Paracetamol Poisoning in Cats

No matter how uncomfortable your feline friend may seem, be it a sore paw or cuts and scrapes they’ve gained while out adventuring, you should not give them any paracetamol. Even in small amounts, paracetamol is extremely toxic to cats and can do a significant amount of harm without so much as swallowing a whole tablet. Any medicine that contains paracetamol including many fly and cold medicines should also be kept secure and out of the way to avoid your curious kitten coming into contact with it.

When we take paracetamol, our body works to break down the medication which helps to block the pain receptors in the brain thus acting to dull any pain. Cats don’t have the necessary enzymes to break down paracetamol and use it in this way so when a cat swallows a painkiller like paracetamol, it will slowly dissolve in their digestive system where it instead forms into dangerous compounds that they can’t properly use.

Paracetamol causes two very dangerous things to happen to cats when it is ingested. It has an impact on red blood cells which means it can’t properly carry oxygen while it travels through the body so it doesn’t get transported around the vital areas it needs to be. Organs and tissues can become oxygen-starved and struggle to function properly. Paracetamol can also cause severe liver damage in cats which can lead to both long term issues or can even be fatal.

Cats that have ingested paracetamol will show signs of poisoning between one and four hours after ingesting the medication. It takes some time to start to dissolve as their digestive system will try to break it down. The toxicity of paracetamol will show symptoms that align with your furry friend struggling to apply their organs and tissues with adequate oxygen. Signs of paracetamol poisoning in cats include:

Their gums may start by going pale but if this goes unnoticed they may turn a blue colour because of the lack of oxygen before starting to go brown. Their skin starts to yellow when jaundice occurs which is a key symptom of liver failure. Once symptoms get to this point it can be difficult to help them recover. The faster you can get your feline friend medical treatment, the better their chances are of survival.

Cats that ingest paracetamol should see a vet immediately. Even a small amount of the medication can cause toxicity so it’s vital you get them to the vet if you suspect they may have paracetamol poisoning. If they receive treatment within the first few hours, there is a chance that your vet can treat them with few to no side effects. Once the body starts to break down the paracetamol, you’re going to see symptoms but with treatment and support, they can still make a full recovery.

Treatment of paracetamol poisoning will depend on how long ago it was ingested. Some cats can be treated quickly if they get to the vet before even showing symptoms. Vets will use charcoal to help induce vomiting which can remove any of the toxins from their body before they even get a chance to start breaking it down. Once they start showing symptoms, charcoal can be used still to limit the amount that is in their system but they may need some supportive treatment to treat further symptoms of poisoning.

They will often be given fluids to keep them hydrated, this is given beneath the skin or intravenously. They can be given extra oxygen to support the body or even a blood transfusion to help get oxygen circulating through their organs once again. Vets can use acetylcysteine to block any further breakdown of the toxins in the body and they may receive vitamin C to protect the liver from damage.

Even with veterinary treatment, once cats start showing symptoms of poisoning, it can still be fatal, even with treatment, so timing really is key to making a full recovery.

If you ever think your cat is in pain, you can try a few things at home like keeping them indoors to help them rest and recover. You can also apply a warm or a cold compress to any strains they might have but as far as treating their pain goes, you should take them to the vet for professional treatment of their pain symptoms. A vet will be able to locate the cause of the pain and give you a treatment plan. Any suspected poisoning should never be treated at home and they should always receive medical attention.

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