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June 12, 2007

Pet Food News - ASPCA Warns of Acetominophen Poisoning in Cats

by Ferdinand T Cat

We subscribe to the cat newsletter produced by Dr. Jon of PetPlace.com. Today, we received a warning taken from an ASPCA press release about acetaminophen contamination in pet foods.

Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain medication originally distributed under the name Tylenol. It originally billed itself as an alternative to aspirin that did less damage to the stomach, but it was not until aspirin was linked to Reyes Syndrome that acetaminophen became the human pain-killer of choice.

Unfortunately, acetaminophen in even a small dose can be fatal to cats. In humans, much of the drug is metabolized by the liver, so that only a small portion actually makes it into the bloodstream. Cats do not have the enzyme that does the breakdown, so even the tiniest amount qualifies as an overdose. Instead of producing a pain-reducing effect, acetaminophen in cats damages the red cells, literally suffocating the cat.

The ASPCA press release did not give any details about which products were contaminated, which I find quite frankly terrifying. Until we know more, be alert to the following symptoms:

  • Swelling of the face and paws
  • Depression
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty in breathing

If you see these symptoms, call your vet immediately. The warning in the ASPCA press release is vague enough to be a false alarm, but it could just as easily be the tip of the iceberg.

Respectfully submitted,

Ferdinand T. Cat


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