The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning that affects those who have pets and use a particular variety of topical cancer medication.
According to the FDA, “pets are at risk of illness and death when exposed to the topical cancer medication Fluorouracil Cream USP 5%…intended for use in people. Fluorouracil may also be marketed under the brand names Carac, Effudex and Fluoroplex.”
The administration further notes, “…even very small amounts could be dangerous to [the] animals.”
Included in the notice is a report about a dog who found its owners medication, used it as a toy, and punctured the tube in the process, likely ingesting some of the cream.
The canine became violently ill and died 12 hours later.
The FDA notes that it has “received reports of five dogs that became ill and died after accidentally ingesting the topical cream”.
Though none of the incidents involved cats, it is believed they would be similarly affected by Fluorouracil.
• Original article online at https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/01/19/fda-issues-warning-after-skin-cancer-cream-reportedly-killed-5-d/21658491/
See https://www.fluoridealert.org/wp-content/pesticides/fluorouracil-page.htm for more information on effects
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