Key Takeaways:
- Dogs are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.
- If you know or suspect that your dog ate Tylenol, try to determine how much he ingested and contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Tylenol can cause damage to red blood cells and the liver.
- Early treatment usually leads to a good prognosis and recovery.
Our canine companions are curious by nature, and they use their mouths to explore their world. Unfortunately, that means they sometimes ingest harmful substances. If your dog snarfs a Tylenol capsule, what should you do?
Dogs are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. If they consume a capsule or other medication containing Tylenol that’s intended for humans, immediately call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline and follow their instructions. This is an emergency situation.
Below, we’ll explain why and how Tylenol is dangerous for dogs and what you should do if your dog eats some.
How Much Tylenol is Toxic to Dogs?
The toxic dose of Tylenol for dogs is about 100 mg/kg. Even one regular-strength Tylenol tablet or caplet is enough to poison a small dog. However, lower doses can still cause liver damage or interfere with red blood cells ability to bind and transport oxygen.
Occasionally, veterinarians may prescribe lower doses of acetaminophen for pain and inflammation in some dogs. However, you should never attempt to calculate a safe dosage for your dog. Only administer medications containing this drug under veterinary supervision. Repeated doses can have an accumulating effect, and the safe dosage can be affected by your dog’s overall health.
A single dose of regular-strength Tylenol for humans can be enough to poison small dogs. Lower doses can also cause your dog problem, and the drug has cumulative effects. Never attempt to give your dog acetaminophen without veterinary approval and supervision.
What should I do if my dog ate Tylenol?
If you find your dog swallowing medications that contain Tylenol, check the container for the dosage and try to determine how many pills he ate. Then, immediately call the pet poison helpline or your veterinarian.
Be prepared to answer questions including your dog’s age, breed, and weight. Your veterinarian will want to know when your dog ingested the Tylenol, how much he ate, whether the medicine had other ingredients, and if your dog is showing any symptoms such as panting, vomiting, or drooling.
If your dog ate Tylenol, try to determine how much he ingested and call your veterinarian immediately. Be ready to answer questions about your dog and the medications he ate.
What Should I Do Immediately If I Suspect My Dog Has Been Poisoned by Tylenol
Tylenol products made for humans have doses that are dangerously high for dogs. Because canines are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, one human dose can be toxic or deadly to smaller breeds. However, when our furbabies find a bottle of pills, they’re not likely to stop at one.
If you notice an open container and suspect your dog ate Tylenol, call your veterinarian and report what you found along with your observations. If your dog is showing signs of Tylenol poisoning, including rapid breathing or panting, excessive thirst, depression, vomiting, and drooling, take him to the vet immediately and try to save a sample of the vomit for testing.
If you suspect your dog ate Tylenol, immediately call your veterinarian and share your observations. Take your furbaby to the doctor if you notice any signs of poisoning.
What if my dog ate plenty of Tylenol but seems fine?
Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of illness when you first discover or suspect he ate Tylenol, you must take immediate action. Human products have higher amounts of acetaminophen than dogs can tolerate, especially if they eat several pills or doses of medicine. Early intervention can help to reduce or prevent damage and improve your dog’s prognosis.
Tylenol is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Although it only takes about 30-60 minutes before acetaminophen reaches peak levels in the blood, symptoms may not surface at that point. If the drug affects red blood cells, signs usually manifest 4-12 hours after ingestion. It may take several days to discern symptoms of liver damage.
Take immediate action as soon as you know your dog ate Tylenol. The drug reaches peak blood levels within about an hour, but symptoms may not surface for days or hours depending on how it affects your pooch.
Signs that my dog got Tylenol poisoning
The signs of Tylenol poisoning can vary depending on how the active ingredient reacts with your dog’s body. The most common effects of the drug in canines are anemia and liver damage. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Panting
- Increased heart rate
- Lethargy or depression
- Excessive thirst
- Dark or brownish-colored urine
- Blue or brown gums and mucous membranes
- Hypothermia
- Collapse
- Death
The signs of Tylenol poisoning vary depending on the effects of the drug on your dog’s body. Symptoms may include vomiting, loss of appetite, panting, and lethargy.
Why Is Tylenol Toxic to Dogs?
Dog bodies have a different mechanism for metabolizing Tylenol than humans. When acetaminophen enters the bloodstream it’s usually broken down in the liver. Unfortunately, the primary metabolite is toxic.
While human systems can further process the metabolite, dogs don’t have the same capability, so the substance remains toxic. The metabolite may bind to red blood cells and alter the hemoglobin so that it can’t carry oxygen. More commonly in dogs, the toxin binds to liver cells, causing damage and necrosis. Large enough doses result in liver failure.
Dogs cannot neutralize the toxin created when the liver metabolizes acetaminophen. The poisonous metabolite either binds to red blood cells and interferes with oxygen transport or causes liver damage.
How do vets treat Tylenol poisoning?
Treatment for Tylenol poisoning depends on how recently your dog ingested the medicine. If he ate products containing acetaminophen within 1-2 hours, your veterinarian will probably start by inducing vomiting to evacuate your dog’s stomach contents and remove any traces of acetaminophen.
If your dog’s case is severe, your veterinarian may administer N-acetylcysteine, an antidote to acetaminophen, and fluids to help the body process the toxins more quickly. Liver protectants and vitamin C may also be administered if needed.
To treat Tylenol poisoning, veterinarians usually start by inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal to reduce the exposure. If the dose is high or your dog has a severe case of toxicosis, your vet may give him an antidote and medications to protect the liver.
How long is the recovery?
The recovery period varies depending on various factors, including the severity of the toxicosis, how soon your dog received treatment and your dog’s age and health status. As long as your furbaby receives care soon after ingesting Tylenol, he’ll probably recover fully with appropriate treatment.
Dogs that ingest Tylenol usually suffer from liver damage. Your veterinarian may need to monitor liver enzymes for several days or weeks after treatment is complete. Most dogs will also receive liver-protecting drugs for several weeks. If your furbaby receives delayed treatment, he may have permanent liver damage and require lifelong treatment.
The time for recovery varies depending on the toxic dose, severity of toxicosis, and other factors. Dogs that receive early treatment usually recover fully.
The Final Woof
If your dog ate Tylenol, take immediate action. Try to determine how much he ingested and call your veterinarian. Dogs are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, and human-sized doses can cause damage to blood cells or the liver. Don’t wait to see if your dog acts sick. It can take several hours to days before you notice symptoms. With early treatment, most dogs will fully recover but may require follow-up care and treatment for several weeks.
