Panadol is the brand name of a form of medicine called paracetamol. This human-formulated medicine is designed to serve as a pain reliever (or, analgesic) and as a fever reducer. It is highly effective in humans and has a potent capability, causing it to be available over the counter only.
Many people assume that this medicine will be equally effective for pets. However, Panadol is extremely dangerous for dogs and should never be administered to a dog in any dosage. Read on for a brief overview of why this is the case and some information about alternative medicines.
Dangers of Panadol
Panadol fnctions like aspirin in a human's body. In a pet's body, both of these two drugs will cause a variety of potentially very serious and even fatal side effects. The danger of Panadol to a dog is that it causes the blood to thin out. While a certain degree of thinning is manageable, it is very difficult to control the level that occurs when your pet is given Panadol (and no thinning is desirable under most circumstances). Therefore, it's quite easy for a pet's blood to become too thin, which prevents it from circulating through his body properly. When this happens, it may cause a host of side effects, including death.
There are a number of other potential dangers to giving your dog Panadol as well. They include the following:
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Liver damage
- Ulcers
- Lesions and tears of the esophagus
For these reasons and more, it is crucial that you never give your pet any Panadol. It is generally best to avoid giving your pet any human medicines unless specifically authorized and directed to by your veterinarian.
Alternatives to Panadol
One of the best types of medicines to give to a dog that is suffering from a variety of types of pain is the NSAID, or non steroidal anti inflammatory drug. NSAIDS are often specially formulated for use in dogs and provide relief from inflammation, which is both a cause of and a symptom of other types of pain in a variety of issues. The best diseases and conditions to treat with NSAIDs are those that affect the bones and joints, including arthritis and other joint problems. However, NSAIDs are also effective at helping to ease your dog's pain given a number of other potential situations as well.
For more serious and acute pain, steroid based drugs are popular. These drugs carry a range of side effects, but none of them is as dangerous to your pet as a medicine like Panadol. Steroids can help to provide a greater amount of pain relief for your pet. however, they're not designed to be used for extended periods of time, as they can be more likely to cause health problems if they are. For more information about steroids, NSAIDs, and any other type of medication that may help your dog to feel better if he is injured or otherwise in pain, speak with your veterinarian for additional recommendations.