Warning: AFRIN Nasal Spray (Oxymetazoline HCl) Toxic to Pets
Date: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:53 am ((PDT))


Received the following email from a friend. Hope the information can keep
another pet from having a similar experience.

Pam and The Pups

I had a very close call with one of my whippets recently, and wanted to
put out a warning about the toxicity of Oxymetazoline HCl, the active
ingredient in AFRIN and some other over-the-counter nasal decongestant
sprays.
Even a small amount in their mouth (it is absorbed through mucous
membranes,
they do not even need to swallow any!) can cause a *lethal* drop in blood
pressure and heart rate in just a very few hours. Nausea usually is the
first
symptom.

I found my dog (Whippet) chewing on a bottle of Afrin just before bedtime
- there was a wet spot where most of the liquid had leaked onto the bed.
She started vomiting about 20 minutes later, and about an hour after that
her
gums suddenly went almost white. I got her to an emergency clinic ASAP,
where her blood pressure was so low, they were unable to get a reading.

Fortunately, there is an antidote - Antisedan - which most vet hospitals
have. That plus IV fluids and medication for the nausea stabilized my dog
fairly quickly.

And fortunately, if they survive the immediate crisis, the Oxymetazoline
HCl only lasts in their system about 24 hours (they may need repeated doses
of the antidote throughout that period), and it apparently has no lasting
effects (no kidney or liver damage, etc).

I was very lucky - my dog was home from the hospital in about 24 hours,
and hasn't looked back. But I never dreamed that stuff was so very toxic to
dogs, and wanted to send out a warning to all to keep any human meds, even
common over-the-counter ones, well out of reach of pets (including bedside
nightstand drawers!)

Many thanks to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for their
assistance. Every pet owner should keep their phone number handy - minutes
can count
when a pet has been exposed to something potentially toxic!! There is a
fee, but it is well worth it when a life may be at stake. 888-426-4435.
Please go enter that number in your cell phones and post it on your
refrigerator ASAP.

Please feel free to cross post.

Sidney Hoblit
& the Stone House Sighthounds