Carprofen Dosing Chart for Dogs: Safe Carprofen Injection Dosage Guide for Pain Relief

Carprofen Dosing Chart for Dogs: Carprofen Injection for Dogs.

Carprofen is a non-narcotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is effective in reducing inflammation, controlling pain (analgesic), and lowering fever (antipyretic). It is considered to be as effective as Indomethacin.

Carprofen Injection, which contains Carprofen, is an NSAID primarily used by veterinarians to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever in dogs.

This blog post provides information on the uses of Carprofen Injection, its dosage, side effects, and precautions.

Composition of Carprofen Injection

Carprofen Injection is available as a sterile liquid form containing Carprofen. It is classified as an NSAID and helps reduce inflammation, fever, and pain. Carprofen belongs to the propionic acid class, which also includes Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Ketoprofen.

• Chemical Name: 6-chloro-α-methyl-9H-carbazole-2-acetic acid
• Chemical Formula: C15H12ClNO2
• Molecular Weight: 273.72
• Brand Name: Carprofen Injection
• Company Name : Covetrus North America

Carprofen Injection Ingredients

• Carprofen: 50.0 mg/mL
• Arginine: 30.0 mg
• Glycocholic Acid: 88.5 mg
• Lecithin: 169.0 mg
• Benzyl Alcohol: 10.0 mg
• Sodium Hydroxide & Hydrochloric Acid: q.s.
• Sterile Water: q.s.

Note: Sodium Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid are used to balance the pH.

Mechanism of Action of Carprofen

Carprofen works by inhibiting the activity of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, which helps in reducing inflammation, pain, and fever in the body.

There are two types of COX enzymes:

• COX-1: Responsible for the production of prostaglandins essential for gastrointestinal (GI) and kidney functions.
• COX-2: Responsible for producing prostaglandins associated with inflammation.

By inhibiting COX-2, Carprofen effectively reduces inflammation and pain without significantly affecting COX-1, thus minimizing the risk of gastrointestinal and kidney issues.

Studies conducted on dogs indicate that Carprofen is more effective at inhibiting COX-2 compared to COX-1. This makes Carprofen an ideal choice for reducing inflammation, pain, and fever in dogs.

Veterinary Uses of Carprofen Injection

Carprofen Injection comes as the Carprofen salt. It is an NSAID used in animals to reduce fever, inflammation, and pain caused by injury or surgery. In dogs, Carprofen Injection is used for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

1. Osteoarthritis Treatment
Carprofen Injection is used in dogs for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).

Osteoarthritis Disease :

Osteoarthritis, also known as arthritis, is a chronic and progressively worsening joint disease found in dogs and large animals. It is primarily seen in older animals. In OA, the bones between joints wear down due to friction, leading to pain while walking and during urination.

The joints of animals contain a fluid called Synovial fluid, which helps reduce friction between the bones and keeps the joints lubricated. As animals age, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, causing the bones to rub against each other and leading to joint stiffness.

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in older dogs but can also occur in dogs with obesity or other orthopedic issues. There is no complete cure for this condition, but pain relief is often achieved using Carprofen Injection and Meloxicam Injection.

Symptoms: The symptoms of osteoarthritis depend on the number of affected joints and the severity of the disease. Common signs include:

• Joint pain and stiffness
• Limping while walking
• Difficulty climbing or jumping

2. Postoperative Pain Relief
Carprofen Injection is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever in animals after surgery. It also helps alleviate discomfort, insomnia, and fatigue.

• General Pain Relief (Analgesic)
• Fever Reduction (Antipyretic)
• Inflammation Reduction (Anti-inflammatory)

Carprofen Injection is primarily used in dogs to reduce pain (analgesic), fever (antipyretic), and inflammation (anti-inflammatory).

3. Supportive Treatment
Carprofen Injection is also used as supportive treatment in various diseases, aiming to reduce general pain in animals.

Available Dosages of Carprofen

Carprofen is typically available in the following dosages:

• Carprofen 50 mg/ml

Carprofen for Dogs Dosage

• Drug: Carprofen
• Dose: 1.4 mg/kg body weight
• Animal Type: Only for Dogs
• Route: SC/PO (Subcutaneous/Oral Route)
• Frequency: Single Dose (SD)

Animal Safety 

The use of Carprofen in dogs, when administered orally (Oral Route / P.O / Per-Os / Enteral / Intestinal Route) and subcutaneously (Subcutaneous Route), has been found to be safe. No severe issues (toxicity) were observed in the body when administered through these routes. It is considered to be the safest method of administration for dogs, whether orally or subcutaneously.

1. General Tolerance:
   • Safety: Studies have confirmed that Carprofen is safe for dogs when administered orally (Oral Route) and subcutaneously (Subcutaneous Route).
   • Tolerance: Dogs tolerate this medication well, and no serious side effects have been observed under normal circumstances.
2. Target Animal Safety Studies:42-day Study:
   • Dosage: Healthy Beagle dogs were administered doses of 1, 3, and 5 mg/lb twice daily (b.i.d) orally.
   • Results: No severe issues were found.
   • Mild Effects:
     • One dog showed a slight decrease in blood protein (Albumin).
     • Some dogs showed slight blood in feces and mild redness in the intestines.
   • High Dose Effects:
     • Dosage: A high dose of 10 mg/lb was administered twice daily for 14 days.
     • Results:
       • 2 out of 8 dogs exhibited a decrease in albumin and mild intestinal issues.
       • No serious ulcers or wounds were found.
   • Long-Term Use:
     • Study Duration: 13 and 52 weeks.
     • Results: All dogs tolerated the medication well.
     • Mild Effects: Mild skin changes were observed, which were diagnosed as nonspecific dermatitis.
3. Clinical Studies:Study on 549 Dogs:
   • Duration: 14 days.
   • Results:
     • The medication was tolerated similarly to a placebo (inactive drug).
     • A slight increase in liver enzyme levels (ALT) was observed in some dogs, but it was not considered significant.
   Use During Surgery:Study on 331 Dogs:
   • Dosage: 2 mg/lb before and after surgery.
   • Results: The dosage was found to be both safe and effective.
   • Common Side Effect: Vomiting was the most common side effect, but it occurred equally in both the placebo and the drug groups.
4. Injection Site Effects:
   • Results: Mild swelling was observed at the injection site.
   • This effect was not severe and generally resolved on its own.

Warnings

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Not for human use. If ingested accidentally, contact a doctor immediately.
• For use in dogs only. Do not use in cats.

Side Effects and Precautions of Carprofen

1. General Warnings:

Effects of NSAIDs:
Carprofen is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that works by inhibiting the action of Cyclooxygenase enzymes. This process may lead to gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver-related issues. These problems primarily arise due to the reduced production of prostaglandins, which play a vital role in maintaining the body’s homeostatic functions.

Kidney and Liver Diseases:
Dogs already suffering from kidney, liver, or heart-related conditions should not be administered Carprofen or any other NSAIDs.

2. Adverse Reactions:

Most Common Effects:
Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are the most frequently observed side effects.

Other Potential Effects:
Carprofen may also cause issues related to the kidneys, blood, nervous system, skin, and liver.

At-Risk Dogs:

• Dogs suffering from dehydration.
• Dogs taking diuretic medications.
• Dogs with pre-existing kidney, heart, or liver conditions.

3. Use with Other Medications:

Combination with NSAIDs and Corticosteroids:
Carprofen should not be used in conjunction with other NSAIDs or Corticosteroids. Doing so significantly increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.

Bleeding Disorders:
Carprofen is not safe for dogs with bleeding-related disorders, such as Von Willebrand’s Disease.

Von Willebrand Disease (VWD):
This is a hereditary blood disorder that disrupts the clotting process, leading to abnormal bleeding.

Other Brands of Carprofen Tablet

• MOVODYL™ Chewable Tablets (Carprofen)
• Company Name: Vibac
• Medicine Name: MOVODYL™ Chewable Tablets

Function:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): For pain and inflammation.
• Post-surgery pain: Administer 2 hours before surgery.

It functions similarly to Carprofen injection. MOVODYL™ Chewable Tablets are used solely in dogs for pain relief, reducing fever, and reducing inflammation.

Carprofen Dosing Chart

Drug: Carprofen (MOVODYL™ Chewable Tablets)
Dose: 2 mg/lb ≈ 4.41 mg/kg body weight
It can be administered in the following ways:

• Once daily: 2 mg/lb per day.
• Twice daily: 1 mg/lb twice a day.

Animal Type: For dogs only
Route: PO (Oral Route)
Frequency: Single Dose (SD)

Carprofen Dosing Chart for Dogs (by Weight in Pounds)

Carprofen Dosing Chart for Dogs (by Weight in Kilograms)