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Just How Dangerous Is Acetaminophen to Pets?

No one needs to tell Beth Tucker of Syracuse, NY, how harmful
acetaminophen can be to pets. In February 2006, Beth's cat, Scooter,
ingested a 500-milligran acetaminophen tablet that had been
accidentally dropped on the floor.

Despite treatments by a local veterinarian, the beautiful grey cat
did not recover. "She suffered tremendously for five days as we tried
to save her," says Beth. "We finally made the extremely painful
decision to end her suffering."

Sadly, Scooter is one of many cats to have succumbed to accidental
acetaminophen poisoning. In 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center (APCC) handled close to 300 cases from around the country.
Explains the APCC's Dana Farbman, "Depending on the amount ingested,
clinical effects can include a condition called methemoglobinemia,
which affects blood cells' ability to carry oxygen to vital organs."
In addition, liver damage and even death could result. And because
cats lack a specific enzyme that enables the body to metabolize the
drug well, they are especially sensitive to acetaminophen toxicity—
although it can be toxic to dogs and other pets, as well. Cautions
Farbman, "Pet owners should never give this medication to their
animals, and should always store potentially poisonous substances in
a secure cabinet above countertop level and out of the reach of pets."

Beth and her family continue to miss Scooter every day. "She was the
most loving kitty in the world," says Beth. "And every evening at
5:00 P.M., if you were anywhere near the kitchen, you could count on
Scooter meowing for her nightly treat." Beth hopes that by sharing
Scooter's experience, she can help others avoid having to go through
the anguish she suffered by losing her feline friend. "I feel that
telling what happened to Scooter will help make something positive
come out of our tremendous loss."

If you think that your pet has accidentally ingested acetaminophen,
or any other potentially dangerous substance, call your veterinarian
or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at
(888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet
poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc

Posted on SHARE Yahoo page - Aug. 4, 2006