Paracetamol is widely used by people as a pain reliever. When the dog or cat is not feeling well, it is tempting to give him or her some paracetamol as well.
"Do not do that!"
Do not do that! In humans, paracetamol is a relatively safe drug. In dogs and cats, paracetamol can cause poisoning symptoms with, in the worst case, death.
Acetaminophen can be fatal
In cats, 75 mg/kg is already fatal, which means that 1 paracetamol tablet of 500 mg is already fatal for a cat. At a dose of 20 mg/kg, symptoms of poisoning can already occur. Symptoms that can be seen are: vomiting, shortness of breath, depression and not wanting to eat. Eventually, very serious liver damage can occur and problems with the red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body, can arise.
Dogs react less violently to paracetamol. In dogs, 250 mg/kg is lethal, but there is a very large variation between individuals. A dose that is used for dogs is 15 mg / kg, a maximum of 3 times a day. Because paracetamol has a very short effective period in dogs, a maximum of 1.5 hours, its use is of little use and major problems can only arise if too much is accidentally given. It is recommended that you only use painkillers that are prescribed after a visit to the vet.
Still taking paracetamol?
In short, do not give paracetamol to your pet! Always consult a vet if your dog or cat has ingested paracetamol. If it has been less than 2-4 hours since your dog or cat ingested paracetamol, it is important to induce vomiting or gastric lavage. Never give a spoonful of salt to make an animal vomit, as this can cause great damage to the organs. Visit a vet! They will also be able to give you advice on what else to do