Article Source: You were recently given Rimadyl from your veterinarian for your dog, or your vet has suggested the drug for your dog. Watch out for these Rimadyl side effects to prevent a potentially life-threatening reaction.
Loss of appetite or refusing to drink water.
Blood in their urine or a sweet smell to their urine.
Also look out for:
- Urinating frequently or having accidents in the house.
- Severe vomiting or blood in the vomit.
- Severe diarrhea. Look out for blood in the diarrhea or a black mucus in the stools.
- Suddenly becoming lethargic, sleepy, overactive, restless, or aggressive.
- Suddenly becoming weak, stumbling, staggering, seizures, dizziness, losing balance, or paralysis.
- Jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin, mucus membranes, and whites of the eyes.
If any of the above Rimadyl side effects appear, or you think your dog may be suffering from Rimadyl side effects, stop administering the drug and take your dog to his vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately. The earlier your vet can treat your dog, the better the chances are of your dog recovering. Your vet will more than likely order a blood panel and Complete Blood Count to determine the therapy your dog will need to recover from the side effects. If the vet has any questions or isn’t sure how to treat your dog, have them contact the manufacturer Pfizer. The Pfizer veterinarians will be able to offer advice about the Rimadyl side effects to the vet for the necessary tests your dog may need.
Keep a record of all Rimadyl side effects you notice with your dog along with any paperwork and information you receive from the vet when they treat your dog. Keeping a diary of information comes in handy if you find yourself explaining the symptoms to your vet or contacting Pfizer regarding treatment or when applying to them for reimbursement of medical and prescription costs.
It’s important to talk with your vet before giving your dog Rimadyl. Ask him or her about the side effects you should watch out for with Rimadyl and what you should do if you see any of them occurring in your dog. Be aware too that there are other, non-prescription alternatives to using Rimadyl for dog arthritis. For example, glucosamine supplements have virtually no side effects as Rimadyl does. Glucosamine is safe and all-natural, which aids in rebuilding the damaged tissue causing the problem. Where prescription drugs only mask the pain, glucosamine products can actually reverse some of the damage which has caused the arthritis in the first place. Again, ask your vet about using glucosamine in place of Rimadyl.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are supplements which can offer relief for your dog. Although Rimadyl does have the possibility for dangerous side effects, it is used safely in many dogs. Just be aware of the effects to watch out for and keep a close watch on your dog if he or she is taking the drug.