Carprofen
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Is Carprofen safe to give at home?
Carprofen is a prescription anti-inflammatory for dogs, dosed from that dog's weight and the product label. It is not a human painkiller and it is not a cat medicine. Extra doses, or combining it with another anti-inflammatory, can cause ulcers or kidney injury.
Veterinary use
- Osteoarthritis pain in dogs
- Post-operative pain in dogs when prescribed
Weight and dosage reference
Do not calculate a home dose from this page. A veterinarian uses the animal's weight in pounds (kilograms), the species, and the exact product. This database does not publish a milligram chart, and a dose must never be copied from another pet.
Carprofen is labeled for dogs and is dosed from the dog's current weight on a veterinary prescription. It is not a cat drug and not a substitute for ibuprofen. This page does not publish the milligram-per-kilogram dose; never give a second anti-inflammatory on the same day.
Overdose and toxic exposure
An extra dose, a double-up with another NSAID or a steroid, or any dose in a cat can cause stomach ulcers, liver injury, or kidney failure. A veterinarian sets any amount from the animal's weight in pounds (kilograms) and the exact product in hand.
- Vomiting or black stool
- Refusing food
- Yellow gums
- Increased thirst and urination
What the emergency vet will do
The hospital stops the drug, starts intravenous fluids, uses gastrointestinal protectants, and rechecks liver and kidney tests. Bring the chewable tablets so the team can count what is missing. A veterinarian sets any amount from the animal's weight in pounds (kilograms) and the exact product in hand.
Which agencies regulate veterinary drugs?
The FDA regulates pet food and animal drugs in the United States. The VMD licenses veterinary medicines in the United Kingdom, where DEFRA also sets animal-health rules, and the APVMA registers veterinary chemical products in Australia. This page is an educational summary, not a product label or a prescription.