I’m seeing variable analgesia with grapiprant in geriatric dogs; in three 28–34 kg labs this month, [redacted]/kg q24h reduced pain scores modestly, while carprofen [redacted]/kg q24h improved function but triggered soft stools in two cases by day 5… For those tracking outcomes, are you finding EP4 antagonism worth the GI safety margin, or do you step back to NSAIDs when mobility targets aren’t met?
I’m seeing the same in big seniors; if “EP4 antagonism” underwhelms by week 2, @OP, I switch to carprofen at roughly half‑label with food and add gabapentin, then creep up only if stools stay firm — Goldilocks dosing. If soft stools recur, meloxicam or firocoxib has been a touch gentler for me than carprofen. I also do a brief washout when swapping classes unless the dog’s really struggling.
Splitting carprofen to BID with a small meal turned the soft stools around in two geriatric labs while keeping the mobility gains. > touch gentler for me than carprofen. I also do a brief washout when swapping classes unless the — same here; a 24–48 h washout when moving off grapiprant has been enough, and I’ll bridge with a little gabapentin if they’re sore, @tmorris45.
One tweak that salvaged grapiprant for a 32‑kg Lab was dosing on an “empty stomach” 45–60 min before breakfast — pain scores improved by day 7 without needing to pivot back to carprofen. To keep the GI margin, @OP, I’ll allow a small snack 30 min later and still recheck renal/hepatic labs at 2 weeks.