For many years, many scientists in the field of veterinary medicine have studied the effect of Paracetamol on cats. And modern doctors still managed to prove the detrimental effect of its active ingredient of the same name in the composition - paracetamol, the concentration of which in each tablet is 200 or 500 mg, on the condition of the internal organs of cats. The drug has a strong analgesic and antifever effect. And despite being well tolerated by people, Paracetamol is categorically not suitable for treating animals, in particular cats.
Composition and action
According to the official instructions, Paracetamol is an analgesic, antipyretic drug that does not have an anti-inflammatory effect, since it does not affect the production of prostaglandins in the body tissues and at the same time, the medicine does not change the water-salt balance and does not have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa. The drug quickly relieves toothache, joint pain and headaches, thanks to the active ingredient in its composition - paracetamol. And also the activity of Paracetamol extends to neuralgia, hyperthermia caused by vaccination, and a febrile state accompanying infectious pathologies.
Diagnostic criteria
History taking
A preliminary diagnosis is established based on a patient interview and medical history. If you suspect an overdose of paracetamol, the victim should ask the following questions:
- How many tablets were taken?
- What type of preparation?
- Were you using entero tablets or slow-acting drugs (delays release)?
- When did the reception take place? Was the drug taken all at once or in parts?
- Has the patient taken alcohol, drugs, or other paracetamol tablets?
- Did the patient vomit? Is there an attempt to vomit?
- Have you used activated carbon yourself?
Clinical data and symptoms
Paracetamol poisoning manifests itself in the form of characteristic symptoms.
1. Acute poisoning. The first few hours there are no clinical signs, no sedation. Decreased consciousness shortly after eating suggests mixed poisoning (alcohol, sleeping pills, codeine). Symptoms gradually begin to appear:
· Firstly, nausea and pain on palpation in the right hypochondrium.
· Later jaundice and decreased consciousness (hepatic coma).
· Kidney failure may develop.
2. Chronic poisoning. Occurs most often in chronic alcoholics or people with long-term use of paracetamol in the upper therapeutic range.
Manifests itself in the form of symptoms such as:
· Dehydration.
· Jaundice.
· Elevated levels of transaminases.
· Coagulopathy and hypoglycemia.
· 50% of these patients also develop acute tubular necrosis.
Blood gas and pH levels confirm the diagnosis and differentiate between mild and severe poisoning. For mixed poisoning or unknown agent, you should also check:
1. Salicylates and alcohols.
2. Other drugs or toxins.
3. Liver function tests. ALT increases approximately 12 hours after ingestion and peaks at 72 to 96 hours. Organ damage is defined as ALT > 1000 U/L.
4. Bilirubin, albumin and INR change within 24 hours after administration.
5. Kidney function tests: creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, phosphate.
If paracetamol poisoning is suspected and characteristic symptoms appear, the patient should be hospitalized in a medical facility.
Can I give it to a cat?
Medical studies have shown that in cats, even a minimal dose of Paracetamol can cause toxic symptoms, and for some it is even fatal. Therefore, the use of fever medication for cats is strictly contraindicated. Even 100 mg of the drug can poison a purr, because they have a limited ability to bind by glucuronic type, which cannot be said about most animal species in which paracetamol binds to glucuronic acid in the largest digestive gland and is excreted through the kidneys.
Giving “Paracetamol” to a kitten or older cat with a fever is extremely dangerous and, apart from poisoning the pet, you should not expect any other outcome from this medication.
Signs of poisoning
The first symptoms of poisoning may occur within 1-4 hours after the drug enters the body. The rate depends on body weight and the amount of medicine swallowed. A small kitten can die in 1-2 hours, an adult cat will live a little longer. Signs of poisoning:
- the pet experiences severe weakness, seeks solitude, refuses food and communication, and hides in a far corner;
- breathing becomes rapid and intermittent;
- severe vomiting may occur;
- urine becomes darker;
- swelling of the muzzle and front paws gradually begins;
- spasms and convulsions occur.
How does it affect the cat's body?
The drug negatively affects the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen.
If you give a cat Paracetamol tablets, its active component will provoke the following undesirable phenomena in the animal’s body:
- The ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen will decrease. As a result, oxygen starvation of the animal’s body will occur.
- The load on the myocardium will increase. As a result, the risk of developing cardiomyopathy increases significantly.
- Poisoning of the liver and kidneys will occur. Against the background of organ intoxication, irreversible processes of damage to liver tissue will occur, and kidney function will also be seriously impaired.
Prevention
Of course, the main preventative measure is to prevent your cat from accessing your first aid kit. A cat is a naturally curious animal, and it tries to explore its territory as much as possible. Therefore, your first aid kit should be in a place that is as inaccessible to your cat as possible.
If your cat needs pain medication, never use human medicine. Today, there is a large selection of veterinary pain medications for cats that are both highly effective and well tolerated.
Symptoms of intoxication
If the kitten has eaten a Paracetamol tablet, you must immediately take it to the veterinary clinic. The fact that a pet has been poisoned by this medicine will be indicated by the following negative effects:
- urge to vomit;
- hard breath;
- swelling of the muzzle and limbs;
- change in color of mucous membranes;
- drop in body temperature;
- coma;
- depression.
The drug is very toxic to the liver and often provokes the development of jaundice in the animal.
In addition, Paracetamol poisoning can cause jaundice due to severe damage to the liver tissue. When observing such symptoms in a cat, owners should not do any medical procedures on their own; it is better to take the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible, who will conduct a diagnostic study and then, based on its results, select the necessary treatment.
Preventive measures
You should avoid using the drug in cats, even in low doses, and carefully ensure that the animal cannot get to your home medicine cabinet and steal the medicine from it.
Remember that there are a large number of pain medications available on the veterinary market for cats that are well tolerated and work effectively when needed.
Avoid self-prescribing medications, especially those used in humane medicine.
(c) Veterinary center for the treatment and rehabilitation of animals “Zoostatus”. Varshavskoe highway, 125 building 1. tel. 8 (499) 372-27-37
What to do?
After the veterinarian confirms that the cat has been poisoned with Paracetamol tablets, treatment begins directly, which is based on the administration of hepatoprotectors, vitamin C, oxygen therapy and the administration of medications necessary to protect the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. In addition, in case of Paracetamol poisoning, cats are required to strictly monitor the acid-base and electrolyte balance of the blood, as well as control the animal’s body temperature. Treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. Once the victim is brought to the veterinary clinic in time, they begin to treat the purr with activated charcoal, which clears the gastrointestinal tract of paracetamol particles.
Next, the therapeutic regimen includes medications that neutralize and prevent the development of the toxic effect of the poisonous N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine. The specific antidote for Paracetamol is acetylcysteine. Prognosis for paracetamol intoxication in cats directly depends on the amount of medication taken and the time of initiation of detoxification therapy. However, veterinarians do not rule out death in animals even with the minimum dose of an antipyretic drug taken and treatment started in a timely manner. In each specific case, the outcome will depend on the response of the cat’s body to the measures taken.
What will a veterinarian do if a pet is poisoned?
The doctor’s actions will depend on how long ago the cat ate paracetamol. If possible, he will give him special liquid charcoal to try to prevent further absorption of the substance. Further treatment may include IV placement, other supportive care such as blood transfusions, and acetylcysteine to help prevent further toxicity. Unfortunately, if your pet has already shown signs of paracetamol poisoning, he may still die even with veterinary care.
Based on materials from www.vets4pets.com
Features of use by pregnant women
Pregnant women often complain of toothache. Most often, the cause is caries, which appears due to the fact that calcium in a woman’s body is directed to a greater extent towards the structure of the bone tissue of the unborn baby. This causes various problems, particularly with teeth.
Paracetamol is allowed to be taken by pregnant women, but precautions should be taken. The active substance can penetrate the placenta. The minimum dose of the medicine can be taken in the 2nd trimester, when the child’s organs are already formed.
Before taking it, you should consult your doctor. You can drink no more than 1 tablet per day. Repeated use may cause harm to the fetus.
What can I give my cat if she is in pain?
If you think your cat is in pain or not feeling well, you will need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible . This way, you can examine your cat and know how to handle it.
Only a veterinarian can prescribe pain medications that are safe for cats. This will depend on the type of illness and the characteristics of your pet. But never, under any circumstances, give your cat human medications (neither adults nor children).
In any case, the Veterinarian always decides what medicine to give your cat, how much and for how long you should administer it and how. . Never, under any circumstances, give your pet medication just because someone told you it was good, because you read it somewhere, or because you remember someone telling you it was a good idea.
No. If your pet is not feeling well or you think he is in some kind of pain, you will have to take him to the veterinarian and let the professional decide what medicine to give depending on the type of ailment your pet has. Don't decide for him.
Never give your cat medication without first consulting your veterinarian. . Only he will know how to tell us which one we can give him and in what dose.
Progress, complications and prognosis
To prevent subsequent accidents, the patient should be explained that medications, including over-the-counter medications, should be kept out of the reach of small children and that the recommended daily dose should not be exceeded.
Gradient
There are usually fewer or no symptoms for the first 24 hours before liver damage develops.
The following is possible:
· Up to 24 hours: nausea, vomiting, feeling of weakness, pallor and sweating (mainly in children and in severe poisoning).
· From 24 to 48 hours; possible: pain in the upper abdomen, tenderness on palpation over the liver, lethargy. Increased liver enzymes and oliguria.
· 72 to 96 hours: Liver enzymes reach maximum levels, bilirubin levels rise (jaundice), and INR increases. Gradual development of liver failure.
· 4 to 7 days: In fatal stages, liver coma develops with hypoglycemia, jaundice, coagulopathy, edema and renal failure.
· DIC and death from 4-5 days. In those who survive, liver damage lasts 5-9 days, with complete remission over the next 2-3 weeks.
Complications
Against the background of paracetamol poisoning, complications such as:
· Liver necrosis.
· The heart may also be affected.
· Acute renal failure.
Forecast
The dose taken indicates the risk of hepatotoxicity. Ingestion of >10 g poses a risk of liver damage. Prognosis in case of overdose without special treatment:
· 8% severe liver damage.
· 4% fatal liver damage.
· 1% acute renal failure.
People who abuse alcohol, use drugs, enzymes, or have eating disorders have an increased risk of liver damage. N-acetylcysteine completely counteracts poisoning if given within 8-10 hours of taking paracetamol, and improves prognosis if given after 8-10 hours.
Patients who survive the acute phase are at risk of permanent liver damage.
In what cases is it effective?
The drug has an effect in various febrile conditions associated with elevated temperature. Particularly effective for colds.
Paracetamol is able to cope with pain of varying intensity. It is often used for headaches and toothaches. Helps women with pain during menstruation.
The drug is allowed to be taken by pregnant women and babies from 3 months. For children there are baby candles and syrup. The product is often given to babies who are starting to cut their teeth.
