A 15 mg/kg therapeutic dose of paracetamol has been established for dogs. By contrast, a dose of 150 mg/kg is lethal for dogs. High quantities of paracetamol damage the liver (hepatic cytolysis, i.e., destruction of liver cells) and red blood cells (haemolysis, destruction of the body's oxygen-carrying cells).
Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal.
A mild case of paracetamol poisoning can give your dog an upset stomach, and they may appear to be tired. Other symptoms can include laboured breathing, swelling on the face, neck or limbs, gums turning brownish-grey and jaundice. More serious cases can include signs of staggering, vomiting and restlessness.
"Paracetamol is licensed in dogs as Pardale V for 5 days. The dose in Pardale V works out at 33mg of paracetamol for every kg of body weight, three times daily. The listed dose in most vet formularies is 10mg/kg twice to three times daily," Nick explains.
Recommended paracetamol dose in adults = 4g or 75mg/kg in 24h. Overdose = ingestion >75mg/kg. > 150mg/kg = Lethal.
24g of Paracetamol is generally accepted to be a fatal dose. The lowest amount of Paracetamol to cause death was found by one study to be 10g.
Based on the dose of paracetamol ingested (mg/kg body weight): Less than 150 mg/kg - unlikely. More than 250 mg/kg - likely. More than 12 g total - potentially fatal.
Paracetamol is not registered for use for dogs in Australia, meaning that it can only be administered to the strictest of guidelines. You should never give your dog paracetamol unless under strict instructions by your veterinarian to do so.
A dose as small as 150mg of paracetamol per kg of body weight is considered lethal in dogs. However, any dose larger than 75mg per kg of body weight is considered toxic to dogs and will likely cause serious illness, including damage to your pooch's liver and kidneys.
While it may be tempting to give your pooch some paracetamol to save on vet fees, the truth is, it's potentially dangerous and could end up costing you more in the long run.
In most cases, kidney and liver damage is not reversible. Ingestion of large doses of paracetamol can also cause coma or death. Quick treatment is essential for your dog's full recovery without permanent damage to the liver or kidneys.
Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans but it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20 kilogram dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects.
How much you can take depends on your age, your weight, the type of paracetamol you're taking and how strong it is. For example: Adults can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (500mg) every 4-6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 4g (8 x 500mg tablets) in the space of 24 hours.
Generally speaking, the recommended dose is 10mg to every kilo of body weight. So, a 40kg dog could take a whole 400mg tablet. Smaller dogs will require a smaller dose. As always, make sure that you check in with your vet before giving paracetamol to your pooch.
Each tablet contains 500 mg paracetamol. For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
Even if paracetamol doesn't produce serious effects, you may still notice your dog having an upset stomach. They will appear tired, and when you don't consult your vet early, it may also produce signs of staggering, restlessness, and vomiting.
Dogs are also sensitive to the effects of paracetamol where it can cause extensive liver damage leading to failure of the liver; a life-threatening complication. Early signs can include vomiting and reluctance to eat, which progress to diarrhoea, abdominal pain, jaundice, bleeding and collapse.
If you take too much
Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.
Each tablet contains Paracetamol 500 mg and Caffeine 65 mg. For full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
If you believe your pet ingested ibuprofen, it is important to call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center, at 1-800-213-6680 right away to have the risk of poisoning assessed. Depending upon the dose ingested, hospitalized care may be needed.
A major example of this is paracetamol. A standard in most homes, we use paracetamol fairly regularly for pain such as headaches or muscle pain. Sadly, paracetamol is hugely toxic in cats and as little as a single tablet can kill. This also includes child liquid formulations.
When prescribed to dogs, codeine is usually mixed with acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce its strength. The International Veterinary Council of Pain Management states that in a standard 30 mg of codeine/150 mg of acetaminophen dosage, a dog should be given roughly 1 to 2 mg per kilogram of weight every 8 to 12 hours.
This medicine is known to cause serious liver damage in case of overdose. You should not take this medicine too often or for a prolonged duration.
The recommended paracetamol dosing for adults and children 12 years and over is 500 to 1000mg every four to six hours as necessary, with a maximum of 4000mg in any 24 hour period.
You should not take more than 8 normal strength tablets in 24 hours (4,000mg). If levels exceed the above paracetamol can cause liver damage (hepatotoxicity) if you take larger doses than recommended. Adults must not take more than 4000 mg in a 24-hour period.