Panado For Pooches: Safe Or Not?

Panado, also known as paracetamol, is a common pain reliever for humans that can be purchased over the counter. While it can be useful for managing pain in dogs, it is important to note that it can be toxic and even fatal for dogs if given in high doses or without veterinary approval. Paracetamol toxicity can cause irreversible liver damage, red blood cell damage, and breathing difficulties in dogs. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog and to carefully follow their instructions.

Panado toxicity symptoms

Panado, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen, is toxic to dogs and can be fatal even in small amounts. The toxicity of this drug can cause severe damage to the liver and red blood cells. It is important to never give your dog Panado without first consulting a veterinarian.

Signs of Panado toxicity in dogs may develop within 4 to 12 hours of ingestion and can include the following:

• Weakness or depression
• Rapid breathing
• High heart rate
• Panting
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting or drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Bluish discolouration of mucous membranes, such as the gums or tissue around the eyes
• Swelling in the face, neck, paws, or forelimbs
• Dark urine
• Yellow discolouration of the eyes or skin
• Enlarged abdomen
• Increased drinking and urination
• Discoloured faeces
• Staggering
• Restlessness
• Blood in the stool or urine

If you suspect your dog has ingested Panado, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. Early decontamination and treatment are crucial in reducing the risk of serious poisoning. The veterinarian may induce vomiting if the ingestion occurred within 15 to 20 minutes. Once vomiting is controlled, medical-grade activated charcoal may be administered to reduce the absorption of Panado by the gastrointestinal tract. Hospitalization and further treatment, such as fluids and medication, may be required depending on the ingested dose.

Safe pain relief for dogs

If your dog is in pain, it's important to visit your veterinarian to find out what's wrong. They will recommend medication based on your dog's health history and what's going on with them.

Do not give human painkillers to dogs. Human painkillers can be toxic or fatal to dogs, even in small doses. This includes common medications like paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen), ibuprofen, and aspirin. Paracetamol, for example, can cause irreversible liver damage, damage to red blood cells, and breathing difficulties in dogs.

There are several painkilling drugs that have been designed specifically for dogs, and these are far safer and more effective than drugs intended for humans.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are usually safe for dogs and can help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. There are some NSAIDs just for dogs, including Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl), Deracoxib (Deramaxx), Firocoxib (Previcox), and Grapiprant (Galliprant). NSAIDs usually have few side effects, but in some cases, they can cause or worsen kidney, liver, or digestive problems.

Your vet may also talk to you about gabapentin or tramadol. Gabapentin treats pain from damaged nerves in dogs and may make your dog sleepy for the first few days. Tramadol is a painkiller that works partly like other mild opioid medications and is sometimes given to aging dogs with constant discomfort.

Veterinarians give stronger opiates only for a short while, and they usually don't prescribe steroids for pain because of their serious side effects.

Supplements, like glucosamine and chondroitin, are very popular alternative treatments. It’s not clear if they help, but some research has found that they may make swelling go down and help cartilage repair itself. They also may help protect and lubricate existing cartilage.

Always talk to your vet before giving your dog any medications, including supplements, and follow their instructions carefully.

Paracetamol dosage for dogs

While it is imperative to consult a vet before giving your dog any medication, paracetamol can be given to dogs in certain circumstances. However, it is important to note that human paracetamol can be highly toxic to dogs if they are given too high a dose.

When determining a safe paracetamol dosage for dogs, vets consider the dog's body weight, age, overall health, and the severity of the pain or discomfort they're experiencing. Any underlying conditions, such as liver disease, are also taken into account as they can amplify the risks associated with paracetamol.

A common dosage prescribed by vets is 10 to 15 mg per kilogram of the dog's weight, usually given twice a day. However, this is just a rough guide, and the dosage may vary depending on the dog's individual needs. It is crucial to follow the vet's prescribed dosage meticulously to avoid causing problems with the dog's red blood cells and liver.

If you suspect your dog has accidentally ingested paracetamol, it is important to contact your vet immediately. Signs of paracetamol toxicity in dogs include sedation, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, and in severe cases, even death.

Human medication dangers for dogs

Human medications can be extremely dangerous for dogs. Even common and effective medications for humans can be highly toxic for dogs, and even a single pill can cause serious harm or even death. It is imperative that dog owners do not administer any human medication to their dogs without first consulting a vet.

Ibuprofen and Naproxen

Ibuprofen and naproxen are common medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans. However, they should never be given to dogs or cats. These drugs can be toxic to dogs, and even a single 200mg ibuprofen tablet can be toxic to a small dog or a cat. Toxic effects can occur rapidly and cause serious illness, including damage to the kidneys and stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea with blood, excessive thirst, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is a popular painkiller for humans and can be given to dogs in specific doses. However, it can be highly toxic or even fatal to small animals, especially cats. Paracetamol causes severe damage to the liver and red blood cells. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets to suffer toxic effects, while a single 250mg tablet could be fatal for a cat.

Aspirin

Aspirin should not be administered to puppies or cats. Young dogs lack the enzymes to process aspirin, and most cats are also intolerant. While vets sometimes prescribe aspirin for mild to moderate pain, it should only be given under veterinary supervision. A high dose of aspirin can cause severe side effects in dogs, such as vomiting, a racing heart rate, and kidney failure. Even small doses can cause stomach ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining. An aspirin overdose can result in salicylate poisoning, leading to haemorrhage, seizures, coma, and death.

Other Human Medications

Other common human medications that can be dangerous or toxic for dogs include:

• Antidepressants: High doses can lead to neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors, seizures, and elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
• ADD/ADHD medications: These contain potent stimulants that can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperature, and heart problems in dogs.
• Sleep aids: These can cause lethargy, intoxication, slowed breathing, and agitation in dogs.
• Blood pressure medications: These can cause weakness, stumbling, and dangerously low blood pressure in dogs.

Veterinary-approved painkillers for dogs

If you suspect your dog is in pain, it's important to consult a veterinarian. They can help diagnose the cause of your dog's pain and recommend a course of treatment.

While you may be tempted to give your dog human painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, this is not advised and can be dangerous. Human painkillers can be toxic to dogs, even in small doses, and can cause serious health issues or even death.

There are several veterinary-approved painkillers that can be prescribed by a veterinarian to help manage your dog's pain. These include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These are commonly used to treat acute and chronic pain in dogs and can help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Examples of NSAIDs for dogs include carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), firocoxib (Previcox), and grapiprant (Galliprant). NSAIDs are generally safe for dogs, but in some cases, they can cause or worsen kidney, liver, or digestive problems.
• Corticosteroids: These work similarly to NSAIDs by blocking inflammation pathways in the body. Examples include prednisone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone.
• Opioids: These block pain receptors in the brain and act quickly. The FDA has approved two opioids for dogs: buprenorphine and butorphanol. Tramadol is another opioid that may be prescribed for off-label use.
• Alpha-2 antagonists: This type of drug blocks neurotransmitters in the brain and is administered via injection. Examples include medetomidine and dexmedetomidine.
• Local anesthetics: These provide targeted pain relief by blocking nerve transmission at the injection site.
• Gabapentin: This medication treats pain from damaged nerves and may cause sleepiness in dogs for the first few days.
• Tramadol: This is a mild opioid that can be administered orally and may cause side effects such as an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and dizziness.

It's important to note that you should always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog, including supplements. They can determine the appropriate medication and dosage based on your dog's specific needs and health history.

Frequently asked questions