Do you suffer from headaches?
Before you go to grab Tylenol Make sure you keep it away from your pet or your pet! Tylenol has an active component, acetaminophen (often called paracetamol in various countries) it is a well-known over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine and anti-fever medicine that is used by humans. Although this medication is safe for humans, however, it does have a small safe zone for cats and dogs.
Unfortunately, when both dogs and cats consume acetaminophen in a way, either by accident or because the pet’s owner mistakenly handed it to them- it is possible to develop poisoning in very low doses. The severity of poisoning with acetaminophen is contingent on the species in that cats and dogs exhibit different clinical signs and issues with poisoning.
Due to the fact that cats have an altered metabolic process in their livers (called glucuronidation), They metabolize acetaminophen in a way that is not optimal, which makes them more prone to poisoning. Acetaminophen’s toxic dose in cats is extremely low, just 10 mg/kg. This means that just one Tylenol tablet can cause death in cats.
In cats, poisoning by acetaminophen alters the red blood cell (RBC). Cats are affected by methemoglobinemia (metHb) which means that their red blood cells are unable to transport oxygen. This causes symptoms of cat poisoning include:
Lethargy
Inappetance
The face may be swelling or Paws
Trouble breathing
An increase in the respiratory rate
Breathing through the mouth breathing
Vomiting
Anemia
Gums that are colored abnormally (from brown to blue rather than pink)
Failure of the liver (less frequent)
Death
In dogs the poisoning acetaminophen can cause is greater than 100 mg/kg. In dogs, liver failure is the most common complication due to acetaminophen and with large amounts of ingestion methemoglobinemia (abnormal hemoglobin that isn’t able to carry oxygen throughout the body) can be observed. The signs of poisoning caused by acetaminophen in dogs are:
Dry eye (chronic eye squinting, abnormal green discharge from the eyes)
Inappetance
Lethargy
Vomiting
Stools with black-tarry stains
Gums that have been sour.
Higher levels of liver enzymes
Walking drunk
Coma
Seizures
If your cat or dog is exposed to acetaminophen, it’s generally too late to cause vomiting since the medication is absorbed quickly by the stomach. Instead, the treatment is the following options at your vet clinic:
Charcoal activated to bind the poisons in the stomach and the intestines
Blood tests to determine the RBC count, search for signs of methemoglobinemia, and to assess the liver’s values
IV fluids
Liver protection agents (such as SAMe and the n-acetylcysteine)
Therapy with oxygen, if required
Transfusions of blood, if required
Monitoring of blood oxygen levels and pressure
Care for patients with asymptomatic conditions.
Fortunately, with acetaminophen poisoning, there’s a remedy called the n-acetylcysteine (often called NAC). There aren’t all veterinarians who are equipped with this antidote and, therefore, when your pet is exposed to the toxic levels of acetaminophen, a referral to an emergency clinic or specialist clinic could be needed.
The outlook for poisoning with acetaminophen is usually good to fair with support and treatment with the remedy. If you are unsure, and you believe your pet or cat ingested Acetaminophen, consult your vet or emergency vet right away and seek immediate veterinary care (yes even in the middle of the night). If you suspect that your pet is poisoned the faster you seek medical attention the better your chances of recovery and the less expensive or harmful to both you and your pet.
