Paracetamol is toxic to cats
Cats are usually very careful about what they put in their mouths, but as a cat owner, it's still good to know that their environment may contain dangerous medicines, plants, and substances. It's difficult to always keep track of what our cats are doing, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. However, it's important to be aware that some things should be avoided entirely, as accidental ingestion could lead to serious poisoning. Knowing what can be life-threatening for our cats can make all the difference.
It's not uncommon to think you can give pain relief intended for humans to your pets, but human medicines can be extremely harmful to cats. Never give them any medication without a prescription from a vet.
Medicines like Alvedon and Panodil, commonly used by people, contain paracetamol. Cats lack the necessary enzyme to break down this substance, meaning they can become very ill very quickly if they ingest it. Paracetamol destroys red blood cells and affects the cat's oxygenation. The illness can progress rapidly from the moment of ingestion. In severe cases, this can lead to death, sometimes within 24 hours of the cat ingesting the toxic substance..Other consequences of a cat ingesting medicationcan include kidney and liver damage that may not be detected immediately or might be too late to treat. If you suspect your cat has ingested Alvedon, take them to the vet immediately. Sadly, if a cat has been poisoned, the prognosis for recovery is often poor, as even very small doses of paracetamol are extremely harmful.
Symptoms of poisoning in cats can be vague and hard to spot. Often, the cat becomes very tired and may have pale mucous membranes. Other symptoms can include vomiting. To know for sure if your cat has been poisoned, you should see a vet urgently. If you know what your cat has ingested, take the packaging to the vet so they can quickly assess the situation.
Certain medications can induce vomiting in a cat, which a vet may use to reduce the absorption of the toxic substance. We recommend you always go to the vet urgently if you suspect your cat has been poisoned. Never try to induce vomiting in your cat using salt, as this could lead to salt poisoning instead.
