Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, has beneficial effects including anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. However, it can also be toxic. Once ingested, aspirin forms salicylic acid, which is then distributed throughout the body.
Dog owners must therefore follow their veterinarians orders strictly if they use aspirin for any reason.
The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
One of the first noticeable signs is loss of appetite. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal hemorrhage brought on by ulceration in the stomach and small intestines. The central nervous system is affected and the dog may have trouble walking, appear weak and uncoordinated, or even collapse. Loss of consciousness and sudden death can also occur.
Since nontoxic levels can produce these symptoms, owners should monitor for any digestive problems or change in behavior when giving their dog aspirin for any medical reason. If a significant amount of aspirin is ingested, emergency treatment is necessary.
If you know or suspect your dog has ingested aspirin, diagnostic tests should focus on the severity of the toxicity. A blood sample will be taken to assess cell counts and serum chemistries. Usually the dog is anemic and has electrolyte abnormalities. Additional blood may also be taken to assess its clotting ability.
Dogs treated within 12 hours with limited signs of distress can have the concentration of aspirin in the body decreased through a prescribed treatment of decontamination. The sooner this care begins, the better. The veterinarian may also recommend you to induce vomiting at home before coming to the clinic for treatment. By inducing vomiting, or pumping the stomach (gastric lavage), the veterinarian will remove as much aspirin as possible. Activated charcoal may be given after vomiting to absorb the aspirin.
Medications that encourage healing or protect the gastrointestinal lining are also generally prescribed. Depending on the dogs status, fluids and other supportive treatments may be necessary. Hospitalization and repeated blood analysis is often necessary until the dog is stable.
Aspirin has several clinical uses. It can be prescribed as a pain reliever, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-platelet agent, and for lowering body temperature. If aspirin is used for a chronic condition, such as to prevent a blockage of the blood vessel (arterial thromboembolism), it is important to follow the veterinarian’s directions, and reducing or discontinuing the aspirin dosage may be necessary if the dog is susceptible to toxicity.
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Better known as aspirin, salicylic acid is an over-the-counter drug used to manage various types of pain in humans. Like other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances, this chemical can be deadly to dogs. While aspirin is prescribed to some dogs in small doses, pet owners should never give their pup this medicine without consulting with a medical professional first.
If you believe your dog has swallowed aspirin meant for human consumption, or if he may have overdosed on prescription medicine, take him to an emergency clinic immediately. Every second counts when it comes to expunging pharmaceutical toxins. Your vet may use a stomach pump or administer substances to induce vomiting to rid your dog of any undigested pills remaining in his stomach. He may use fluid therapy to reduce the concentration of the toxin in your dogs bloodstream to mitigate the ongoing effects and relieve the impact on internal organs.
The symptoms of aspirin toxicity are often recognizable, but difficult to diagnose accurately without medical training and specialized equipment. A disinterest in food is often the first sign of poisoning in dogs. It may go unnoticed until more severe signs emerge, according to Waccamaw Regional Veterinary Center in Conway, South Carolina. Salicylic acid soaks through your dogs stomach and intestines, so an overdose can damage the sensitive lining and cause internal bleeding. This may disrupt your pets digestive processes, causing vomiting or diarrhea. The chemical can spread throughout your dogs body quickly, causing breathing problems and muscle weakness. Seizures, tremors and other alarming symptoms also can occur in the hours after an overdose.
Salicylic acid usually is pressed into tablet form and distributed by the bottle, although it also can take the form of a topical ointment. One of the advantages of aspirin is its fast absorption rate through the digestive tract, with effects that begin within 30 minutes to 3 hours in dogs, according to The Merck Veterinary Manual. Unfortunately, this also means that the impact of a toxic overdose can start in less than an hour after ingestion. This leaves pet owners with little time to spare when seeking emergency treatment for a poisoned animal.
Preventing aspiring poisoning is preferable to treatment, for you and your dog alike. Keep all medicine bottles, even over-the-counter treatments, away from both pets and children. Childproof lids arent necessarily teeth-proof, so dont give your dog a chance to chew through the bottle when you are out of the house. Only give your pet aspirin that is prescribed by a veterinarian. Pay close attention to the labels before administering medication to pets or family members.
Is salicylic acid poisonous to dogs?
However, it can also be toxic. Once ingested, aspirin forms salicylic acid, which is then distributed throughout the body. Dog owners must therefore follow their veterinarian’s orders strictly if they use aspirin for any reason. The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats.
What causes aspirin poisoning?
Aspirin and other NSAIDs act by blocking certain chemical processes in the body that cause inflammation. Unfortunately, these chemical processes are also important in maintaining normal gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, and blood clotting functions.
FAQ
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