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Human Medications That Poison Our Pets

Many pet parents a don’t realize that some of the biggest culprits are sitting
right on their own nightstands. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center received 89,000 calls related to pets ingesting over-the-counter and
prescription medications. To help you prevent an accident from happening, the
SPCA Animal Poison Control Center experts have created a list of the top 10
human medications that most often poison our furry friends.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following items, please call your
veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at
(888) 426-4435. And remember to keep all medications tucked away in
bathroom cabinets—and far from curious cats and dogs.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are
the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause
serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their
effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of
cats—kidney damage.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to
serotonin syndrome—a condition marked by agitation, elevated body
temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization,
tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood
cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause
liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in
people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood
pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used topically to treat minor skin cancers
and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing
severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on
discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid
Often the first line of defense against tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic
for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause
a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products,
and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it
causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as
seizures.

Anti-diabetics
Many oral diabetes treatments—including glipizide and glyburide—can cause a
major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion
include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can
cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of
exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst
due to kidney failure—often don't occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats
and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression,
disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death.

©2008 ASPCA
Pet Health - POISON CONTROL