Paracetamol, the active ingredient found in common medications like Doliprane and Efferalgan, is a widely-used anti-inflammatory agent in human medicine, renowned for alleviating pain and reducing fever. Because it’s so readily available without a prescription, it’s a staple in many household medicine cabinets. This accessibility often leads dog owners to wonder: Can I give paracetamol to my dog if he’s feverish or in pain?
Paracetamol: A Toxic Medication for Dogs
For humans, paracetamol use rarely results in poisoning, except in cases of overdose. This is thanks to special liver enzymes that metabolize the drug, breaking it down into a substance that’s easily eliminated in the urine.
This is not the case for dogs.
A dog’s system lacks the necessary liver enzymes to process paracetamol. As a result, the drug can accumulate in liver cells and cause severe cellular damage.
Even more concerning: paracetamol ingestion can trigger hemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells. This happens because the drug changes hemoglobin in the blood into methemoglobin, which can’t transport oxygen to the body’s tissues. The outcome? In some cases, this leads to hypoxemia and eventually hypoxia—conditions often fatal for dogs.
This destruction of red blood cells also releases bile and hemoglobin into tissue, causing a visible yellowish tint. Paracetamol is toxic to dogs—even at doses far lower than what’s safe for humans. The toxic threshold for dogs is only 100 mg/kg of body weight.
To put that into perspective: if your dog swallows a 500 mg tablet, or worse, a 1000 mg tablet, that’s a dangerously high dose for a small 5 kg dog.
I Gave Doliprane to My Dog: What Should I Do?
If your dog has ingested Doliprane—whether intentionally or by accident—you should see a veterinarian immediately, even if there aren’t any obvious signs of poisoning yet.
Depending on what symptoms are present and how severe the intoxication appears, the veterinarian may induce vomiting and start IV fluid therapy. In certain cases, an antidote will be administered, often N-acetylcysteine—sometimes in combination with vitamin C to counteract methemoglobin formation.
Getting your dog prompt veterinary attention after Doliprane ingestion dramatically increases the chances of a successful recovery.
Symptoms of Paracetamol Poisoning in Dogs
Typically, paracetamol toxicity symptoms manifest within 1 to 12 hours after ingestion. The most common indicators include:
- Generalized weakness and loss of appetite
- Digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Cardiac and respiratory problems (labored breathing)
- Pale or brown gums
- Presence of hemoglobin in the urine (hemoglobinuria), with abnormal urine color
How to Relieve Fever and Pain in Dogs Without Doliprane
If your dog is suffering from fever or pain, never give them medication intended for humans or other animals.
For example, never give your dog medicine prescribed for cats. Your dog requires treatments specifically tailored to their physiology and needs.
In situations like these, the best course of action is to consult a veterinarian. Only a qualified vet can diagnose the underlying cause of your dog’s symptoms and provide the proper treatment to help them recover safely.today.
