Ibuprofen is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever in humans. However, it can be extremely dangerous and even fatal if given to dogs. Ibuprofen poisoning is one of the most common toxicities seen in dogs. Even small doses can cause severe problems in canines. So is ibuprofen poisonous to dogs? The short answer is yes, ibuprofen is highly toxic and can be fatal if dogs ingest it.
How Ibuprofen Affects Dogs
Ibuprofen is an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are chemicals produced in the body that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. By reducing prostaglandins, ibuprofen provides pain relief and helps lower fever. However, prostaglandins also play an important role in maintaining normal kidney function. Ibuprofen disrupts prostaglandin production in dog kidneys, reducing blood flow. This leads to acute kidney injury, causing damage and even kidney failure.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to ibuprofen toxicity. The toxic dose is much lower in dogs compared to humans. Just 50-100 mg of ibuprofen per pound of body weight can be toxic in dogs. For reference, the recommended dose of ibuprofen for a human adult is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours. For a 50 pound dog, ingesting just two to four 200 mg tablets can result in poisoning.
Symptoms of Ibuprofen Poisoning in Dogs
Some common symptoms of ibuprofen toxicity in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or black tarry stools
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or depression
- Increased drinking and urination
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or wobbliness
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
These signs often develop within 4 to 24 hours of ingestion. Immediate veterinary care is essential for the best chance of recovery and survival.
Diagnosing Ibuprofen Toxicity
If ibuprofen ingestion is witnessed or suspected, the veterinarian will begin by confirming exposure. They will ask about the dog’s access to ibuprofen, any possible ingestion, and timing.
To diagnose ibuprofen toxicity, the vet will perform a physical exam, look for symptoms, and run diagnostic tests including:
- Complete blood count (CBC) – checks for anemia and signs of infection
- Biochemistry profile – analyzes kidney values, electrolytes, and more
- Urinalysis – checks for blood, protein, and cellular casts indicating kidney damage
- Coagulation tests – ibuprofen can affect blood clotting
These test results along with clinical signs are used to confirm ibuprofen poisoning and determine severity.
Treating Ibuprofen Toxicity
The main treatment goals are to prevent further ibuprofen absorption, reduce kidney damage, and manage symptoms. Steps include:
Inducing Vomiting
If ingestion was recent within the last 2 hours, the vet may induce vomiting to eliminate any remaining ibuprofen before it’s absorbed. This can be done by giving oral hydrogen peroxide.
Gastric Lavage
For ingestions within the last 4-6 hours, gastric lavage (stomach pumping) may be performed to wash out any undissolved pills before they dissolve and are absorbed.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a treatment that binds to ibuprofen in the digestive tract to prevent absorption into the bloodstream. Multiple doses are often given.
Intravenous Fluids
IV fluids help flush toxins out of the body and provide kidney support by maintaining adequate fluid levels and circulation.
Kidney Function Monitoring
The vet will monitor kidney values, electrolytes, and urine output closely to optimize kidney function. Dialysis may be necessary in severe kidney failure.
Anti-Nausea Medication
Medications like metoclopramide or ondansetron can control vomiting and gastrointestinal upset.
Blood Pressure Support
Blood pressure medication may be given since ibuprofen can cause hypotension. Fluid therapy also helps maintain blood pressure.
Other Symptomatic and Supportive Care
Seizures, pain, anemia, blood clotting issues, tremors and other clinical signs are managed with appropriate medications and therapy.
Recovery and Prognosis
With aggressive veterinary treatment, the prognosis for ibuprofen poisoning can be good if treated promptly. However, large ingestions and delayed treatment lead to a poorer outlook.
Dogs often start to improve within 24-48 hours of starting treatment. Kidney function can take 48-72 hours to recover. With quick treatment, many dogs recover completely without any long lasting kidney damage.
However, severe kidney failure that requires prolonged treatment or dialysis can have a guarded prognosis. Permanent kidney damage is possible. And in cases of substantial overdoses, the damage may be untreatable and fatal.
Preventing Ibuprofen Poisoning
Since even small doses can be extremely toxic, preventative measures are essential:
- Keep all medications safely out of reach of pets
- Never give any human medications to pets without veterinary approval
- Make sure everyone in the household knows which human meds are dangerous
- Properly discard old or expired medications rather than flushing them
- Carefully follow all dosage directions and never exceed recommended amounts
- Never leave loose pills in bags or containers accessible to pets
- Seek immediate veterinary treatment if ingestion is suspected
Taking steps to prevent access and being vigilant about medication safety is key to avoiding tragic accidents. Alert others about the extreme toxicity of ibuprofen in dogs as well. If ingestion does occur, prompt veterinary treatment gives dogs the best chances for recovery.
Conclusion
Ibuprofen is highly poisonous and toxic to dogs, even in relatively small doses. It can cause severe, irreversible kidney damage that can be fatal without quick veterinary treatment. Prevent dogs from ever being exposed to ibuprofen by keeping all medications safely out of reach. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if ingestion occurs. While ibuprofen provides pain relief for humans, it should never be given to dogs due to potentially devastating effects on their kidneys and health. With prompt treatment, many dogs fully recover, but prevention is the absolute best way to avoid this common canine toxicity.