Can i give my dog paracetamol tablets?

Have you ever been in a situation where your furry best friend is down and out? Well, the first thing that comes to mind is making them feel better by giving them something we humans consume when we’re feeling ill. But can you give your dog paracetamol tablets? This article explores the dangers of feeding dogs paracetamol tablets and if it’s safe to do so.

What is Paracetamol?

Paracetamol is a medication widely used for pain relief and fever reduction in humans. It’s also known as acetaminophen or APAP (its acronym). It works by blocking certain chemicals produced by the body that cause inflammation, which leads to less sensitivity to pain. However, did you know that paracetamol isn’t suitable for all mammals due to differences in their metabolism abilities?

The Danger of Giving Your Dog Paracetamol

As an animal lover, seeing our pets suffer from ailments such as fever, pain or discomfort often drives us into DIY mode. We trust human medicine too much without taking into consideration its impact on animals’ health systems. Unfortunately, not everything we take can be given straight-up to our pets without adverse effects because they are different species with dissimilar metabolic processes compared to ours.

Dogs Metabolism vs Humans’

Dogs have unique DNA makeups which translate differently when it comes down how drugs interact with their internal system processes (biochemistry), especially since most drug administration dosages are calculated for humans only; despite this knowledge gap in how dogs metabolize human medicine properly has indeed advanced significantly over recent years

Canine Liver Problems

Did you know the liver plays an essential role in transforming foreign substances into compound components either eliminated through faeces or urine? Most drugs taken orally must pass through the liver before being absorbed into circulation via blood vessels. Dogs, unlike humans, have metabolic enzymes that don’t break down paracetamol effectively resulting in harmful substances accumulating quickly causing a breakdown of the liver and kidneys in extreme cases.

Overdose & Side Effects

Overdosing on medication is relatively easy with any medicine used for home treatment since most human drugs come with no guidelines nor specified dosages intended for canines. Symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea caused by increasing inflammation within the internal organs occur after quick accumulation of paracetamol which ultimately leads to death. Also when dogs consume an enormous amount of paracetamol unsuited for their bodies’ biochemical processes which could cause side effects such as:
– Depression
– Lethargy
– Rapid breathing
– Swollen tongue or lips

So What’s Safe To Give Your Dog?

Before administering any medication to your furry friends, always consult a veterinarian who will advise you according to your dog size and state because giving puppies Aspirin may be okay but not Advisable use beyond six months!. There are safe medications specifically designed for pets like Carprofen and Meloxicam, which relieve pain by reducing inflammation without risking kidney ducts through inducing an analgesic state slowly! They extensively tested before being marketed.
Table Courtesy: Canine Epilepsy

Drug Name Description
Carprofen This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) blocks COX enzyme activity responsible for pain
Meloxicam This is largely safer compared to other NSAIDS due to having fewer adverse health implications

In conclusion, while we often try our best efforts at treating our canine companions whenever they’re unwell, immediately seeking veterinary care remains essential. Ask questions about what treatments your pet can and cannot receive because mistakes with home treatments or misinterpreting medication instructions may end up hurting your dog resulting in further suffering. Remember, Just Say No to paracetamol administration if it’s not optimized for dogs, and always put safety as a top priority.

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