Aspirin Poisoning in Dogs

Aspirin is sometimes prescribed to dogs for treatment of osteoarthritis and as an aid to pain management. Some pets may experience side effects from long term use, which is why careful monitoring of your pet’s health is an essential part of veterinary care. There are instances of course, when your dog may be exposed to toxic amounts of aspirin accidentally, due to the inquisitive nature of canines. A dog’s powerful jaws can easily chew through a medication bottle, allowing for the ingestion of aspirin in doses that may lead to acute toxicity.

Symptoms will vary depending on the amount ingested, but if you see your dog consume aspirin or suspect that he may have, early treatment is imperative to a successful recovery. Symptoms of aspirin poisoning in dogs include:

• Hypernea (increased depth of breathing)
• Respiratory alkalosis (low levels of carbon monoxide in the blood)
• Loss of appetite
• Gastric irritation
• Depression
• Fever
• Metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the body)
• Liver necrosis
• Loss of coordination
• Black feces
• Seizure
• Collapse or coma

If your dog is receiving a daily dose of aspirin, a build up of aspirin may become a chronic overdose. Keeping the veterinarian informed through regular consultation is important if your dog is on a prescribed dose of ASA. Accidental ingestion may lead to acute toxicity, whereas emergency treatment is necessary. It is important to note that products such as Alka Seltzer and Pepto Bismol also contain aspirin, which may cause toxicity if your pet is exposed and consumes the product. Hundreds of over the counter products contain aspirin. If you suspect that your pet may have eaten medication of any kind, a veterinarian visit is crucial.

Symptoms of acute poisoning usually occur within four to six hours of ingestion but you should never wait for signs of toxicity to appear before taking your dog to the clinic. With aspirin poisoning, it is of paramount importance to focus on the severity of the toxicity. If possible, bring the aspirin or medication container with you to the veterinarian hospital or emergency clinic. Describe thoroughly the symptoms that your have noticed in your pet.

The veterinarian will take a blood sample to assess the cell counts in your pet’s blood. Clotting abilities, anemia and electrolyte abnormalities are all indicative to the severity of the overdose. Because aspirin is rapidly absorbed in the stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and internal hemorrhaging will give the veterinarian further indications of the diagnosis. Renal compromise and risk of convulsion are possible in severe cases of aspirin poisoning. Therefore, the veterinarian may also take a urine sample and perform an ultrasound.

Diagnosis and treatment of your dog by the veterinarian will be more successful with early intervention after intoxication. If your dog has been affected in the liver, kidneys or bone marrow, recovery is not always possible. Nonetheless, full recovery is fortunately the prognosis for most pets who have ingested toxic amounts of ASA.

The veterinarian will immediately begin fluid therapy to correct and regulate blood cell production, glucose, and electrolyte levels . If you have arrived at the clinic within two to three hours of your pet consuming the aspirin, the veterinarian may induce vomiting to eliminate the toxins from the stomach. Active charcoal, which aids in the absorption of toxins, may be used under strict monitoring. If your dog is unresponsive, gastric lavage (pumping out the stomach to remove contents) will be done to decontaminate and clean the stomach. Gastrointestinal protectants, which will neutralize the stomach acids, will be administered and medication may be given to help with the reversal and repair of any organ damage that may have taken place.

The goal of the veterinarian, when dealing with aspirin poisoning in dogs, is to decontaminate your pet’s system and minimize further toxicant absorption. Elimination of the toxins is essential to the full recovery of your pet. With normal use, aspirin is eliminated from the body in approximately seven hours. With an acute toxicity, a hospital stay of two to several days may be required to monitor your pet’s recovery. Full recovery is possible (unless there has been severe damage to the liver and kidneys) with prompt aggressive treatment, and follow up care that may involve medication to restore the stomach lining.