How Aspirin Affects CatsĪspirin toxicity causes a range of toxic effects in cats. Rarely, a cat may consume medication that is left unattended and within reach. The most common cause of poisoning with Aspirin in cats is when an owner gives the medication to their pet, making it especially important that people are informed that this is not a drug that is safe to be used in the treatment of cats. Aspirin toxicity can follow from a single dose of Aspirin, at doses as low as 10mg/kg which would be safe in other species. This makes cats highly vulnerable to toxicity from Aspirin compared to other species. The poor metabolism of aspirin means that its half-life is longer in cats than in other species (24 – 48 hours). The low level of this enzyme is the reason why cats are also very vulnerable to poisonings by other common over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol). This means that the drug cannot be metabolised as quickly in cats as it is in other species. Cats only have low levels of the enzyme glucuronyl transferase, which is needed to produce these conjugates. More recently, it has also been used for its anti-platelet activity in some patients, to reduce the risk of blood clots in certain situations.Īspirin is metabolised in most species by conversion to inactive compounds that are then excreted by conjugation with sulfate and glucuronide. About Aspirin Poisoning In CatsĪspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which is widely used as an over-the-counter medication in humans for its analgesic (pain relieving), antipyretic (fever reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties. Home Remedies: Inducing vomiting, however, this is often unsuccessful in cats when tried at home.Īspirin may be the active ingredient in a number of human over-the-counter pain-relievers and there are other medications known as salicylates that are related to aspirin.

Aspirin poisoning antidote