Paracetamol has been formulated for use in humans, but there is a formulation for dogs, and your veterinary surgeon may decide to prescribe it under some circumstances. Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe a specific dosage of paracetamol for your dog.
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.
In certain circumstances, it can be used in dogs. However, dogs require different doses than humans. Paracetamol can be highly toxic to dogs if they are given too high a dose. Some human paracetamol formulations also contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.
"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 good news is that researchers have developed NSAIDs specifically for cats and dogs. These medications are far less likely to cause the inhibition of the helpful prostaglandins than human NSAIDs, and are therefore highly unlikely to lead to kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or clotting problems.
The same medications that safely work in children or adults are not necessarily safe in dogs. While it's true that vets may prescribe human medications for dogs, there are important differences in drug tolerances, side effects, dose ranges, and applications.
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.
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.
At the recommended dose of 10–15 mg/kg every 8 hours, potential adverse effects of paracetamol include renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal and haematological disorders.
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.
It can be fatal, however prompt treatment is life-saving in most cases. 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.
Acetaminophen can cause liver damage or decrease the red blood cell's ability to carry oxygen (methemoglobinemia). Dogs may become depressed or weak, with rapid breathing, a high heart rate, panting, abdominal pain, vomiting or drooling. Affected dogs may also stop eating.
And never give your dog any human medicines intended to lower fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as they can be poisonous to dogs and cause severe injury or death.
These products should not be given to animals due to the risk of toxicity. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication. As little as one 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can toxic to cats and smaller dogs. NSAIDs are also considered a potential toxin for horses that are not eating.
Paracetamol can kill dogs even in a small overdose.
Side effects or symptoms of overdose of paracetamol in dogs can include liver damage, ulceration of the digestive tract, pale gums, vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, or seizures.
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.
It tends to get to work quickly and wear off within a couple of hours and only rarely cause side effects in Humans. Paracetamol is sometimes prescribed for your dog however the dosages will reflect the weight of your best friend. Giving a 500mg tablet to a Miniature Poodle for example, could cause ill effects.
It's therefore always best to avoid giving any human painkillers – including paracetamol – to your dog.
Q: What can I give my dog for pain? A: While human pain medications should be used for humans only, there are several pain medications that are formulated specifically to help manage your dog's pain. Dog painkillers include carprofen, deracoxib, firocoxib and meloxicam, each of which can be prescribed by your vet.
The main, or 'active', ingredient in Panadol is paracetamol, which is a simple pain reliever. It's used for treating mild to moderate aches and pains – such as headache, back ache, cold and flu symptoms, or toothache or muscle pain – as well as for helping to reduce fever.
Fortunately, no serious harm occurred, but some pet medicines can be harmful if taken by humans. Also, a person who takes a pet's medicine instead of the medicine that was prescribed will lose the benefit of taking the correct medicine.
Regulated online pharmacies in Australia are safe as registered Australian pharmacies supply their medicine. However, it is vital to do your research before using one. Before ordering medication online for your pet, always check the following: Know where the online animal pharmacy gets their products.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
The most common human pain medications that can be given to dogs are NSAIDs, such as meloxicam, carprofen, and etodolac.