Acetaminophen
Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Potentially moderate to severe
Common signs to watch for:
- Lethargy
- Swelling of the face and/or paws
- Difficulty breathing
- Brown or blue gums
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Jaundice
Acetaminophen is a popular over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic medication and is also present in some prescription pain medications. Pet owners should be on the lookout for acetaminophen in products labeled for “cold and flu symptoms”, “allergies”, and “fever.” While this drug is safe for human use, it has a narrower margin of safety in dogs and especially cats. Cats have a decreased ability to metabolize acetaminophen in their liver, making them much more susceptible to poisoning than most other species.
Poison type: Medications
Alternate names: Tylenol, paracetamol, APAP, Percocet, Panadol, Excedrin, Feverall
