Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Topical Minoxidil Exposures and Toxicoses in Dogs and Cats: 211 Cases (2001-2019).
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Tater, Kathy C et al.
Plain-English summary
Topical minoxidil is a medication used for hair loss that can be harmful to pets if they come into contact with it. A study looked at 211 cases of dogs and cats that were exposed to this product, finding that many pets showed signs of illness after exposure, even from small amounts. Cats were most often exposed when they accidentally licked their owner's skin or a pillowcase after the owner applied the medication, while dogs typically got into it by rummaging through trash. In these cases, a significant number of pets developed moderate to severe health issues, and some cats sadly died as a result. This highlights the importance of keeping minoxidil away from pets and educating pet owners about the risks.
Abstract
Topical minoxidil is a medication for hair loss, initially available in the United States by prescription only and available since 1996 as an over-the-counter product. To determine the epidemiology of minoxidil exposures and toxicoses in dogs and cats, 211 dog and cat cases with topical minoxidil exposure were identified from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center database. In 87 cases with clinical signs of toxicosis (62 cats, 25 dogs), case narratives were reviewed and coded for exposure-related circumstances. Unintentional delivery, especially while pet owners applied minoxidil for his/her own hair loss (e.g., pet licked owner's skin or pillowcase, pet was splashed during a medication spill), was the most common cat exposure circumstance. Exploratory behavior (e.g., searching through trash) was the most common dog exposure circumstance. Clinical signs occurred in dogs and cats even with low exposure amounts, such as drops or licks. In patients that developed clinical signs, most developed moderate or major illness (56.0% dogs, 59.7% cats). Death occurred in 8/62 (12.9%) cats that developed clinical signs after the pet owner's minoxidil use. Pet owners should be educated on the risk of dog and cat toxicosis from accidental minoxidil exposure.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34370845/