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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
Written By Wag! Staff
Published: 01/10/2017Updated: 09/24/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short, are used to reduce pain and inflammation in humans and animals. As a result, they're commonly found in home medicine cabinets and handbags nationwide. Unfortunately, NSAIDs can be particularly dangerous for cats.
NSAID toxicity occurs
when your cat ingests an amount of a drug greater than their body can
properly process. In the case of some NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and
naproxen (commonly marketed under the Aleve brand name), cats can only process very small amounts and can suffer from serious cases of poisoning when exposed to small quantities. For other medications, such as aspirin and some NSAIDs
prescribed by your vet, toxicity occurs when your cat ingests more than
the prescribed amount.
Prompt veterinary care is essential for the successful treatment of NSAID toxicity in your cat. If you believe your cat has ingested an inappropriate medication or overdosed on a prescribed drug, seek immediate emergency veterinary care.
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Symptoms of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
The exact symptoms of NSAID toxicity in your cat will vary depending on the substance and amount ingested. The effects of NSAID toxicity can range from mild to severe, and serious cases of poisoning can be life-threatening. Signs to watch for include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Shock
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased or decreased thirst and urination
- Signs of discomfort or pain such as severe restlessness, incessant meowing, or panting
- Stomach and intestinal ulcers
- Jaundice
Causes of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
While NSAIDS are generally safe for human consumption in moderate doses, many common household pain relievers are harmful or poisonous to your cat. In some cases, your cat may receive an accidental excess dose of a
prescribed NSAID. However, NSAID toxicity most commonly occurs from
accidental ingestion of a human medication due to their widespread use
and the fact that they are commonly found in household medicine
cabinets.
Cats are curious by nature and there is a risk that your
feline could chase and ingest small NSAID pills if you happen to drop
them. In other instances, pet parents are unaware of the dangers NSAIDs
pose to cats and give their pet a drug such as ibuprofen in an effort to provide pain
relief.
NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of important substances known as prostaglandins. While this helps reduce pain and inflammation, prostaglandins also support healthy kidney function and protect the gastrointestinal tract. And because cats can't metabolize NSAIDs as well as humans can, toxicity can result.
Currently, the FDA only approves 2 NSAIDs for short-term use in cats — meloxicam and robenacoxib. There are no NSAIDs approved for long-term use in cats.
Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol and a range of other brand names, is another common over-the-counter pain relief medication for humans. While it's not technically an NSAID, it's also highly toxic to cats and should never be given to your pet.
Diagnosis of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
Before your vet can diagnose NSAID toxicity in your cat, you'll need to provide your vet with a complete history of any potentially harmful substances your cat may have come in contact with. You will also need to provide details of your cat’s symptoms, including the approximate time of onset and whether those clinical signs have worsened.
Your veterinarian may be able to confirm a diagnosis of NSAID toxicity. However, given the rapid effects and danger of the condition, any combination of the above symptoms along with you witnessing your cat ingest an NSAID (or suspecting that they have) is enough to take action. Even without symptoms, if you think your cat has ingested an NSAID not prescribed for them, contact your vet right away.
Treatment of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
The treatment of NSAID toxicity in cats occurs in 2 stages. First, your vet will work to induce vomiting in your cat. This is done by administering various injectable drugs that stimulate your cat’s gag reflex.
After your cat has vomited the contents of their stomach, your vet will administer a substance called activated charcoal. Charcoal is highly absorbent and can help remove NSAIDs and other poisons from your pet's system. Since activated charcoal is not palatable to your cat, it will need to be administered with the use of a feeding tube inserted into your cat’s throat. The charcoal solution is injected through the tube, directly into the stomach.
Next, your vet will insert an IV needle into your cat’s arm so that they can be administered supportive fluids. This is important to help dilute the concentration of NSAIDs in your cat’s system and to replace vital fluids lost during the treatment process. It also supports liver and kidney function.
Your cat will need to be hospitalized during all of these procedures due to the high potential for kidney and other organ failure, plus the need for continuous monitoring and treatment.
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Recovery of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats
The prognosis for recovery from NSAID toxicity in your cat is guarded to poor. Full recovery is possible if veterinary care is provided immediately or shortly after ingestion.
However, some cats may experience long-term health consequences if toxicity isn’t caught in time or if the dosage is severe. These pets may require treatment with medications that promote kidney or heart health.
Unfortunately, some cats that suffer from NSAID toxicity will not survive. Once shock and organ failure have set in, the chances of survival decrease exponentially. Rapid and thorough treatment provides the best chance of your cat living a long and healthy life.
Finally, if your cat is showing signs of pain or discomfort, don't reach into your medicine cabinet looking for something to relieve that pain. NSAIDs are highly dangerous to cats and should only ever be given to your pet under the advice of a veterinarian.
NSAID toxicity can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of NSAID toxicity, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity Average Cost
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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Maine Coon
rusty
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Dry Nose
Vomiting Bile
Hiding
Avoiding Eye Contact
Slow Moving
Lack Of Response
Hi,
My cat seemed to have an issue with his eye (itchy, scratching it), so I brought him to the vet yesterday. The vet gave him a shot that he said was an anti inflammatory, as well as some eye drops. Within an hour or two from the visit, my cat was throwing up and seemed to be very sick at my home. That night he threw up 5 times and was incredibly lethargic, hiding, and avoiding eye contact for several hours. The last couple times he threw up appeared to be bile. He is normally the most up beat and friendly cat, and he must have been feeling very badly to be acting so differently. By the end of the night he was back to himself, and I was very relieved. He is doing just fine now, and his eye seems to be a lot better too. But I am very concerned about what could have caused this reaction. Was it the vets fault? Is this normal? I read that NSAIDs can cause drug toxicity- do you think this could have been the case from the injection? Thank you!
April 12, 2018
0 Recommendations
In some cases cats (like dogs or any other animal including humans) may have side effects due to medication; normal side effects seen with anti inflammatory drugs (you didn’t specify which anti inflammatory was given) may include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy among others (see quotation and link below). It is important that Rusty has improved and the original issue (eye) is improving also; I don’t believe that there was any fault on the side of the Veterinarian and think that the vomiting was from a side effect. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
“Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood and apathy.”
http://files.boehringer.com.au/files/CMI/Metacam%20Injectable%20Dog%20Cat%20ANZ.pdf
www.norbrook.com/media/2584/pi-loxicom-injection-cats.pdf (one NSAID prescribing information with information on side effects and adverse reactions)
April 13, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
stray
Mecnun
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nothing
I am scarred that my two cats might eat nsaid xeforapid painkiller. One of the pill is missing. They act fine maybe I lost it or drink it myself but I am scarred. I need your proffesional opinion. :(
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity Average Cost
From 416 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
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