Aspirin Poisoning in Dogs

Aspirin poisoning in dogs can be fatal. Never give your dog aspirin without veterinary supervision. However, should you decide to give your dog aspirin without first consulting a veterinarian, it's important to recognize the symptoms of aspirin poisoning.

  1. Significance

    • It can be deadly to give aspirin to your dog. You should only do so under strict supervision by a veterinarian, according to petmd.com.

    Considerations

    • To lessen the danger, a proper dosage schedule must be followed, according to vetinfo.com, which is why you should never give your dog aspirin without discussing it with a veterinarian.

    Dosage

    • According to vetinfo.com, the suggested dosage is 5 mg to 10 mg per pound per 12-hour period. So, a 5-lb. dog would need just 25 mg to 50 mg of aspirin. To put things in perspective, a baby aspirin is 80 mg. This is why it is so easy for a dog--especially a small one--to overdose.

    Symptoms

    • When a dog is suffering from aspirin poisoning, it may exhibit one or all of the following symptoms, according to vetinfo.com: "panting, vomiting, vomiting blood, depression, anxiety, lethargy, black stools, diarrhea, lighter urine, pale gums, loss of appetite, extreme thirst and spontaneous bleeding."

    Warning

    • If you believe your dog is suffering from aspirin poisoning, seek veterinary attention immediately. Remember, the easiest way to avoid this tragedy is to never give your dog aspirin without veterinary supervision.