MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent incident involving a cat named Tangerine highlights the dangers of pet exposure to the anti-itch medication Apoquel®. Grace, a pet owner from Indiana, discovered an empty Apoquel bottle at home after returning from work, prompting concerns about her pets. With five cats and a dog in her household, she calculated that Tangerine had ingested 13 pills after knocking the bottle off the shelf.
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Grace noted, "We had just refilled my dog's prescription for Apoquel, so I knew there were 13 pills left in the bottle. When I got home, I found the bottle on the floor, and it was empty. Although I have five cats, only Tangerine was showing signs. His third eyelid was elevated and his eyes were squinty, so I called Pet Poison Helpline."
The Pet Poison Helpline's toxicology experts quickly recognized this as a case of potential poisoning and advised Grace to bring all five cats for evaluation, as even small amounts of Apoquel can be concerning for cats. Ultimately, she chose to take only Tangerine for treatment.
Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, stated, "Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing number of calls regarding Apoquel. It's important to educate pet lovers about the risks of this medication in unprescribed pets."
Upon arrival at Veterinary Care and Emergency Specialist South in Indianapolis, the medical team consulted with Pet Poison Helpline for treatment recommendations. Dr. Schmid explained the seriousness of Tangerine's situation: "He ingested medication designed specifically for another species. With enough in his system to cause gastrointestinal upset and potentially affect his liver and kidneys, untreated, this could have proven fatal."
Grace's quick action reflects the increasing need for awareness about the dangers associated with medications not prescribed for specific pets.