When you think of Aspirin, you think of a very common medication that is found in a lot of homes; almost every one has heard of Aspirin, and many of us have had to take one.

It is a commonly found household medication that many people take as they please for minor aches and pains.  However, vets tell us that this is not a safe solution for your cat.  Although cats can be safely treated with Aspirin under veterinary supervision, it is not recommended to ever give your cat Aspirin without prior approval from your veterinarian.

Aspirin has a very long half-life in cats—meaning that it is present in the body in its active form for a long time--much longer than in humans or dogs.  Cats are also much smaller than humans; therefore, a safe dose for us can be very dangerous for a cat.

Aspirin is readily absorbed from the intestines in cats and may cause damage to the intestinal lining.  This can lead to ulcers and bleeding into the intestinal tract.  Signs of Aspirin toxicity include vomiting, weakness, fever, and eventual coma and death.  To make sure your can does not accidentally consume Aspirin, we need to make sure medications are not in easy reach or access—for instance, don’t leave a few pills just lying around—cats are known to be curious.  If, however, your cat ingests Aspirin and you notice any of the signs, notify your veterinarian immediately!  If treated within a few hours of ingestion, most cats will have a good chance of recovering.  Treatment will usually consist of IV fluids, and giving charcoal to your cat to bind the excess drug.  The veterinarian may also need to give the cat something so that she vomits to clear her stomach of excess Aspirin. 

To prevent a possible toxicity in your cat, never administer any medications of any kind without previous instructions from your veterinarian!! If you are in doubt about whether a certain drug is safe for your cat, call your veterinarian's office and ask! Never just assume that a drug that is safe for you will be safe for your cat!  (Many of the aforementioned points came from an Animal Hospital...)

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