The Effect of Ibuprofen on Dogs
When Fido is limping you naturally want him to be out of pain. Although you would take a couple ibuprofen to ease any inflammation or pain in your body, this medication can be deadly for dogs. Before giving your dog any over-the-counter medication, seek a vet's advice.
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Uses
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Ibuprofen is made from propionic acid and is used for short-term pain relief in humans. The non-steroidal pill is used as an anti-inflammatory pill. It is available in various strengths--both prescription and over the counter.
Poison
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The Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) reports toxicosis in dogs from ibuprofen often. Although a few cases derive from people giving their dogs ibuprofen for pain, most cases are from dogs chewing caps of the top of bottles and eating the pills.
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Ingestion
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Humans absorb 80 percent of ibuprofen into the blood stream and organs, while dogs absorb 60 to 86 percent of the pill. The pill should be taken with foods to prevent stomach pain upon absorption. This is why ibuprofen can cause kidney and stomach problems with dogs.
Toxicity
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When a dog consumes ibuprofen there are a variety of reactions that may occur. Vomiting and diarrhea are basic reactions. Acute renal failure, seizures, comas and death are also reactions a dog can have from eating ibuprofen. This poisoning is known as toxicity and can occur with as little as 8 mg of ibuprofen.
Treatment
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Some toxicity can be treated by vets. A dog may be administered activated charcoal while being closely observed. If it was a low dosage the dog ate, it may be treated with antacids. Each case is treated differently and based on the symptoms.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Ergün Ã--zsoy from Fotolia.com
