22-year-old cat survives accidental opioid ingestion after owner mix-up

A cat in Orlando, Florida, made a full recovery after accidentally receiving another pet's opioid medication at age 22, a case Pet Poison Helpline highlighted August 3 to mark National Senior Pet Day.

According to the organization, the cat, named Shadow and now 23, lives with owner Ruby McDonald, her older husband Mike, and an aging dog named Charley. McDonald joked about the household's elderly residents.

"Oh, he's very old," McDonald said of Shadow in a news release published by Pet Poison Helpline.¹ "In fact, we joke that our house is like a hospice for old men. I've had Shadow since he was born, which is actually twice as long as I have been with my husband."

The dog, Charley, is prescribed hydrocodone, an opioid pain medication, while Shadow receives treatment for hypothyroidism. McDonald said her husband was administering both animals' medications with a pill gun and mistakenly gave Charley's hydrocodone to Shadow.

"Our rescue dog Charley is on hydrocodone, and Shadow is on medication for hypothyroidism," McDonald said.¹ "Mike was giving them their meds with a pill gun we use, and he accidentally gave Charley's hydrocodone to Shadow. He realized immediately what he had done, and we tried giving Shadow hydrogen peroxide to make him vomit. It didn't work, so we called Pet Poison Helpline on the way to the emergency room and were given a case number."

Hydrocodone is a human-labeled opioid used in dogs as a cough suppressant and for moderate pain, and it is specifically cautioned against in geriatric patients and those with underlying conditions including hypothyroidism.² The exposure was therefore a particular concern for a cat of Shadow's age and health status. In cats, opioid overdose does not always resemble the sedation seen in dogs. While dogs typically show central nervous system depression, cats and certain other species may instead show central nervous system excitation, along with signs such as nausea, ataxia, hyperthermia, and behavioral changes.³

Shadow was treated at Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida in Waterford Lakes, where the team had to weigh not only the opioid exposure but the effects of the hydrogen peroxide the family had already administered.

Hydrogen peroxide works as an emetic by irritating the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract, and cats are considerably more sensitive to that irritation than dogs. In cats, it can inflame or ulcerate the stomach lining, which is one of the reasons it is not considered a safe way to induce vomiting in these felines.

Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said the cat faced risks including gastrointestinal upset, cardiovascular issues and respiratory depression.

"There is no safe way to induce vomiting in cats at home, so if your cat ingests something dangerous, get them to a veterinarian immediately," Schmid said.¹ "That is what Shadow's family did, and their quick action helped keep the incorrect medication from causing serious harm."

Pet Poison Helpline said its toxicology team recommended an antiemetic, subcutaneous fluids, and gastrointestinal protectants given the cat's age and exposure, with additional treatment if clinical signs developed. Shadow was monitored overnight and returned home the next day.

McDonald returned to the responsibility owners carry in preventing these accidents.

"It was clearly an accident, but it would have been much worse if Mike hadn't noticed he switched the pills," McDonald said.¹ "They know they get a treat after their meds, so they sit and accept what we give them. It is up to us to make sure there are no mistakes."

The case was published as part of the organization's Toxin Tails series, which documents poisoning risks to pets. All animals featured in the series have made successful recoveries.

References

1. 22-year-old cat ingests potentially deadly opioid. News release. Pet Poison Helpline August 3, 2026. Accessed August 4, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/22-year-old-cat-ingests-potentially-deadly-opioid-302839421.html
2. Capuzzi J. WVC—opioids in veterinary medicine: panacea and pandemonium. dvm360. February 27, 2020. Accessed August 4, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/wvc-opioids-in-veterinary-medicine-panacea-and-pandemonium
3. Overview of toxicoses in animals from human recreational drugs. Merck Veterinary Manual. February 2026. Accessed August 4, 2026. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/toxicoses-from-human-recreational-drugs/overview-of-toxicoses-in-animals-from-human-recreational-drugs