Aspirin Toxicity in Cats

Even small amounts can be fatal

Aspirin should never be given to a cat unless it is recommended and monitored closely by your veterinarian, and even than it should be done in very specific ways.

This drug is so dangerous to your cat that it can very rapidly lead to episodes of vomiting that will almost always be bloody, severe abdominal pain, increased respiratory rates, and acute kidney failure. If the dosage exceeds the toxic level and is repeated, it can also induce a coma in your cat which could rapidly cause their death.

This drug, considered safe for dogs, which is also incorrect, is one of the most toxic drugs your cat can be exposed to simply because your pet can not metabolize the ingredients. Since they cannot be metabolized, your pet can not excrete them from their system. It rapidly affects almost every organ in your cat’s body including bone marrow.

As dangerous as it is to cats, it is almost twice as dangerous to kittens, even in the simplest of forms.

It is extremely important to understand that aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid as well as salicylate, both of which are also found in other very familiar drugs that we use commonly. The other drug that you may give to your cat is Pepto Bismol, which is just as dangerous as aspirin.

Symptoms :

There are several symptoms that you can watch for with Aspirin toxicity in cats in the event that your cat has accidentally ingested it, or someone has given it to them and is not aware of how toxic it actually is.

The symptoms will start to appear in your cat within 4 to 6 hours and signals an acute overdose which is very common with any drugs that contain acetyl salicylic acid or salicylate. The early symptoms will be a very sudden bout of depression which is quickly followed by a complete loss of your cat’s appetite.

They then develop gastrointestinal symptoms that include vomiting that will include signs of blood, and well as very black stools. The next symptom of Aspirin toxicity in cats is usually respiratory problems that include your cat starting to pant.

Panting in cats should only occur if your cat has been severely frightened; if it occurs at any time other than that, something is terribly wrong with your cat.

If the aspirin toxicity in cats is severe enough and not identified and vomiting is not induced, your cat can easily show signs of an acute kidney failure because they are failing as a result of this toxicity.

The final symptom will be your cat losing total consciousness and falling into a coma. Once they reach this stage, there is very little hope.

Understanding the Severity:

To help to understanding exactly how severe these very toxic drugs are to your cat, it helps to understand exactly what levels you are dealing with.

Aspirin toxicity in cats occurs once they have taken more than 11 mg, or milligrams of its ingredients. There is a huge misconception that exists that it is not harmful to give your cat children’s aspirin, and it is exactly that, a misconception that could jeopardize you cat after only one dose as baby aspirin contains 81 mg. of the toxic ingredients.

Cutting the baby aspirin in half is still almost four times the toxic level that a cat can tolerate. One regular aspirin contains 325 mg. and an extra strength aspirin contains a whopping 500 mg.

And Pepto-Bismol is just as bad, as it contains over 300 mg of the chemical salicylate per tablet. One tablespoon of liquid is slightly less deadly, but not much as it contains 262 mg.

Even one half of either a baby aspirin or Pepto-Bismol tablet can so severely impact your cat that within 4 to 6 hours it has begun to stimulate your pets brain respiratory center to the point that they panting excessively. However, this small one half dosage of baby aspirin toxicity does not end there.

It also severely impacts your cat blood platelets which help to bind the blood and induces the clotting process. As a result of this overdose, spontaneous bleeding may also occur. If you suddenly see bruising appearing on your cat’s skin or on their gums, they have literally been poisoned.

Reaction time :

If your pet has suffered Aspirin toxicity in cats you will immediately need to seek assistance form a veterinarian and the quickest way is to call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center which is 1-8884ANI-HELP, or 1-888-426-4435. You can also call the Pet Poison Hotline number which is a 24 hour service throughout all of North America at 1-800-213-6680.

Almost without exception, they will advise you to immediately induce vomiting in your cat. There are several ways to do this, but the safest way is with Hydrogen peroxide.

Syrup of Ipecac is recommended by several people, but it should only be used if you are instructed specifically by a veterinarian as it in itself is very dangerous as well as toxic to your cat.

Hydrogen peroxide that is found in most any standard form is three percent strength, which is very safe and effective. Do not use hair color strength peroxide. The label on all regular three percent hydrogen peroxide says that it is toxic simply because it can induce vomiting. In this case, this is exactly what you want.

The dosage that you should use is one teaspoon per every ten pounds of body weight. The quickest and most effective way is to use an oral syringe and one teaspoon equals 5 cc or 5 ml. Once you have given your cat the solution, make them walk as they need to shake up the contents of their stomach. If by chance it does not work, it is safe to repeat a second time, but only if it is absolutely necessary.

Summary :

Aspirin toxicity in cats can be an accident, but in most every case it is the result of an owner or someone wanting to help a cat that is unaware of the sever implications of this deadly substance to cats.

Your veterinarian may at some point in your cat life administer aspirin as a treatment, but it will be in very small doses, enteric-coated, and given over a span of several days.

We all know how curious cats are and that bottle of aspirin that you may carry in your purse or briefcase may be too much for your cat to resist, and it can result in a tragic accident.

Natural Help for Aspirin Toxicity in Cats

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