Your 12 kg Beagle, Buddy, chewed open a bottle of 200 mg ibuprofen tablets. You count the remaining pills—he likely ate 10–15 tablets. That's 2000–3000 mg. He seems fine now. Is this dangerous?
Warning: Ibuprofen is highly toxic to dogs. Doses > 100 mg/kg can cause gastric ulceration, renal failure, and CNS signs. At 167–250 mg/kg, Buddy is at significant risk. Seek veterinary care immediately. Decontamination within 2 hours is most effective.
NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX), reducing prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins protect gastric mucosa and maintain renal blood flow. Inhibition causes ulceration and renal ischemia. The Toxicology Specialist advises: Ibuprofen toxicosis—induce vomiting if within 2 hr, activated charcoal, gastroprotectants, IV fluids. Monitor renal function.
Decontamination: emesis if recent, activated charcoal. Supportive: IV fluids, gastroprotectants (omeprazole, sucralfate), antiemetics. The Emergency Drug Calculator provides dosing. The Bloodwork OCR helps monitor BUN, creatinine. Monitor for vomiting, melena, oliguria.
Use Toxicology Specialist, Emergency Drug Calculator, and Bloodwork OCR for NSAID toxicosis.
- Ibuprofen is toxic to dogs—never give OTC NSAIDs.
- Dose > 100 mg/kg = significant risk of ulcers and renal failure.
- Decontamination within 2 hours—emesis, activated charcoal.
- Gastroprotectants and IV fluids—supportive care is essential.
- Monitor renal function for 48–72 hours.