Medications have changed how long people live, and they make profound changes in the body to do this. Pharmacology is complex and takes years to study and master. Nurses educate patients about drug safety at home. This includes medication specifics, but also the safety of storing the medication. Many people think of child safety when it comes to medication, but pet safety is just as important. Our furry companions are at risk of accidental exposure, too. There are significant biological differences between humans and animals; drugs that are safe and effective for a person can be toxic and even lethal to a pet.
Almost half of the phone calls received by the Pet Poison Helpline are due to an animal being exposed to a human medication. This article explores why common human medications pose a danger to pets, delving into the scientific reasons behind these reactions, steps for prevention, and emergency response.
Biological Differences
Animals are distinctly different from humans both anatomically and physiologically. While humans and animals share some basic biological functions, animals' bodily systems, particularly how they process and metabolize drugs, vary. 16.5% of reported toxic exposures to pets were over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and 13.6% were human prescription medications.
A medications chemical effect on the human body, which is carefully created for our specific physiology, can be harmful to an animal's systems. For instance, a dog's heart rate and respiratory rate are naturally higher than a human's, and a cat's liver functions differently.
These differences mean that a drugs dosage and its effects cannot be simply scaled down from human to animal. Understanding these biological differences is essential for improving pet safety and preventing dangerous medication-related accidents.
Drug Processing in Animals
An animal's liver is the primary organ for drug metabolism, just like in humans. However, it has a different set of enzymes compared to a human's. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down drug compounds into inactive forms that can be safely excreted from the body.
Cats, for example, have a deficiency of certain enzymes, such as glucuronyl transferase. This enzyme is crucial for a process called glucuronidation, which is a major pathway for metabolizing many drugs, including acetaminophen. Because cats lack this enzyme, they cannot effectively break down acetaminophen. The drug accumulates in their bloodstream and leads to the formation of toxic byproducts. These byproducts damage red blood cells, causing them to lose their ability to carry oxygen, a condition known as methemoglobinemia. This can quickly lead to respiratory distress, organ failure, and death.
Similarly, a dog's liver has its own unique metabolic characteristics. When a drug is not processed correctly, it can place a severe strain on major organs. The kidneys, liver, and central nervous system are all highly vulnerable. An unprocessed or improperly metabolized drug can lead to acute organ damage, chronic organ failure, or a dangerous buildup of the drug's active compounds, causing systemic toxicity.
Common Human Medications and Their Specific Dangers
There are some medications that have a crossover that can be given to both humans and animals. But many medications that humans take can be seriously harmful to your furry loved ones at home. Here is a list of some common household medications to keep out of the way of your furry babies.
Pain Relievers and Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Questions like Can a cat take Tylenol? or Is Tylenol safe for pets? arise often, but acetaminophen is highly toxic to cats due to their limited ability to metabolize it. In dogs, it is not as immediately lethal as in cats; however, it can cause severe liver damage. The mechanism involves the depletion of glutathione, a crucial antioxidant in the liver. Without sufficient glutathione, the liver's cells are susceptible to damage from toxic metabolites of the drug.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Many pet owners may ask, Can a dog take ibuprofen? or Is ibuprofen safe for cats? These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are dangerous for pets. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are involved in inflammation and pain. However, these enzymes also play a protective role in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. In both dogs and cats, ibuprofen can cause severe gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding by disrupting the stomach's natural protective barriers. It can also lead to acute kidney failure by reducing blood flow to the kidneys.
Antidepressants
Many antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), affect the central nervous system by altering serotonin levels. In pets, an overdose can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome. This occurs when there is an excess of serotonin in the central nervous system. Symptoms can be severe and include agitation, tremors, disorientation, seizures, and an elevated heart rate.
Cold and Allergy Medications
Over-the-counter cold and allergy medications often contain decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. These ingredients are stimulants that can have a dramatic effect on a pet's cardiovascular system. A small dose can cause a rapid increase in heart rate (tachycardia), dangerously high blood pressure (hypertension), and hyperactivity. This can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, and seizures. Even seemingly small doses can be an overdose for a small animal.
ADHD Medications (Amphetamines)
Amphetamines, sometimes used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are powerful central nervous system stimulants. A small dose for a human can be a lethal overdose for a pet, causing a massive and uncontrolled increase in nervous system activity. The symptoms are dramatic and include extreme agitation, tremors, seizures, hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature), and heart failure.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol or atenolol, are used to manage heart rate and blood pressure in humans. In pets, an overdose can cause a severe drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and a dangerously slow heart rate (bradycardia). This can lead to weakness, lethargy, dizziness, fainting (syncope), and life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
Topical Hair and Skin Treatments
The danger is not limited to oral medications. Topical treatments can also pose a significant risk. If an ointment or topical medication gets on a pet, they can easily lick it off, ingesting it.
Minoxidil (Rogaine): Even a small amount of topical minoxidil, a hair growth stimulant, can be lethal to cats. Cats can absorb the drug through their skin or by grooming themselves. It causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs (pulmonary edema), leading to severe breathing difficulties and heart failure. The toxicity is so high that even a small amount can cause a fatal reaction.
Neosporin (Antibiotic Ointment): While not as dangerous as other medications, if a pet, particularly a cat, licks an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, it can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, pets may have an allergic reaction to the ingredients, leading to more serious symptoms.
Emergency Response and Prevention
If you suspect a pet has ingested any human medication, the following steps are critical:
- Remain Calm and Act Quickly: The sooner treatment is initiated, the better the prognosis. Do not induce vomiting without explicit instructions from a veterinary professional, as this can sometimes cause more harm depending on the medication ingested.
- Contact a Professional: Immediately call your veterinarian or a national pet poison control hotline. These professionals have access to extensive databases on drug toxicology in animals and can provide life-saving guidance tailored to the specific medication and the pet's size and species. Be prepared to provide details about the medication, the amount ingested, and the pet's weight.
- Follow Instructions: The professional you contact will provide a plan of action. This may include advising you to bring the pet to an emergency veterinary clinic for decontamination, supportive care, or specific antidotes if available.
The Best Prevention: Securing Medications
As nurses, our role in patient education extends to promoting the health and safety of the entire family, including pets. The most effective way to prevent pet poisonings is to ensure that all human medications are stored securely and out of reach of animals.
This includes prescription pills, over-the-counter drugs, and topical treatments. Just as we childproof our homes, we must "pet-proof" them. This means storing medications in locked cabinets, on high shelves, or in secure containers. Never leave pills in an open container or a plastic bag where a curious pet could easily access them. This simple, preventative measure is the single most important step a pet owner can take to protect their animal from accidental poisoning.
About the Author:
Breann Kakacek, BSN, RN, has been a registered nurse since 2015 and a CNA prior to that for two years while going through the nursing program. Most of her nursing years included working in the medical ICU, cardiovascular ICU, and the OR as a circulating nurse. She has always had a passion for writing and enjoys using her nursing knowledge to create unique online content. You can learn more about her writing career and services at ghostnursewriter.com
Breann is an independent contributor to CEUfast's Nursing Blog Program. Please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely of the independent contributor and do not necessarily represent those of CEUfast. This blog post is not medical advice. Always consult with your personal healthcare provider for any health-related questions or concerns.
If you want to learn more about CEUfast's Nursing Blog Program or would like to submit a blog post for consideration, please visit https://ceufast.com/blog/submissions.
