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. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal.
Signs of toxicity from acetaminophen may develop within 1–4 hours of ingestion. 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.
Dogs can safely consume 15mg of paracetamol per kilogram of their bodyweight, however any dose greater than this can make them sick. A single tablet of human paracetamol contains 500mg, so it certainly isn't safe for your dog to eat.
No dog should be given paracetamol without being prescribed it by a vet. But if your dog does accidentally ingest paracetamol, the effects can vary depending on the size of the dog. For instance, a dog that weighs 20kg would only suffer toxic effects after eating seven 500mg tablets.
Dosage and strength
They come in different strengths: tablet – 500mg or 1g. capsule – 500mg. syrup you swallow (oral solution) – 120mg, 250mg or 500mg in 5ml.
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. Children under 16 need to take a lower dose, depending on their age or weight – check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
The usual dose for adults is either 500mg or 1g. If you weigh less than 50kg (8 stone), check the maximum dose you can take with your doctor or pharmacist. Adults can take 2 , 500mg tablets, 4 times in 24 hours. You must wait at least 4 hours between doses.
The most commonly used dose rate in dogs is 10 mg/kg orally every 12 hours. NEVER go above this does rate without first checking with your veterinarian.
Calpol contains 125mg of paracetamol per 5ml. Although there are no exact studies it is considered that as little as 150mg per kg can be extremely toxic for our furry friends.
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.
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.
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.
If untreated, an overdose of 10–15 g (20–30 tablets) can result in fatal hepatotoxicity. In the mid-1990s, there were ∼200 deaths each year in England and Wales from paracetamol alone.
It is worth mentioning that some poisoning symptoms in dogs will show up right away, whereas others might take a few hours after ingestion before they appear. In case you know that your dog has ingested something that might potentially be toxic or poisonous, you must not wait until any symptoms appear.
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.
Panadol – The GlaxoSmithKline brand name for 500g of Paracetamol . This 500g of Paracetamol is common among all of the panadol range and acts as an analgesic (pain relief) and anti-pyretic (decreases temperature). It contains no anti-inflammatory substances.
Serious side effects of paracetamol include:
Allergic reactions, which may be severe and include: Skin rashes, itching or hives. Swelling of the throat, tongue or face. Shortness of breath or wheezing.
Paracetamol begins to ease pain and lower a high temperature about 30 minutes after a dose is taken. Its effects usually last for about 4 to 6 hours.
Always take paracetamol exactly as instructed on this leaflet. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Take one tablet every four to six hours when necessary to a maximum of four doses in 24 hours.
The most common side effects of paracetamol are: drowsiness and fatigue. rashes and itching.
The usual dose for paracetamol is 1-2 tablets (500-1000mg) four times a day. You should not take more than 2 tablets at a time. A gap of at least 4 hour should be left between doses. A maximum of 8 tablets (4000mg or 4g) should be taken in a 24 hour period.
Overdosing may be fatal. Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).
Intravenous acetylcysteine is the antidote to treat paracetamol overdose and is virtually 100% effective in preventing liver damage when given within 8 hours of the overdose.
There may be no symptoms for the first day. A feeling of sickness (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) may occur a few hours after taking the overdose. After 24 hours there may be pain under the ribs on the right side (where the liver is) and there may be yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin (jaundice).