The Therapeutic Efficacy of Carprofen (Rimadyl-V™) in 209 Clinical Cases of Canine Degenerative Joint Disease

Abstract

SummaryCarprofen (D,L-6-chlor-alphamethylcarbazole-2-acetic acid) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with demonstrated therapeutic activity in the relief of clinical signs of degenerative joint disease in laboratory animal models and in human trials. The double-blind clinical study, reported herein, compared the therapeutic efficacy of carprofen with that of a placebo, in the acute relief of clinical canine degenerative joint disease. Twohundred and nine cases were collected from 10 studies in three geographic regions of the USA. The results of logistic analysis showed that dogs treated with carprofen were 24.8 times more likely to receive a positive evaluation by the veterinarian than those treated with a placebo (p <0.01). The odds of showing improvement, when evaluated by the owners, were 13.4 times greater than placebo (p <0.01). The evaluation from the veterinarian and the owner had excellent agreement (Kappa = 0.997) for dogs treated with carprofen and good agreement (Kappa = 0.667) for those treated with the placebo. Regional differences in response rate were not found in these studies. This trial demonstrated that carprofen is efficacious, across geographic regions, in the acute relief of clinical signs associated with canine degenerative joint disease.Carprofen is a new anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic potency. Side effects reported are few. Dogs with degenerative joint disease (DSD) treated with carprofen were 24.8 times more likely to respond favourably than placebo-treated dogs (p <0.01). This study concluded that carprofen is an effective NSAID in relieving the clinical signs of DSD in dogs.