Use of carprofen for the treatment of locomotor diseases of dogs. Domesticexperiences

In case of locomotor diseases of dogs the options for the continuous treatm ent of chronic inflammation and pain has been limited so far. The non-stero id anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, carprofen (Rimadyl, Pfizer) can be used much more safely than its precedents. In the article the data of 427 dogs treated with carprofen in 104 veterinary surgeries are elaborated. 65% of veterinary questionnaires were sent back together with the questionnair es containing the opinion of the owners. 46% of the treated dogs were of la rge breed and a body weight of 30 kg on average and 8-12 years old. Occurre nce of males among the patients was double than that of females. 72% of the patients were treated continuously for a month or longer. 87% of the dogs had severe or medium degree lameness. 86% of the changes were chronic, 44% were localised to the hip joint, 21% to the spinal chord, 21% to other join ts (shoulder, elbow, mandible). On the basis of veterinarians' opinion 76% of the cases improved well. and significantly, in case of owners' opinion t his was 79%. In case of 85% of the treated cases improvement started on the first week The veterinarians treated acute changes (panostitis, luxation) in 13% of the 427 patients and tumours (bone tumour) in 1% of them. The vet erinarians observed temporary vomiting as side effect in 2% of the 427 trea ted cases, temporary diarrhoea in 1.6% and decreased or increased appetite in 3%. Domestic results support the effectiveness and safety of carprofen f or the continuous treatment of dogs suffering from chronic locomotor diseas e and for the improvement their life quality.