Summary
Carprofen (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.
Keywords
Carprofen - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - canine - degenerative joint disease
