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According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, various
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) commonly kept
in the home—including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen—can
be dangerous to companion animals. “While these medications
can be beneficial to humans,” says APCC senior vice president,
Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist, “they can
be very hazardous or even deadly to pets.”
While
most animal exposures to NSAIDS are accidental—such as
a pet chewing into a bottle of medication or ingesting pills
left unattended—others occur as a result of pet owners
inappropriately medicating their pets. Depending on the dose,
NSAIDS can produce symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal
upset and kidney damage to seizures and coma. To ensure that
your pet is not exposed to NSAIDS, Hansen recommends the following:
Never
give your animal medication without first talking to your
pet’s veterinarian.
Certain veterinary NSAID products are formulated for safe
use in pets, but you should consult with your vet to avoid
a potential medication poisoning and ensure a proper diagnosis
and appropriate treatment plan.
Store all medications in a secure cabinet well out of the
reach of animals—even child-proof containers can easily
be chewed open.
If you suspect that your animal companion has ingested an
NSAID, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center's emergency hotline at 1-888-426-4435 for round-the-clock
telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips,
please visit ASPCA
online.
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