Tylenol® Intoxication

Your cat has swallowed Tylenol. What can happen?

Tylenol® is very dangerous for cats. It can even be deadly. However, they are a number of symptoms that develop before getting to that point:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased salivation
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weakness and lethargy
  • Difficult and rapid breathing
  • Dark urine
  • Swelling of the face and paws.
  • Unconsciousness

These symptoms begin 1 to 4 hours following the ingestion of Tylenol®.

What can be done?

Your cat's life is in danger and must be brought to the veterinarian immediately! 

Detoxification:

A veterinarian can first try to induce vomiting if the Tylenol® was ingested less than 2 hours prior. Vomiting cannot be induced if more than 2 hours have passed, as the Tylenol® will already be absorbed in the blood stream.

Another treatment that the veterinarian can administer is activated charcoal. This black liquid inhibits the toxins present in the stomach from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Antidote:

The antidote for Tylenol® is acetylcystene. It is intravenously injected multiple times. 

Other treatments: 

  • Antacids: These products are used to reduce acidity in the stomach and prevent ulcers from forming;
  • Intravenous fluids: They're used to rehydrate the patient; 
  • Oxygen: It is given if the cat has difficulty breathing;
  • Blood transfusions: This might be required if the red blood cell count is too low; 
  • Medication to help the liver recover if it has been damaged. 

Will he be ok?

Thankfully, the cat can fully recover if the treatment is administered quickly. Unfortunately, his chance of survival is low if symptoms are present. These can last a day or two, and the pet can die as late as 36 hours after having ingested the Tylenol®.

It is also very worrisome to see damages to the liver appear 12 to 48 hours later. It is possible that it might never completely recover, even if the cat survives.

What you need to remember

There is no safe dosage of Tylenol® that is safe for cats. Therefore, it must never be given to them!

If ever your cat swallowed it, contact our establishments immediately.

Updated in January 2020