How Much Rimadyl Will Kill A Dog

The Shocking Truth About Rimadyl and Dog Deaths

Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed by veterinarians for dogs with arthritis or other painful conditions. While Rimadyl can provide relief for many dogs, it can also cause serious side effects, including liver damage, kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even death. But how much Rimadyl does it take to kill a dog? The answer may surprise you.

According to the official label of Rimadyl for dogs, the recommended dosage is 2 mg per pound of body weight given once daily. This means that a 50-pound dog should receive 100 mg of Rimadyl per day. However, this dosage is only an approximation and should be adjusted based on the individual dog’s health status and response to treatment.

If a dog accidentally ingests more than the recommended amount of Rimadyl, or if a human gives too much Rimadyl to a dog without realizing the danger, the consequences can be deadly. In fact, there have been numerous reports of dogs dying from Rimadyl toxicity, especially when combined with other drugs or underlying health problems.

So how much Rimadyl will kill a dog? The lethal dose of Rimadyl varies depending on several factors, such as the dog’s breed, age, size, weight, sex, metabolism, and overall health condition. Some dogs may be more sensitive to Rimadyl than others due to genetic predisposition or pre-existing liver or kidney disease. Therefore, even a small overdose of Rimadyl can cause serious harm or death in some cases.

To give you an idea of how dangerous Rimadyl can be, let’s look at some real-world examples of dog deaths related to Rimadyl use:

– In 2007, a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever named Levi died after receiving a double dose of Rimadyl for his arthritis. According to his owner, Levi had been taking Rimadyl for several years without any problems until the day he accidentally received 300 mg instead of 150 mg. Within hours, Levi became lethargic, vomited blood, and collapsed. Despite emergency treatment, Levi died from liver failure caused by Rimadyl toxicity.

– In 2011, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever named Buddy died after being given Rimadyl for a sprained leg. According to his owner, Buddy had never taken Rimadyl before but seemed to tolerate it well at first. However, after two days of treatment, Buddy’s appetite decreased and he started vomiting. His owner took him back to the vet, who prescribed another drug (metoclopramide) to control the vomiting. Unfortunately, this drug interacted with Rimadyl and caused Buddy’s kidneys to fail. Despite intensive care, Buddy died from acute renal failure caused by Rimadyl toxicity.

– In 2016, a 7-year-old Australian Cattle Dog named Koda died after ingesting an unknown amount of Rimadyl that was left within reach in his owner’s house. According to his owner, Koda had no history of health problems and was a healthy and active dog. However, when his owner returned home from work one day, she found Koda lying on the floor unresponsive and surrounded by vomit. She rushed him to the vet, but it was too late. Koda had already suffered irreversible damage to his liver and kidneys due to Rimadyl poisoning.

These stories are not meant to scare you away from using Rimadyl for your dog if it is prescribed by a qualified veterinarian after a thorough examination and diagnosis. Rather, they illustrate the potential dangers of giving too much or combining Rimadyl with other drugs without proper supervision and monitoring.

If you suspect that your dog has ingested too much Rimadyl, or if you notice any signs of Rimadyl toxicity, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, or seizures, seek immediate veterinary attention. Early detection and treatment can make a huge difference in the outcome for your dog.

In conclusion, how much Rimadyl will kill a dog is not a simple question to answer. It depends on many factors and should be determined by a qualified veterinarian who knows your dog’s medical history and condition. As a responsible pet owner, you should always follow the dosage instructions given by your vet and never exceed them without consulting them first. You should also keep all drugs out of reach of your pets and supervise their medication intake closely. Remember that prevention is better than cure when it comes to your pet’s health and safety.