Dogs commonly eat things they shouldn’t, especially the stray tablet or capsule from the medicine cabinet including drugs such as Lipitor (Atorvastatin).
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, almost half of their calls are about pets ingesting human medications. Many of these drugs can be toxic due to of a dog’s smaller size and differences in human and canine metabolism and toxicities.
What is Lipitor?
Lipitor, also known by the generic name “atorvastatin”, is a drug commonly used in humans to lower cholesterol levels. It is currently one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States.
Is Lipitor Routinely Prescribed to Dogs?
Lipitor is not prescribed in veterinary medicine.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Lipitor
In general, Lipitor is not considered highly toxic to dogs. The exception is if a small dog ingests many pills. The most common side effects seen in dogs after ingestion of Lipitor are vomiting, diarrhea and “gas”.
Monitor your dog carefully and ensure they are behaving normally. Monitor for normal urinations, bowel movements, vomiting, or lack of appetite.
When Should YOU Call Your Vet?
Call your vet if you see any abnormalities or concerns with your dog. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, pale gums, difficulty breathing, lack of appetite, trouble walking or any other signs, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Exposure
Dogs are so good at getting into things, and it’s easier to prevent a problem than it is to resolve it.
- Store all medications out of the reach of pets. For example, some pets get on tables or can knock things over on coffee or end tables so avoid these area. Many pet owners store their medications on counters, tables and night tables.
- Take extra special care with pill bottles and weekly pill holders. The shape of the containers and the sounds they make when shaken can mimic toys, tempting some dogs into playing with and chewing on them.
- Weekly pill holders are especially dangerous because they open easily and expose dogs to a multitude of medications.
- Avoid using plastic bags to store pills; if you are taking medications to work or otherwise traveling, keep them in your purse or pocket. Bags can be easily chewed through and ingested.
- Purses are a hazard because we commonly carry our human medications in our purses. Make sure you close your purse, hang up or secure in an area inaccessible to your pet.
- Encourage house guests to keep their luggage closed and medications secure from your pets. This may include keeping access closed to guest areas.
- Help visitors secure their belongings out of the reach of pets. Ensure visitor’s purses are closed and out of reach.
Other Emergency Plans
If your dog ingests Lipitor and you can’t get in touch with your vet, call your closest emergency clinic. Another option is to call a poison control hotline for pets. The two most common are:
- Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661(http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com). A $49 per incident fee applies.
- ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline, (888) 426-4435 (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control). A $65 consultation fee applies.
Sources:
- Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Ettinger & Felman.
- Current Veterinary Therapy XV, Bonagura and Twedt.
- ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline
- Pet Poison Helpline
- Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 8th Edition.
