How are cats affected by human pain relief creams?
In a second household, three cats experienced symptoms of lethargy, anorexia (reluctance to eat) vomiting and had black, bloody stools. Sadly, these three cats perished. All of the cats were exposed to creams their owners had applied to themselves, not from direct application to the cats.
What to do if your cat licks your face?
If your cat is licking particular areas and the behavior is new, examine that part of their body. Look for any signs of external parasites such as fleas or signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge from the skin. Please call your veterinarian to have your cat examined if you notice a problem.
What happens if your cat licks itself all the time?
Cats typically spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, but excessive amounts of licking, biting, chewing, or scratching may mean that your cat’s self-grooming habits have become problematic. If your cat is licking too much, they can lose fur in strips along their back, belly, or inner legs.
What happens if a cat licks your bald spot?
“Bald skin is more prone to sunburn, frostbite or other environmental insults,” he says. “As long as the licking doesn’t break the skin’s surface, no infection will occur. If the cat gets more passionate about licking and abrades the skin surface [with its rough tongue], infection can occur.
In a second household, three cats experienced symptoms of lethargy, anorexia (reluctance to eat) vomiting and had black, bloody stools. Sadly, these three cats perished. All of the cats were exposed to creams their owners had applied to themselves, not from direct application to the cats.
Cats typically spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, but excessive amounts of licking, biting, chewing, or scratching may mean that your cat’s self-grooming habits have become problematic. If your cat is licking too much, they can lose fur in strips along their back, belly, or inner legs.
If your cat is licking particular areas and the behavior is new, examine that part of their body. Look for any signs of external parasites such as fleas or signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge from the skin. Please call your veterinarian to have your cat examined if you notice a problem.
How did the cats get exposed to the cream?
According to the FDA, “The pet owners involved in the cases had applied the cream or lotion to their own neck or feet, and not directly do the pet, and it is not known exactly how the cats became exposed to the medication.” My guess is that the owners pet their cats after applying the cream.
