Is it safe to give dogs acetaminophen? Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol or Tylenol, is a drug that initially was thought to produce its analgesic effects by inhibiting the enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. However, there is a substantial amount of research showing that acetaminophen is not a “traditional” NSAID medication. Acetaminophen has activity against the enzyme COX-3, which is predominantly found in the brain and the spinal cord. Therefore, it is targeting the pain pathway at a more central location. There are also many other mechanisms by which acetaminophen is postulated to work, such as by helping the body produce its own hormones that help with pain control (for example, serotonin). Dogs that cannot tolerate traditional NSAIDs may be good candidates for acetaminophen. There are also formulations of acetaminophen that are combined with codeine (called APAP/codeine), and this is a medication that can be used for post-operative pain control. Our options for oral pain medications in dogs are quite limited, but acetaminophen should not be overlooked. Friendly reminder: Do not EVER give your dog over the counter medications without consulting a veterinarian! Acetaminophen is not safe in cats at ANY DOSE! It is highly toxic to them. Vet med friends, are you using acetaminophen? Why or why not? #emergencyvetmed #vetmed #ervet #petcare #petparent #ervetmed #ervettech #vettechtok #vetstudent #