Tylenol is one of the most common over-the-counter drugs found in American households. However, it is very toxic to dogs and even worse for cats. If you suspect a dog has ingested some Tylenol there are symptoms to watch out for.
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Stage 1
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In the first 12 hours, the symptoms include vomiting, dullness and difficulty breathing. The dog's gums may also turn from a healthy pink to a brown color.
Stage 2
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In the next 12 hours, the face and limbs could swell up and the dog's movements could become uncoordinated. Depending on how much Tylenol was ingested, the result could be convulsions, coma or death.
Stage 3
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After 24 hours, the dog's liver may shut down which would result in a painful belly, jaundice (a yellow tinge to the skin, eyes and gums) and an unusual mental state.
Treatment
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Like most drug overdoses, the sooner the dog is treated, the greater are its chances of recovery. Treatment options include administering charcoal, which absorbs the Tylenol left in the stomach to prevent further absorption of the drug, administering Vitamin C which helps to get rid of the Tylenol and administering drugs that will prevent further damage of the liver, like Tagamet.
Prevention
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Never give your dog Tylenol. Also, make sure that no pills are left in bottles thrown in the trash that a dog can get into and that no pills are left on the floor if a bottle is spilled.
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