  She founded a state-of-the-art animal hospital, teaches pet care to children, and donates time and resources to rescue organizations. For her full biography, click here.