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FDA Warns of Illness and Death in Pets exposed to Topical Pain Meds

Though not pet food related, this warning is serious and something all pet owners should be aware of.

Though not pet food related, this warning is serious and something all pet owners should be aware of.

Though not pet food related, this warning is serious and something all pet owners should be aware of.

From the FDA:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners, veterinarians, health care providers and pharmacists that pets are at risk of illness and death when exposed to topical pain medications containing the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flurbiprofen. People using these medications, should use care when applying them in a household with pets, as even very small amounts could be dangerous to these animals.

The FDA has received reports of cats in two households that became ill or died after their owners used topical medications containing flurbiprofen on themselves to treat muscle, joint, or other pain. The pet owners had applied the cream or lotion to their own neck or feet, and not directly to the pet, and it is not known exactly how the cats became exposed to the medication. The products contained the NSAID flurbiprofen and the muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, as well as other varying active ingredients, including baclofen, gabapentin, lidocaine, or prilocaine.

Two cats in one household developed kidney failure and recovered with veterinary care. Two cats in a second household developed signs that included reluctance to eat, lethargy, vomiting, melena (black, tarry, bloody stools), anemia, and dilute urine. These two cats died despite veterinary care. A third cat in the second household also died after the owner had stopped using the medication. Veterinarians performed necropsies on the three cats that died and found evidence in the kidneys and intestines that were consistent with NSAID toxicity.

The FDA recommends that people who use topical medications containing flurbiprofen take care to prevent their pets from being exposed to them, even in ways that may seem unlikely to cause problems.

  • Store all medications safely out of the reach of pets.
  • Safely discard or clean any cloth or applicator that may retain medication and avoid leaving any residues of the medication on clothing, carpeting or furniture.
  • Consult your health care provider on whether it is appropriate to cover the treated area.
  • If you are using topical medications containing flurbiprofen and your pet becomes exposed, bathe or clean your pet as thoroughly as possible and consult a veterinarian.
  • If your pet shows signs such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or other illness, seek veterinary care for your pet and be sure to provide the details of the exposure.
  • Understand that, although the FDA has not received reports of dogs or other pets becoming sick in relation to the use of topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen, these animals may also be vulnerable to NSAID toxicity after being exposed to these medications.

Veterinarians who have patients who show signs of NSAID toxicity should ask whether anyone in the household has used topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen.

Health care providers who prescribe topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen and pharmacists who fill these prescriptions should advise patients with pets to take care to prevent exposure of the pet to the medication.

Pet owners and veterinarians can also report any adverse events to the FDA.

Please click on the following link to read FDA advice to consumers on pet exposure to prescription topical pain medications containing Flurbiprofen: http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm443332.htm

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Ellie

    April 18, 2015 at 9:32 am

    My first guess would be that the owner did not wash their hands after applying the medication and then put their hands on their cats. Another possibility would be if some of the topical got on the furniture or even onto dishes when the owner washed them.
    I have used an over the counter product called Blue Emu on my inflamed knee and have had no issues with my pets although it is not an official non steroidal anti-inflammatory product and I do wash my hands after application. It does, however, help relieve pain much better than I had originally hoped.
    Cats do wash their fur with their tongues so owners do need to take into consideration what they could get on their coats from coming in contact with things around the house.

  2. Jennifer

    April 18, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Another possibility is that the cat licked off the lotion. Sounds strange but whenever I apply any kind of mint- menthol rub on my sore muscles it’s like my cat can’t resist it and he gets absolutely nuts. He sniffs and tries to lick it. My dog of course does the same thing with any type of lotion so I had to change what I used.

  3. Wil Rutar

    April 18, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    FYI: I have been informed that flurbiprofen is NOT available in Canada.

    • Joan

      December 6, 2019 at 9:56 am

      It is in Canada the North Bay hospital uses it on their patients. They gave my Mom a tube of it.

  4. Beth

    April 18, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    I use Voltaren gel for my arthritic knees and am very aware of the potential dangers to our cats of exposure to topical NSAIDs. I always wash my hands thoroughly after applying the gel and put clothing on to keep the area covered. Thanks for this excellent reminder.

    • dar

      April 18, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      FYI: Sesame Seeds Superior to Conventional Knee Arthritis Drug Treatments

      by Elizabeth Renter
      … A recent study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases indicates that something in your kitchen could be superior than even the medicine cabinet if you suffer from knee arthritis. Specifically, you need to reach for the sesame seeds.
      Researchers with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences sought to compare the effectiveness of sesame seeds to the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), a common solution for knee osteoarthritis. They found the seeds to offer benefits without side effects. The same couldn’t be said for the NSAID treatment, though…

      Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/sesame-seeds-superior-knee-arthritis-drugs/#ixzz3XiXdG7hH
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      http://naturalsociety.com/sesame-seeds-superior-knee-arthritis-drugs/

  5. Lisa P

    April 19, 2015 at 12:32 am

    I use topical estriol/estradiol cream for my bioidentical hormones and am extremely cautious to always wash my hands immediately after applying and to keep the part of my body I applied it to away from my cats. This can even be a bit challenging because I apply it to my thighs and arms and kitties like to sit in my lap. So I always make sure there is a blanket between me and kitty.

  6. Angelis

    April 19, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    The vet has given my dog Meloxicam and Tramadol for early onset Arthritis. (Lily is only 5 yrs old)
    Although the blood work after just the first month was okay, I worry that with only an x-ray to her front legs it may have been a hasty diagnosis.

    • Ellie

      April 20, 2015 at 12:41 pm

      I know that Meloxicam in humans can cause harm to the stomach because it is quite caustic to the stomach lining. They advise to only give with a full meal for that reason. It is the same with most NAIDs. They are harmful to the stomach lining. I would think the same issue could effect a dog’s stomach. Giving the medication with a good amount of food would probably be wise.

  7. Ginny

    April 19, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    My cat has been taking flurbiprofen eye drops prescribed by the veterinarian for several years for an eye condition. I get it filled at the local pharmacy. It is made by Bausch & Lomb and I instill one drop in each eye once a day. It has been very beneficial, so flurbiprofen in the form of eye drops must be ok. I can see where licking a topical pain cream meant for joint pain could be harmful, but evidently if the flurbiprofen is administered in the proper form and manner, it can also be helpful.

  8. QH

    July 4, 2015 at 2:42 am

    I’m careful, wash my hands, hurry to cover leg once dry, but my dogs…3 little dogs love the taste. I push them away, but one of my dogs will even lick the sheets where my knee lays after sleeping. I wish some taste deterrent could be added!
    It works so well for pain on my arthritic areas and bones with metal in them!
    Bring careful…..

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