![]() |
Can you give a dog Tylenol?In: Dog Health, Tylenol, Aspirin, Painkillers
[Edit categories]
|
Answer
I can't believe the two answers below. No, you can NOT give your dog tylenol. Tylenol is FATAL to dogs. My dog is currently at an Animal Hospital in ICU because of ingestion of Tylenol (he got into a bottle) and they said theres a chance he dies in 3-5 days from now - and all he needed to ingest were 3 or more 500 mg tablets (he is 30lbs for anyone to use as a guideline). They vets have a formula that determines the toxicity in dogs - and usually its only a pill or two to become toxic for the dogs. See below for the effects (including death). DO NOT EVER ADMINISTER YOUR DOG TYLENOL WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH YOUR VET. If your dog has ingested tylenol, call up Poison Control - they will give you a case number (which you will need later on at the vet or ER for them to treat him) and then go to your vet or Animal ER for treatment as soon as possible. It takes 5-6 hours from the time of ingestion to move through the stomach into the intestines - and you want to catch it before it moves to the intestines so they can make your dog throw up the pills. If you do NOT know when they were ingested, the approach to help the dog is usually more aggressive.
These include:
- Hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells
- Formation of Heinz bodies, which are defects in red cells that cause them to be removed from circulation sooner than normal
- Formation of methemoglobin, a non-functional type of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen. When methemoglobin is formed, red blood cells cannot carry oxygen and the cat has difficulty breathing.
What to Watch For
The symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity develop in stages. Symptoms may occur more quickly or slowly depending on the amount ingested.
- Stage 1 (0-12 hours). Symptoms include vomiting, dullness, difficulty breathing, development of brown-colored gums (instead of a normal pink color) and drooling.
- Stage 2 (12-24 hours). Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips and limbs, uncoordinated movements, [[AWT\140|convulsions]], coma and potential death.
- Stage 3 (more than 24 hours). Symptoms are associated with liver failure and include a painful belly, jaundice (yellow tinge to gums, eyes and skin) and an inappropriate mental state.
Answer
You "can," however it can have fatal complications (fatal for the dog, that is) if your pet is overdosed, is on certain other medications, or has an underlying medical issue. Animals do not handle the drug the same way people do and are much more sensitive to its effects. Complications of using Tylenol in pets include liver damage and oxidative damage to red blood cells (so they stop carrying oxygen).
See your vet; occasionally they will recommend a small dose of Tylenol for dogs. However, there are now safer pain medications for use in dogs.
Answer
Any over-the-counter pain reliever has the potential of killing your dog or making him really sick. If your pet is ill enough to need pain medication, its worth a call to your veterinarian to be sure you won't make things worse. If you think an animal has gotten into these medications call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
I work at a vet clinic, and NEVER have they even suggested someone give a dog tylenol.
There are various responses for giving your dog human Tylenol. You can give a dog human Tylenol but I would not recommend it. Animals have different reactions to human medications which can sometimes prove fatal. The only over the counter human medication I would recommend giving a pet is Benadryl for something like a bee sting allergy.
On the safe side, I'd say no.
Refer to the related links for more.
First answer by Ardrihounds. Last edit by Mgedenfield. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 49 [recommend question]
- What non prescription pain relief is suitable for dogs?
- What is wrong with your dog when it seems distressed and panting. Started when weather was hot but is now cool and dog has access to water and cool air?
- What otc medicine can you give your dog to relax them during fireworks?
- Your dog is breathing fast can this be because of the fireworks?



