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Many of us keep aspirin around the house. It’s good to have on hand when you’re not feeling good. But what happens if you drop a pill on the floor? If your dog’s around, he may snarf it up before you can holler! Accidents can happen! But what happens if a dog eats aspirin?
Has your dog eaten aspirin? Are you worried the aspirin will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about aspirin and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Aspirin?
Aspirin is an OTC medication used to relieve minor pains, aches, and fevers. The medicine is available at almost any store, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and more.
This medicine is an anti-inflammatory that contains a compound called salicylate. Salicylate is a natural compound found in plants, such as the willow tree and myrtle. Humans have been using these plants to treat pain and fevers for over 4000 years!
While aspirin is safe for humans (when used correctly), what about dogs? Can aspirin make a dog sick?
Aspirin & Dogs
Unfortunately, aspirin can be toxic for dogs. Aspirin poisoning may happen with just one dose or with repeated doses. The medication can also cause problems with other medical diseases involving clotting disorders, kidney & liver disease, and more. In addition, dogs already taking steroids or other NSAIDs also run an increased risk of poisoning.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Aspirin Poisoning in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten aspirin:
- Gastrointestinal irritation
- Ulceration (bleeding in the stomach and intestines)
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting (may contain blood)
- Diarrhea
- Dark, tarry stools
- Pale gums
- Weakness
- Depression
- Organ damage
- Fevers
- Tremors
- Coma
- And more
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Be sure to let the vet know how much aspirin is in each pill and about how many pills the dog has eaten. The vet also needs to know about what time this happened.
There’s no antidote for aspirin poisoning; however, early decontamination can save a dog’s life. The vet may use different ways to remove the toxins from the dog’s system. After that, there’s a good chance your fur baby may need to be hospitalized.
The good news is that dogs who receive prompt medical treatment have the best chance of making a full recovery.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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