My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog Paracetamol - What Now?
Paracetamol, as well as combination medicines like Pardale V, are regularly prescribed for dogs for relief of pain. Especially as many forms of paracetamol are available over the counter, many ask why they need a prescription for the same medicine reformulated for animals. Here we will explore why vets prescribe paracetamol, how much is safe for your dog, and why pet owners should not give paracetamol to their dog except on a vet’s advice.
Veterinary Prescriber - My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog ParacetamolWhy Do Vets Prescribe Paracetamol?
Paracetamol is a painkiller you're doubtlessly familiar with - at least when it comes to its common use by humans. It's sometimes prescribed by vets for dogs to manage pain in various conditions.
Always use paracetamol responsibly, and only ever under direct veterinary guidance. The precise dosage your veterinarian prescribes is determined by your dog's weight, age, and overall health condition. It's crucial not to exceed this recommended dosage. Be sure to alert your vet straight away if any side effects occur you're worried about.
Veterinary Prescriber - My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog ParacetamolWhy Vets Sometimes Prescribe Paracetamol Products Designed for Humans
Occasionally a vet will prescribe a product for an animal that is a licensed human medicine. They only do this when there is no suitable veterinary licensed product available for the particular animal. They do this under a risk-based framework called the veterinary prescribing cascade.
The Veterinary Cascade
The 'veterinary cascade' is a process that allows vets to find a medicine to treat a specific animal when there is no suitable veterinary licensed product available. In situations where worried owners have said "my vet told me to give my dog paracetamol", it's likely due to the absence of a suitable veterinary-specific medicine.
You can read more about how the veterinary cascade works here.
There is only one veterinary licensed formulation of paracetamol in the UK - Pardale-V, but this contains codeine as well as paracetamol. A vet may decide to prescribe paracetamol for your dog but might judge that the combination of paracetamol plus codeine is not suitable for the particular dog. You could be puzzled about why your vet, despite advising you to give paracetamol to your dog, didn't recommend the easily accessible over-the-counter version meant for humans. The reason for this is legal. It is against the law (Veterinary Medicines Regulations) for someone to give a human medicine to an animal unless it has been prescribed for a vet.
Veterinary Prescriber - My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog ParacetamolWhy you should not give a dog paracetamol without a vet’s advice
It is crucial that a dog gets the right dose of paracetamol - too much will be toxic. A vet will need to prescribe the dose that is safe for your dog. Also, some human formulations contain other substances, like caffeine or ibuprofen or the sweetener xylitol (in liquid formulations), that could be deadly or severely harmful to your pet. As always - consult your vet before giving any medication to your pet. Never give paracetamol to a cat. Paracetamol is highly toxic to cats, even in small doses.
Veterinary Prescriber - My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog ParacetamolHow to Know if Paracetamol is Right for Your Dog
The decision to prescribe paracetamol to your dog hinges on a thorough veterinary assessment. If your furry friend suffers from persistent pain or if alternative pain control methods have proven ineffective, your vet might opt to prescribe paracetamol.
Paracetamol isn't the right fit for all dogs. Dogs grappling with severe health issues such as liver disease typically should avoid this medication, as the active agent could worsen their condition..
Veterinary Prescriber - My Vet Told Me to Give My Dog ParacetamolA Final Word on Paracetamol and Your Dog
Paracetamol can be a useful medicine for managing your dog's pain when used appropriately and under the guidance of a veterinarian. However, it's not without its risks, and it's crucial to never give human paracetamol products to your dog unless prescribed by a vet. Always closely follow your vet's dosage instructions.
If you have more questions or concerns like “why my vet told me to give my dog paracetamol”, you can read more from the Dog’s Trust or Vets Now about the safety and efficacy of paracetamol for dogs.
For more information about paracetamol in dogs, you can read our blog posts about paracetamol dosage charts or go into more depth about paracetamol for dogs side effects you should look out for.