Patterns of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Ingestion in Cats and Dogs

• Published in: Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 46; no. 5; p. 385
• Main Authors: Monaghan, JE, Sutton, N M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2008
• ISSN: 1556-3650

Objective: Some veterinary analgesics (e.g. carprofen) are specifically formulated to make them palatable for dogs and cats, and this occasionally leads to animals actively seeking them out Comparing patterns of ingestion of paracetamol and ibuprofen preparations intended for human use may demonstrate if palatability influences frequency and severity of poisoning in cats and dogs. Methods: A retrospective search of the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) database was undertaken. Data was taken from case data regarding canine and feline exposures to ibuprofen or paracetamol from 1992 to 2007. Results: 4376 cases of canine exposure to analgesics were examined. Of these, 69% concerned ingesrion of ibuprofen, while only 31% concerned exposure to paracetamol. 249 feline cases of exposure to analgesics were identified. 68% of these calls were regarding paracetamol and 32% concerned ibuprofen. In dogs, multiple tablet ingestion is common, 81% of cases concerning ibuprofen and 76% concerning paracetamol regarded exposures of more than one tablet. In only 9.3% of feline cases, cats had ingested large amounts (defined as over 400 mg). Conclusion: Greater awareness of ibuprofen poisoning to dogs and paracetamol poisoning in cats may affect the number of cases reported to the VPIS. Dogs do not appear to find ibuprofen preparations significantly more palatable. Multiple tablet ingestions are common in both exposures to ibuprofen and paracetamol. Similarly, cases of feline ingestion do not imply a preference for either tablet. However, large ingestions of both paracetamol and ibuprofen are not frequently reported in cats.