Carprofen

[MichiH]

Pepper was spayed recently and given carprofen for pain. Well, we know that Pepper has a sensitive stomach and this medication tore her up. I stopped it after two days. She had horrible diarrhea that turned bloody, which was non stop for two days. We ended up in the ER and she was treated for mild dehydration, diarrhea, and given gabapentin.

I only gave her gabapentin for one day and she did well with it, just sleepy. Plus, I didn’t want to upset her stomach again. Although, gabapentin is safer for sensitive stomachs.

They also suggested she start taking psyllium husk daily. Definitely a good addition for dogs who suffer with loose stools.

Lesson learned to make sure I know exactly what the side effects can be from certain medication’s.

 

[Katyusharocket]

Lesson learned to make sure I know exactly what the side effects can be from certain medication’s.

You make a very good point here. As much as I completely adore our vet clinic, I can't ever remember seeing little stickers like I have gotten from the pharmacy about side effects or other warnings. One of my previous dogs was given carprofen and thinking back, I don't think anything was mentioned at the time, and there generally doesn't seem to be much discussion around it any other times we brought meds home. I guess it's a good reminder to ask when bringing our fur kid's meds home, or do a quick search from trusted sources. Or at least here in your case, you now already know what not to use, but it was a hard lesson.

 

[JanS]

I know exactly what the side effects can be from certain medication’s.

And it's good to make a list so you know what to avoid.

They also suggested she start taking psyllium husk daily.

I'm assuming that's what's in Metamucil so a good source of fiber?

 

[MichiH]

You make a very good point here. As much as I completely adore our vet clinic, I can't ever remember seeing little stickers like I have gotten from the pharmacy about side effects or other warnings. One of my previous dogs was given carprofen and thinking back, I don't think anything was mentioned at the time, and there generally doesn't seem to be much discussion around it any other times we brought meds home. I guess it's a good reminder to ask when bringing our fur kid's meds home, or do a quick search from trusted sources. Or at least here in your case, you now already know what not to use, but it was a hard lesson.

Looking back I am annoyed they prescribed her that knowing how sensitive she is. The ER did tell me it’s what vet’s prescribe first for pain.

Like @remy said Pro pectalin, have it on hand. Definitely a must!

 

[MichiH]

And it's good to make a list so you know what to avoid.

I'm assuming that's what's in Metamucil so a good source of fiber?

Yes, and noted to the vet never give that medicine or anything in its class to her.

Correct basically same as Metamucil, but I couldn’t find it without added sugars. Which was fun at 7 am leaving the ER Local health food store had psyllium husk powder thankfully. Kind of smells like wheat germ and beneficial for humans as well. About to start using it too lol.

 

[Ravenbird]

I'm going to ask what they gave Asha post operation before going home because she had the poops until empty then strained like she had to go but nothing left (by the time she was home it was over 24 hours w/out eating and she was too loopy to eat that night). They had said they give a pain med after surgery but it was optional if I wanted to bring more home with me, which I declined. Now I'm curious what it was they gave her because I don't hear of other dogs having to poop every 2 or 3 hours all night after a spay.

 

[MichiH]

I'm going to ask what they gave Asha post operation before going home because she had the poops until empty then strained like she had to go but nothing left (by the time she was home it was over 24 hours w/out eating and she was too loopy to eat that night). They had said they give a pain med after surgery but it was optional if I wanted to bring more home with me, which I declined. Now I'm curious what it was they gave her because I don't hear of other dogs having to poop every 2 or 3 hours all night after a spay.

I wonder too if that’s the pain meds she was given? I asked the ER why they’d give it to Pepper knowing her issues. She said it’s a very common medication to give after a spay.

Sounds similar to Peppers case after her spay. I had no idea the meds would cause such an issues with her gi tract.

Smart you didn’t take the meds home too.

Really upsetting they get spayed and then have to suffer with diarrhea for days too.

Poor girls need a break and we do too.

 

[JanS]

I had to look what they sent home with Olive since she didn't have any trouble after her spay. It was Previcox but I never gave her any and I'm not sure if they did while she was there or not.

 

[kuirksai]

Pepper was spayed recently and given carprofen for pain. Well, we know that Pepper has a sensitive stomach and this medication tore her up. I stopped it after two days. She had horrible diarrhea that turned bloody, which was non stop for two days. We ended up in the ER and she was treated for mild dehydration, diarrhea, and given gabapentin.

I only gave her gabapentin for one day and she did well with it, just sleepy. Plus, I didn’t want to upset her stomach again. Although, gabapentin is safer for sensitive stomachs.

They also suggested she start taking psyllium husk daily. Definitely a good addition for dogs who suffer with loose stools.

Lesson learned to make sure I know exactly what the side effects can be from certain medication’s.

Glad to hear Pepper is recovering! NSAIDs like Carprofen can be brutal on Dobermans with sensitive guts. It is terrifying to see that kind of reaction post-op. Psyllium husk is a game changer for firming up stools, we use it too.

 

[Rits]

Ripley has been taking Carprofen, or Ostifen (generic version) for quite a while now (over a year) for keeping inflammation down in her spine and has tolerated it quite well. She's on a low dose of 100mg twice a day. I would give an antacid 30 minutes before any pain reliever, then always give the pain reliever with food. Both of these to help make it easier on the GI. That said, GI upset can definitely be a possible side effect with Carprofen.

 

[Two Dobes]

How informative! I had never heard of psyllium husk....I use slippery elm for loose stools. Always good to know other things available.
@Rits did Ripley hurt herself awhile back? Sorry if I missed the thread....glad that carprofen is working for her. CBD oil worked for a female we had with a deformed leg...she could not tolerate carprofen either.