Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Paracetamol poisoning signs and treatment in pets
By Bates, Nicola·Published in Companion Animal·2016·Medical Toxicology and Information Services, Mary Sheridan House, 13 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Paracetamol poisoning
Plain-English summary
A dog can suffer from paracetamol poisoning if it accidentally ingests this common pain reliever, which can be toxic even in small amounts. Symptoms of poisoning include difficulty breathing, a bluish tint to the gums, weakness, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. If a dog is suspected of having ingested paracetamol, the veterinarian may administer acetylcysteine, which is the recommended antidote to help counteract the effects of the poison. With prompt treatment, many dogs can recover from this serious condition.
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Abstract
Paracetamol is a very common and readily available analgesic, alone or in combination with other drugs in some cold and flu products. In dogs, paracetamol at low doses is metabolised to non-toxic metabolites, but these pathways become saturated in overdose, leading to metabolism by other pathways resulting in the production of toxic metabolites. Cats and ferrets lack the enzymes required for the safe metabolism of paracetamol and are therefore susceptible to lower doses. The characteristic picture of severe paracetamol poisoning is methaemoglobinaemia, cyanosis, anaemia and jaundice. Acetylcysteine is the antidote of choice in the management of paracetamol poisoning.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2016.21.10.576