Pets ingest many topical preparations, often resulting in only mild gastroenteritis. For example, ingestion of most corticosteroid-containing creams or ointments usually results in only mild to moderate stomach upset, polydipsia, and polyphagia. However, ingestion of certain topical agents in pet animals, such as 5-fluorouracil and calcipotriene, can be deadly even at low doses.

5-Fluorouracil

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is available as an ointment (1% or 5%) or topical solution (1%, 2%, or 5%). It is used in the treatment of skin cancers and solar keratoses in humans. Most exposures result from accidental ingestion, although occasionally 5-FU is used extra-label in pets. Ingestion in dogs and cats leads to the onset of signs within a few hours. In dogs, signs have been seen at dosages as low as 8.6 mg/kg, with the minimum lethal dose reported as 20 mg/kg. Initial signs include severe vomiting, which may progress to bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Signs often progress to severe tremors, ataxia, and seizures. In cats and dogs, 5-FU may be converted to fluorocitrate and interfere with the Kreb's cycle, which may be one cause of seizures and ataxia. Generally, 5-FU destroys rapidly dividing cells, affecting the GI tract, liver, kidneys, CNS, and bone marrow. The mortality rate among dogs ingesting 5-FU is high.

All 5-FU exposures in pets should be treated aggressively. Treatment consists primarily of symptomatic and supportive care. Emesis should be induced and the animal given activated charcoal and a cathartic if it is asymptomatic and the ingestion has occurred within 1 hr. If the animal is symptomatic (eg, vomiting or seizuring) it should be stabilized first. The GI tract should be protected with sucralfate (1 g in large dogs, 0.5 g in small dogs, PO, tid) and inhibitors of gastric acid secretion such as cimetidine. Diazepam may be used initially to control seizures and tremors, but in severe cases it is usually not effective and other antiseizure medications such as pentobarbital (3–15 mg/kg, IV slowly to effect) or phenobarbital (3–30 mg/kg, slowly IV to effect) can be used. Constant rate infusion using diazepam or barbiturates has been shown to be successful in controlling severe seizures. If this also fails to control CNS signs, gas anesthetics (eg, isoflurane) and propofol (4–6 mg/kg, IV or as a continuous drip 0.6 mg/kg/min) can be tried. IV fluids should be given and body temperature monitored. Monitoring electrolytes, serum chemistries (liver-specific enzymes and renal function), and CBC is usually required for ~2 wk. Surviving dogs may show evidence of bone marrow suppression later. For severe neutropenia in dogs, administration of filgrastim or granulocyte colony stimulating factor at 4–6 μg/kg, SC may be useful.

Calcipotriene

Calcipotriene, used to treat psoriasis in humans, is available as an ointment or cream (0.005% or 50 μg/g). Calcipotriene is a novel structural analog of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), the most active metabolite of cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃). Accidental ingestion of 40–60 μg/kg of calcipotriene in dogs has been associated with life-threatening hypercalcemia. Clinical signs usually occur within 24–72 hr of ingestion and include anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia, depression, and weakness. Serum calcium is usually elevated within 12–24 hr and may remain above normal for weeks. This is usually accompanied by an increase in serum phosphorous concentration and calcium phosphorous product (Ca × P) and soft tissue mineralization. Acute renal failure as evidenced by elevated BUN and creatinine levels, coma, and death occur in severe or untreated cases.

Treatment of calcipotriene toxicosis involves standard decontamination (emesis induction, administration of activated charcoal and a cathartic) and reduction of serum calcium concentrations by saline diuresis, furosemide, and corticosteroids, with or without salmon calcitonin treatment (see The Parathyroid Glands and Disorders of Calcium Metabolism: Treatment of Hypercalcemia). Concurrent use of pamidronate (1.3–2 mg/kg diluted in saline and given IV over 2 hr) in dogs may be a useful adjunctive therapy. Calcipotriene toxicosis cases usually require monitoring of serum calcium, phosphorus, BUN, and creatinine for several days or even weeks. Signs of renal failure are managed with ongoing supportive fluids.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Safdar A. Khan, DVM, MS, PhD, DABVT