Cats Killed When Exposed To Topical Human Pain Medication, Flurbiprofen

Cats have died from kidney and gastrointestinal disease when accidentally exposed to topical pain medication containing Flurbiprofen. The cats’ owners were using the Flurbiprofen to treat osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Flurbiprofen is a medication similar to aspirin, ibuprofen, Rimadyl or Deramaxx. These medications, known for stopping pain and inflammation, are called NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  

When used in cats in minute concentrations (0.3%) as an ophthalmic medication (prevents pupillary constriction), Flurbiprofen is safe.  But, when Flurbiprofen was used in large concentrations of 20-30% in compounded topical medications prescribed to treat human pain, feline fatalities occurred. The compounded medications containing Flurbiprofen also contained lidocaine or prilocaine, baclofen, gabapentin, and cyclobenzaprine. There is potential for adverse reaction due to any component of a compounded drug, but cats are particularly sensitive to NSAIDs.  Cats are so sensitive to NSAIDs, that they are restricted to receiving pain-relieving doses of NSAIDs once every three days, while dogs can be given NSAIDs once a day, and humans multiple times a day.

Cats that were exposed to Flurbiprofen showed symptoms of kidney failure and gastrointestinal damage, and their blood tests supported the diagnosis of kidney failure:

• anorexia
• vomiting, including vomiting blood
• lethargy
• bloody stools (melena)
• large volume of dilute urine
• elevated BUN and
• elevated creatinine.

No one is certain how the cats are exposed, but the cats that died after exposure to Flurbiprofen were not given the medication directly. It is possible these cats have died after coming in contact with human skin treated with the medication.

After veterinarians documented feline death associated with compounded Flurbiprofen, the FDA made several recommendations:

• 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 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 and provide the details of the exposure.

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