Dogs: The recommended dosage is 4.0 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight (1 ml/12.5 kg bodyweight), by intravenous or subcutaneous injection. The product is best given pre-operatively, either at the time of premedication or induction of anaesthesia.
Cats: The recommended dosage is 4.0 mg/kg (0.24 ml/3.0 kg bodyweight), by subcutaneous or intravenous injection, best given pre-operatively at the time of induction of anaesthesia. The use of a 1 ml graduated syringe is recommended to measure the dose accurately.
Clinical trial evidence in dogs and cats suggests only a single dose of carprofen is required in the first 24 hours perioperatively; if further analgesia is required in this period a half dose (2 mg/kg) of carprofen may be given to dogs (but not to cats) as necessary.
In dogs, to extend analgesic and anti-inflammatory cover post-operatively, parenteral therapy may be followed with carprofen tablets at 4 mg/kg/day for up to 5 days.
For administration of the product a 21-gauge needle should be used.
The cap can be punctured up to 20 times. When puncturing more than 20 times, use a draw-off needle.
Adverse reactions
Typical undesirable effects associated with NSAIDs such as vomiting, soft faeces/diarrhea, faecal occult blood, loss of appetite and lethargy have been reported. These adverse reactions occur generally within the first treatment week and are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal.
If adverse reactions occur, use of the product should be stopped and he advice of a veterinarian should be sought.
Occasionally reactions at the injection site may be observed following subcutaneous injection.
Special precautions for use in animals
Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment.
Due to the longer half life in cats and narrower therapeutic index, particular care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dose and the dose should not be repeated.
Use in aged dogs and cats may involve additional risk.
If such use cannot be avoided, such animals may require a reduced dosage and careful clinical management.
Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animals, as there is a potential risk of increased renal toxicity.
NSAIDs can cause inhibition of phagocytosis and hence in the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial infection, appropriate concurrent antimicrobial therapy should be instigated.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection.
Carprofen, in common with other NSAIDs, has been shown to exhibit photosensitising potential in laboratory animals. Avoid skin contact with the product. Should this occur, wash the affected area immediately.
As with other NSAIDs there is a risk of rare renal or idiosyncratic hepatic adverse events.
Use during pregnancy, lactation and lay
Laboratory studies in laboratory animals (rat, rabbit) have shown evidence of foetotoxic effects of carprofen at doses close to the therapeutic dose.
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Do not use in dogs or cats during pregnancy or lactation.