What Is Pardale-V and What Does It Treat?
Pardale-V is a prescription painkiller for dogs, licensed for veterinary use in the United Kingdom. Each tablet is a combination product containing two active ingredients:
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) — 400 mg
- Codeine phosphate — 9 mg
These two work together. Paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever, acting mainly within the central nervous system. Codeine is a mild opioid that adds further pain relief. Combining them provides more effective relief than either ingredient alone at a modest dose.
Veterinarians prescribe Pardale-V for the short-term management of mild to moderate pain in dogs — for example after minor injuries, soft-tissue strains, dental work, or as part of a short course of post-procedure pain control. It is designed for short courses only.
It is important to understand what Pardale-V is *not*. It is not a substitute for human paracetamol tablets, and it is not something to improvise at home. Paracetamol has a narrow safety margin in dogs — too much causes severe, potentially fatal liver damage and damages red blood cells — and it is lethal to cats even in tiny amounts. Pardale-V exists precisely because it delivers paracetamol in a controlled, dog-specific dose. Use the calculator above to understand that dose, but Pardale-V must be prescribed and supervised by a veterinarian.
For related information, see PuppaDogs’ paracetamol dosage calculator for dogs and the guide to codeine for dogs.
How the Pardale-V Dosage Calculator Works
Pardale-V is dosed by body weight, in whole and quarter tablets. The calculator:
- Works out the number of tablets per dose (1 tablet per 12 kg).
- Shows how much paracetamol and codeine that delivers per dose and per day.
- Confirms the 8-hourly schedule and the 5-day maximum.
- Applies firm contraindication flags — Pardale-V must not be used in dogs with heart, liver or kidney disease, GI ulceration risk, or dehydration.
Enter your dog’s weight, tick any health considerations, then press Calculate Dose.
How Pardale-V Doses Are Calculated for Dogs
The Standard Dose
According to the product information, the dose of Pardale-V for dogs is:
One tablet per 12 kg of body weight, given every 8 hours (three times a day).
That works out to approximately 33 mg of paracetamol per kilogram per dose. Because the tablets are quarter-scored, they can be split into halves and quarters to match your dog’s weight reasonably closely.
The 5-Day Limit
This is one of the most important rules: Pardale-V should be given for a maximum of 5 days. It is a short-course medication. If your dog still needs pain relief after 5 days, that is a reason to return to your veterinarian for reassessment — not to continue the medication.
Weight-Band Guide
The product information groups dogs into broad bands:
- Small dogs (up to 6 kg): about ½ tablet every 8 hours
- Medium dogs (6–18 kg): about ½ to 1½ tablets every 8 hours
- Large dogs (18–42 kg): about 1½ to 3½ tablets every 8 hours
Pardale-V Dosage Chart for Dogs
This chart shows the per-dose tablet count and paracetamol amount, given every 8 hours. It is a reference only — your veterinarian’s prescription takes priority.
| Dog weight | Tablets per dose | Paracetamol per dose |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kg (13 lb) | ½ tablet | 200 mg |
| 12 kg (26 lb) | 1 tablet | 400 mg |
| 18 kg (40 lb) | 1½ tablets | 600 mg |
| 24 kg (53 lb) | 2 tablets | 800 mg |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 2½ tablets | 1,000 mg |
| 36 kg (79 lb) | 3 tablets | 1,200 mg |
| 42 kg (93 lb) | 3½ tablets | 1,400 mg |
How to Give Pardale-V to Your Dog
- Give with or just after food to reduce the risk of stomach irritation.
- Every 8 hours — keeping to a steady three-times-daily rhythm gives the best pain control.
- Use the quarter scores to split tablets accurately to your dog’s weight.
- Count carefully. Because the tablet contains a fixed amount of paracetamol, getting the number of tablets right matters.
- Stop at 5 days unless your veterinarian has specifically reassessed your dog.
Safety Warnings — Read Before Using
Pardale-V can be very useful, but it demands respect. The following points are essential.
Never Add Extra Paracetamol
The single most dangerous mistake is giving human paracetamol on top of Pardale-V, or assuming “a bit more won’t hurt.” It will. Paracetamol overdose in dogs causes severe liver damage and methaemoglobinaemia — damage to red blood cells that stops them carrying oxygen. Pardale-V already contains the paracetamol; never add to it.
Never Give It to a Cat
Paracetamol is lethal to cats. Cats lack the enzyme needed to process it safely, and even a fraction of a tablet can kill a cat. Keep Pardale-V well away from any cats in the household, and never, ever give it to one.
When Pardale-V Must Not Be Used
The product information states that Pardale-V is contraindicated in dogs with:
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- A risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding
- Blood disorders (blood dyscrasias)
- Known hypersensitivity to the ingredients
It should also be avoided in dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive dogs because of the risk to the kidneys, and used with extra care in very young or elderly dogs. It should not be combined with other NSAIDs or nephrotoxic drugs except on veterinary direction.
Signs of Paracetamol Toxicity
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if a dog on Pardale-V (or one that has eaten paracetamol) shows:
- Vomiting and loss of appetite
- Dark, muddy, brown or bluish gums
- Brown-coloured urine
- Swelling of the face, paws or limbs
- Rapid or laboured breathing
- Weakness, lethargy or collapse
Prompt treatment greatly improves the outcome — do not wait.
Overdose and Missed Doses
If your dog misses a dose, give it when you remember unless the next dose is close, then skip it — never double up. If your dog receives more Pardale-V than prescribed, or eats any paracetamol product, treat it as an emergency: contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service straight away, and bring the packaging.
Conclusion
Pardale-V is an effective, UK-licensed short-course painkiller for dogs, combining 400 mg paracetamol and 9 mg codeine per tablet and dosed at one tablet per 12 kg every 8 hours, for no more than 5 days. The calculator above gives you that dose and shows exactly how much paracetamol it delivers. The rules that keep it safe are simple but absolute: only ever use it on veterinary prescription, never add extra paracetamol, never give it to a cat, never exceed 5 days, avoid it entirely in dogs with heart, liver, kidney or GI disease, and treat any sign of toxicity as an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Pardale-V do I give my dog?
The dose of Pardale-V for dogs is one tablet per 12 kg of body weight, given every 8 hours (three times a day), for a maximum of 5 days. Each tablet contains 400 mg paracetamol and 9 mg codeine, and the tablets are quarter-scored for splitting. Pardale-V is prescription-only, so confirm the dose with your veterinarian.
Can I give my dog normal human paracetamol instead of Pardale-V?
You should not improvise with human paracetamol. Paracetamol has a narrow safety margin in dogs, and overdose causes severe liver and red-blood-cell damage. Pardale-V exists to deliver paracetamol in a controlled, dog-specific dose. Never give human paracetamol on top of Pardale-V, and only ever give paracetamol to a dog on veterinary advice.
How long can a dog take Pardale-V?
Pardale-V should be given for a maximum of 5 days. It is a short-course painkiller. If your dog still appears to be in pain after 5 days, that is a reason to return to your veterinarian for reassessment rather than to continue the medication.
Is Pardale-V safe for cats?
No. Pardale-V contains paracetamol, which is lethal to cats even in very small amounts because cats cannot process it safely. Pardale-V must never be given to a cat, and should be stored well out of reach of any cats in the household.
What are the side effects of Pardale-V in dogs?
Used correctly for a short course, Pardale-V is usually well tolerated, though mild stomach upset can occur. The serious risk is paracetamol toxicity from overdose – signs include vomiting, dark or muddy gums, brown urine, facial or paw swelling, laboured breathing and lethargy, which require emergency veterinary care.
Which dogs should not take Pardale-V?
Pardale-V is contraindicated in dogs with heart, liver or kidney disease, those at risk of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding, those with blood disorders, and dogs hypersensitive to the ingredients. It should also be avoided in dehydrated dogs and used cautiously in very young or elderly dogs. Always give your vet a full health history.
Related PuppaDogs Calculators
Continue building your dog’s personalised care plan with these related PuppaDogs calculators:
- Dog Pregnancy / Whelping Due-Date Calculator
- Puppy Weight Predictor (Adult Weight Calculator)
- Heatstroke Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Bloat (GDV) Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Dog Life Expectancy Calculator (Breed, Body Condition, Lifestyle)
- Spay/Neuter Timing Calculator for Dogs (Breed-Specific)
References & Further Reading
The dosing ranges and safety information on this page are drawn from the following veterinary references. Always defer to your own veterinarian and the manufacturer’s label for your specific product.
- Pardale-V Oral Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC), UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate Product Information Database. vmd.defra.gov.uk.
- Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. 10th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2023 – acetaminophen (paracetamol) and codeine monographs.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicosis in small animals. merckvetmanual.com.
- International Veterinary Information Service / Veterinary Poisons Information Service – paracetamol toxicity in dogs and cats.
- PuppaDogs. Codeine for Dogs: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More. puppadogs.com.
