The TEN most poisonous human medications for animals

January 12, 7:29 PMPhoenix Pet Welfare ExaminerLinda Francis

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Each night I give my Dad his evening Blood Pressure medication and there have been times when I’ve seen him lay it on the nightstand. Since there are two furry kids here too, I take great pains to keep the house safe for them.

Have you ever put pills around, thinking it was safe, only to find that they’re missing? It takes a brief moment for a cat or dog to get curious enough to sniff, and perhaps eat, whatever’s lying around. Ingesting a pharmaceutical can prove to be deadly.

According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, they received over 89,000 calls in 2007 related to pets ingesting over-the counter and prescription medications. You can prevent yourself from ever having to make that call by knowing the top ten human medications that can poison your beloved animals.

The following is a list of these dangerous medications, copied (with their permission) from the ASPCA website at www.aspca.org

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.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the items above, please call your veterinarian or take them immediately to one of the pet emergency clinics nearest you.

Chandler 1st Regional Animal Hospital ~OPEN 24 HRS~
1233 W Warner 480.732.0018

Gilbert Arizona Veterinary Specialists ~OPEN 24 HRS~
86 W Juniper Ave 480.497.0222

East Mesa 1st Emergency Pet Care ~OPEN 24 HRS~
1423 S Higley, Ste 102 480.924.1123

Mesa
1235 S Gilbert 480.497.0222

Mesa Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona ~OPEN 24 HRS~
1648 N Country Club Drive 480.898.0001

Paradise Valley ~6pm-8am, M-F and 24 hrs weekends & holidays~
6969 E Shea Boulevard 480.991.1845
(Accepts wildlife)

Peoria
9875 W Peoria Ave (W of Loop 101) 623.974.1520

Phoenix ~OPEN 24 HRS~
2260 W Glendale Ave (E of I-17 exit) 602.995.3757

Scottsdale ~OPEN 24 HRS~
14202 N Scottsdale Rd., Ste 163 480.949.8001

Tempe University Animal Hospital ~open 7 days a week~
2500 S Hardy Dr 480.968.9275

AzSPCA 602.246.8280

AZ Equine Medical & Surgical Centre
1685 S Gilbert Rd 480.962.6660

Southwest Equine Medical Surgical Center
6001 E Bell Rd 480.998.3482

The Arizona Humane Society's EAMT
Ambulance for sick or injured strays 602.997.7585 x2073

Animal Benefit Club of Arizona's (ABC) Animal Emergency Services
Locations Shown HERE

And you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 (there is a $60 fee).

To avoid the possibility of an accidental poisoning or death, please remember to keep all medications away from curious cats and dogs and safely stored ,in bathroom cabinets or drawers.