In most cases, the proper Rimadyl® dosage will be determined by a veterinarian based on the weight of the dog. This drug is currently only approved for use in dogs, though it has been used in humans in the past. Aside from the dog's weight, the nature of the injury and the reaction of the animal to the medication may lead to adjustments in the Rimadyl® dosage.
The main factor that affects Rimadyl® dosage is the weight of the dog. In general, veterinarians will prescribe 2 milligrams of this medication per 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) per day. When administered in tablet form, the dose may be rounded to the nearest 5 or 10 milligrams in order to correspond with the size of the pills, which come in 20, 25, 75, and 100 milligrams. Liquid suspensions of this medication can be more precisely measured so that a dog of a certain weight can receive the proper amount of Rimadyl®.
Veterinarians may also prescribe different doses of this medication when treating different conditions. Dogs with acute pain, such as that caused by injury or surgery, may be given Rimadyl® for only a short period of time, while those with chronic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, may be given long-term treatment. Determining whether to adjust the Rimadyl® dosage based on how long the dog will take it depends on an analysis of the dog's general health, the potential benefits of the drug, and the potential side effects. Long term use of this drug has been linked to a number of serious side effects, including sudden death, and veterinarians may decide to prescribe a smaller Rimadyl® dosage in some cases.
Every dog will react differently when given Rimadyl®. Veterinarians will take a dog's reaction to the medication into account when determining the proper Rimadyl® dosage to give. A dog that experiences negative side effects, such as vomiting or serious fatigue, may be given a smaller dose of the drug to try. If side effects continue, the dog may need to be switched to a different type of medication.
The species of animal given Rimadyl® also effects the proper Rimadyl® dosage. Though it is no longer used in human medicine, at one point, Rimadyl® was used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory in humans. It was found to be safe and effective but was taken off the market due to competition from other drugs in this class. In humans, doses of between 150 and 250 milligrams were commonly given for everyday joint pain, while larger doses of up to 650 milligrams were used to relieve intense pain.