Research article · 2025 · Full text
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal HusbandrySuccessful management of acetaminophen toxicity in a cat
Volume 10(1) · Pages 206–207 · DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i1d.2020 ↗
Research areasDrug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and ProtectionAntibiotics Pharmacokinetics and EfficacyLiver Disease and Transplantation
Abstract
Author-writtenAcetaminophen, a widely utilized analgesic and antipyretic in humans, poses a significant toxicological threat to felines, despite its efficacy in humans. In most mammals, acetaminophen undergoes hepatic biotransformation into non-toxic compounds via glucuronidation and sulfation, followed by renal elimination. However, cats exhibit exceptional sensitivity to acetaminophen's toxic effects due to their unique hepatic metabolism, characterized by a diminished capacity for glucuronide conjugation. A 2-month-old female cat was presented with symptoms of anorexia and pyrexia, and the owner reported administering 125 mg of acetaminophen suspension earlier that morning. Within 2 hours of ingestion, the cat developed facial swelling, prompting a diagnosis of acetaminophen toxicity based on the history and clinical presentation. The cat was subsequently treated with N-acetylcysteine and supportive care, leading to a successful and uneventful recovery. The case will be discussed in detail.
Summary
Source-checkedPlain-language reading of the full paper, prepared with AI and checked against the text. Each point links to the authors' own words.
Why it matters
- Acetaminophen is a common human pain and fever medication that is highly toxic to cats. View evidence ↗
- Cats are especially sensitive to this drug because their livers have a limited ability to perform glucuronide conjugation, a key part of how the drug is processed. View evidence ↗
- There is no known safe dose of acetaminophen for cats, meaning even small amounts can be fatal. View evidence ↗
The question
- The study describes the clinical management and recovery of a 2-month-old female cat that ingested 125 mg of acetaminophen. View evidence ↗
What they did
- Initial clinical examination of the cat showed dehydration, a rectal temperature of 101.8°F, SPO2 of 97%, a respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 140 beats per minute. View evidence ↗
- For home care, the owner was instructed to give oral N-acetyl cysteine (70 mg/kg twice daily) and Amoxicillin-Clavulonate (12.5 mg/kg twice daily) for 7 days. View evidence ↗
What they found
- The cat developed facial edema within 2 hours of ingesting the acetaminophen. View evidence ↗
- By the second day of treatment, the cat's facial swelling decreased and its hydration improved. View evidence ↗
- By the third day, the facial swelling had completely disappeared and hydration had returned to normal. View evidence ↗
- The cat recovered fully without further complications. View evidence ↗
What it means
- The authors conclude that early recognition and prompt treatment are essential for improving survival and prognosis in cats with acetaminophen toxicity. View evidence ↗
Visual summary
1 visualsIllustrations explain the paper; they do not show study data.
Metabolic Difference
AI-generated conceptual illustration (domestic cat liver). It explains the idea and does not show study data.
View source evidence ↗Figures & tables
From the original paper
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Figure 3Introduction
Case History and Treatment A two-month old female domestic shorthaired cat was presented with signs of anorexia and dullness (Fig.1a) The owner reported that the cat was anorectic and dull for the past 2 days and had administered 125 mg paracetamol to the cat for pyrexia. Within 2 hours of administration of paracetamol, the animal started showing facial edema (Figure 1b). On clinical examination, the animal was dehydrated, conjunctival mucous membranes were pink and moist, lymph Nodes were in normal size, rectal temperature was 101.8°F, SPO2 was 97%, Respiratory rate was 20 breaths per minute and heart rate was 140 beats per minute. Whole blood sample was collected for complete blood count which revealed mild leucocytosis (White Blood Cell count- 17900/cmm) with neutrophilia (84%).
Serum sample was subjected to liver function tests and the parameters were within the normal range. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed normal study. From the history, clinical signs and diagnostic investigations, it was clear that the cat was suffering from acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicity (Allen, 2003) [1]. On Day 1, the cat was treated with Injection DNS (Dextrose Normal Saline) at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight intravenously, Injection N-acetyl cysteine at a dose of 140 mg/kg body weight intravenously, Injection Amoxicillin-Cloxacillin at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously, Injection Pantoprazole at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight intravenously and Injection Ascorbic acid-0.25 ml intravenously.
On Day 2, the facial swelling has reduced (Figure 2) and the cat’s hydration status has improved. The cat was treated with Injection DNS (Dextrose Normal Saline) at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight intravenously, Injection N-acetyl cysteine at a dose of 110 mg/kg body weight intravenously, Injection Amoxicillin-Cloxacillin at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg body weight intravenously, Injection Pantoprazole at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight intravenously and Injection Ascorbic acid-0.25 ml intravenously. On day 3, there was no facial swelling (Figure 3) and the hydration status of the cat has normalised. VET 2025; 10(1): 206-207 David Karunyakaran H M.V.Sc Scholar, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Gowri B Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Aravindh G Undergraduate Student, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Thirumoorthy M Undergraduate Student, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Vijayabhaskar G Undergraduate Student, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Srinath AA Undergraduate Student, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India David Karunyakaran H M.V.Sc Scholar, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India https://www.veterinarypaper.com Hence the owner was advised to administer Tablet.
N-acetyl cysteine at a dose of 70 mg/kg twice a day orally for 7 days, and Suspension. Amoxicillin-Clavulonate at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg body weight twice orally for 7 days. The cat had an uneventful recovery.
Discussion
Acetaminophen toxicity represents a prevalent and potentially life-threatening concern in veterinary medicine, particularly in cats and dogs, often resulting from unintentional ingestion by pets or misguided administration by well-intentioned owners. (Finco et al., 1975) [3]. Notably, cats are especially susceptible to acetaminophen toxicity due to the absence of a safe therapeutic dose, rendering even minimal exposures potentially catastrophic. (Aronson and Drobatz, 1996) [4]. In contrast, canine tolerance to acetaminophen is relatively higher, but still risky (Caloni et al., 2014) [2], underscoring the importance for vigilant pet owners and prompt veterinary intervention to mitigate the devastating consequences of acetaminophen toxicity in both species. Fig1a: Cat with acetaminophen toxicity Fig 1b: The cat with facial edema (Day 1) Fig 3: Normalization facial edema (Day 3)
Conclusion
Early presentation, prompt recognition, timely intervention and treatment of acetaminophen toxicity in felines, are essential to treat cats suffering from acetaminophen toxicity, thereby optimizing the chances of survival and providing a favourable prognosis. Conflict of Interest Not available Financial Support Not available Reference 1. Allen AL. The diagnosis of acetaminophen toxicosis in a cat.
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Conventional treatment for genital warts: A review. J Dermatol Treat. 2019;30(7):680-690. How to Cite This Article Karunyakaran DH, Gowri B, Aravindh G, Thirumoorthy M, Vijayabhaskar G, Srinath AA. Successful management of acetaminophen toxicity in a cat.
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry. 2025;10(1):206-207. Creative Commons (CC) License This is an open-access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. Fig 2: Improvement in facial edema (Day 2)