Ketoprofen
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Ketoprofen during a consultation by Dr Noor in Perth.”
Ketoprofen for pets
(kee-toe-proe-fen)
Description:
Ketoprofen is a medicine that reduces swelling and pain. It belongs to a group often called “NSAIDs,” which means non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Ketofen®
- Anafen®
Common Dosage Forms:
Veterinary (animal products):
- In Canada and the United Kingdom: tablets taken by mouth in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths; and an injectable liquid that contains 100 mg in each mL.
Human (people products):
- Capsules taken by mouth in 50 mg and 75 mg strengths; and 200 mg capsules that release the medicine slowly over time (extended release).
- Specially prepared versions (compounded forms) may also be available.
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- For small animals, give this medicine with food.
- For horses, do not give this medicine by injecting it into an artery, and do not inject it under the skin (subcutaneously, SC).
- In cats, this medicine must only be used for a short time (only a few days), because serious side effects can happen.
- The side effects seen most often involve the stomach and intestines (for example, eating less, vomiting, or diarrhea in small animals). More serious problems can also happen, such as ulcers, bleeding, and liver or kidney problems.
How is this medication useful?
Ketoprofen is used to lower pain and swelling in dogs, cats (only for short-term use), small mammals, and horses.
In some other countries, this medicine is approved for dogs and cats.
You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best choice for your animal.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works and how safe it is for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medicine reactions your animal has had before. Examples include allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You may notice your animal feels better within 1 to 2 hours after a dose.
- After that, the signs of the problem should start to improve.
- This medicine has effects that last a moderate amount of time. This means the effects may continue for a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be:
If your animal has any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- Used in animals that have had an allergy to this medicine or to other NSAID pain/swelling medicines (for example, carprofen).
- Used in horses that are intended to be used for food.
- Given to horses by injection into an artery (IA) or by injection under the skin (subcutaneous, SC).
- Used in animals that are already receiving other NSAID medicines (for example, deracoxib, flunixin, etodolac, firocoxib, meloxicam), aspirin, or steroid medicines (corticosteroids) such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone. Using these together increases the chance of side effects.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
If your animal has any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- Animals that currently have stomach or intestinal ulcers, or have had them before, because this medicine may worsen ulcers or cause them to return.
- Animals that are dehydrated, or animals receiving water-pill medicines (diuretics) such as furosemide.
- Animals that already have kidney, heart, and/or liver problems.
- Animals that are pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding. It is not known whether ketoprofen is safe in these animals.
- Animals that are very young, very old, weak, or frail.
- Animals with bleeding disorders.
- Animals that may have an infection, because ketoprofen can cover up signs of infection (for example, fever).
- Animals that have low protein levels in their blood.
- Cats: this medicine should only be used for a few days in cats, because serious kidney effects could occur.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Horses:
In horses, ketoprofen seems to be fairly safe.
Dogs, Cats, Small Mammals:
Most dogs, cats (when used for 5 days or less), and small mammals handle ketoprofen well. However, side effects can happen, and some can be very serious. These may include:
- Lack of interest in food.
- Signs of belly pain in horses (colic), such as kicking at the belly or rolling.
- Weight loss.
- Low energy.
- Swelling or irritation where the injection was given.
- Eating less than usual, losing weight, vomiting, or changes in stool (such as diarrhea, or stool that is black and tar-like, or stool with blood).
- Changes in behavior or activity (more active or less active than normal), trouble with coordination (such as stumbling or clumsiness), weakness, seizures (convulsions), or aggressive behavior (threatening actions).
- Yellow color of the gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Changes in how much your animal drinks or how often it drinks, or changes in urination (how often, the color, or the smell).
- Skin changes (for example, redness, scabs, or scratching).
If you notice any of these signs, stop giving this medicine and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Other uncommon side effects have also been reported. If you are worried about anything while your animal is taking this medicine, contact your veterinarian.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it.
- Always read the prescription label so you confirm the correct directions.
- If giving by mouth, ketoprofen is best given with food.
- If giving injections to horses, do not inject into an artery (IA) and do not inject under the skin (SC, subcutaneous).
- The product label does not list injection into muscle (intramuscular, IM) as an approved route, but it is often given this way. Injections into muscle can sometimes lead to irritation or swelling at the injection site.
- If you are using a specially prepared (compounded) liquid, measure it very carefully. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special spoons or dosing syringes to help.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to reduce stress during medication time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your animal to keep taking it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full course of treatment is finished.
- Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
- Then continue with the normal schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep oral forms in the original prescription container, or in an approved pill organizer, at room temperature and away from light.
- Keep the injectable liquid in the original vial at room temperature.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a special (compounded) form for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store this medicine where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special safety steps are needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it.
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unattractive to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash. Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving ketoprofen.
- Your veterinarian will need to run blood tests from time to time while your animal is taking ketoprofen. Keep these follow-up appointments.
- If you have any other questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”