Topical Pain Meds Can Kill Pets
As many Bay State pet parents hailing from Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga, NY already realize, there are myriad human medications that are off limits for cats and dogs – and not all of them come in pill form.
The Food and Drug Administration in 2015 issued a warning regarding topical pain relievers that can be harmful and even fatal for our four-legged friends to ingest.
“Topical pain http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/tags/medications containing flurbiprofen are dangerous to animals, even in tiny amounts,” writes Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and contributing author for Pet Health Network magazine. In its online article titled ALERT: FDA Warns Popular Topical Pain Medication Toxic to Pets, Ward further states, “The warning was the result of several reports of household pets becoming ill or dying after the guardians used flurbiprofen topical pain relief formulations.”
To see the complete online article go to http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/news-blogs/a-vets-life/alert-fda-warns-popular-topical-pain-medication-toxic-pets.
Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/tags/arthritis, joint pain <http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/tags/joints>, muscular discomfort and other aches. It was originally marketed as Ansaid® (Pfizer), then Froben® (Abbott), and is now widely available in generic form. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®), naproxen (Naprosyn®), and other NSAIDs. Flurbiprofen is commonly added to pain relieving creams and lotions, and that may be how pets, especially http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/tags/cats, are being accidentally poisoned, according to Ward.
The article includes a link to lists of most common poisons for dogs and cats. They are as follows:
Top Canine toxins
Chocolate <http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/pet-health/chocolate-toxicity-cats-and-dogs>
Mouse and rat poisons (rodenticides) <http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/pet-health/dangers-rat-poison-dogs-and-cats>
Vitamins and minerals
NSAIDs
Cardiac medications
Insect bait stations
Cold and allergy medications
Antidepressants
Xylitol <http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/video/why-dogs-should-never-eat-gum>
Acetaminophen <http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/pet-health/acetaminophen-toxicity-dogs-and-cats> (e.g., Tylenol)
Pet Poison Helpline, in 2012 listed the following for the most common feline poisons:
Topical spot-on insecticides
Household cleaners
Antidepressants
Poisonous plants
Human and veterinary NSAIDS
Always immediately consult your pet’s veterinarian if you suspect he or she has come into contact or ingested a toxin of any kind. Keep this emergency contact handy:
Pet Poison Helpline: tel:855-764-7661
Email: mailto:info@petpoisonhelpline.com
Fax: (952) 852-4601
The link to the above is http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/contact/.
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