Darvocet is a prescription pain medication that is not approved for canines or other veterinarian uses. Ingestion of even a small dose of Darvocet by a canine can lead to serious illness or death.
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Darvocet
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Darvocet is an analgesic (pain reducer) from the the opioid (narcotic) family used to treat mild to moderate pain in people. The drug combines two active ingredients, which include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and propoxyphene (opioid). The potency of Darvocet is approximately two-thirds that of codeine.
Dangers
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A study was done by the FDA to determine what levels of propoxyphene could result in canine fatality. The study concluded that although both napsylate salt and hydrochloride propoxyphene were found to be toxic to man's best friend, napsylate salt was less so than the hydrochloride because of insolubility and inefficient absorption of the napsylate salt. The other active compound of Darvocet, acetaminophen, is also toxic for canines at high levels. For example, a 50-pound dog would need to ingest around seven 500-mg tablets at once to suffer toxic effects.
Effect
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As with all opioids, propoxyphene is a depressant. With exposure, canines can experience a drop in blood pressure, lower heart rate and shallow breathing. At high enough doses, exposure to propoxyphene can and will result in cardiac arrest. Additionally, acetaminophen can cause destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) as well as severe liver failure.
Symptoms
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Be on the lookout for these symptoms: lethargy, shallow breathing, convulsive seizures, vomiting, brown or yellow gums, abnormal drooling, and swollen extremities, such as the face, limbs, or belly.
Precautions
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If you suspect your canine has ingested Darvocet, consider a visit to the veterinarian. Never give any of your pets any drug or compound without first consulting a doctor or veterinarian. Keep all prescription drugs in safe areas and in containers so canines can not get into them.
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