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Weekly veterinary news: Apoquel overdose calls rise, plus other updates

Pet Poison Helpline reports more calls involving accidental Apoquel access. The roundup also covers FDA report counts, a saline-injection recall, and other veterinary news.

By Animalso Team 4 min read
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Pet Poison Helpline says it has seen more calls about accidental access to oclacitinib (Apoquel), prompting a safety reminder for pet households. FDA records show overdose reports involving both dogs and cats, but those reports are not overdose rates and do not establish that the medicine caused a particular outcome. This week’s veterinary news also includes a saline-injection recall, a survey of older adults with pets, a complex canine reconstruction, and updates on veterinary communication and workforce issues.

What pet owners should know about Apoquel access

Apoquel Chewable is a prescription, pork-liver-flavored oclacitinib medicine for itching associated with skin allergies and atopic dermatitis in dogs. It is approved for dogs older than one year and is not approved for cats. Pet Poison Helpline’s increased calls concern accidental access, not a reported defect in the medicine.

As of April 2, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had received 259 overdose reports in dogs and 64 in cats since Apoquel Chewable was approved in June 2023. These are reports received by FDA, not a measure of how often overdoses occur among pets taking the drug and not proof that the medicine caused every reported problem.

FDA says cats are more likely than dogs to have serious side effects after accidental overdose. Reported signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and eye redness or swelling, as well as effects involving the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver. Signs usually appear within 24 hours, but an exposure does not mean a pet will necessarily develop them.

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Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said: “Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing number of calls regarding Apoquel, so we wanted to educate pet lovers about the danger this medication can pose in large overdoses and in unprescribed pets.” The statement appeared in Pet Poison Helpline’s news release, quoted by dvm360 on September 30, 2026.

Can cats take Apoquel?

Apoquel Chewable is not approved for cats. Keep it away from cats as well as dogs, and contact a veterinarian immediately if a cat may have eaten any. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

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What to do after a suspected overdose

FDA’s instruction is direct: “If you suspect your pet has accidentally overdosed on Apoquel Chewable, call your veterinarian immediately.” If your veterinarian is unavailable, contact an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control center. Have the pet’s weight, the amount that may have been eaten, the time of ingestion, and the product packaging ready.

How to reduce the chance of accidental access

  • Keep the medicine in its original packaging.
  • Store it where pets cannot reach it, such as a high cupboard or a cabinet with a child-resistant lock.
  • Ask your veterinarian whether an unflavored, non-chewable tablet is an appropriate alternative for your dog.

FDA’s advice is about preventing pet access while retaining the original packaging; it does not identify a particular storage product as proven to prevent access.

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A reported cat exposure

dvm360 reported that a cat named Tangerine gained access to a dog’s oclacitinib supply, developed multiple effects, was hospitalized for two days, and recovered after treatment. The report did not disclose the product formulation, so it does not establish that the cat encountered the chewable version.

Otsuka ICU Medical recalls a saline-injection lot

Otsuka ICU Medical LLC recalled one lot of 100-mL 0.9% sodium chloride injection after a bag of concentrated potassium chloride was found inside a saline-labeled overwrap. The affected lot is 1042188 (NDC 0990-7984-23), with an expiration date of October 31, 2027.

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A separate dvm360 report said the recall notice did not address animal patients and did not establish whether veterinary practices received the affected product. Veterinary teams should check the applicable recall notice and their own inventory rather than assume either that the lot was distributed to veterinary settings or that it was not.

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Survey: older adults living alone who own pets report wellbeing benefits

A Mather Institute survey of 900 older adults living alone found that pet owners reported better emotional wellbeing, less stress, and more physical activity than non-owners; dog owners reported the most activity. These are reported associations from the survey as summarized by dvm360, not evidence that pet ownership caused the differences. The roundup does not provide enough methodological detail to draw stronger conclusions.

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UC Davis surgeons reconstruct a border collie’s face

UC Davis surgeons used three titanium miniplates and 16 screws to reconstruct the skull, orbit, and midface of Tessa, a five-year-old border collie injured by a horse kick. Tessa later returned to herding trials, according to the weekly roundup.

Workplace communication and trauma-care takeaways

Turning conflict into a conversation

The Vet Blast Podcast featured Bridget Rollins, EMBA, discussing the “red zone,” recognizing triggers, and turning heated conflict into conversations that can build trust. The roundup offered no outcome data on the approach.

A framework for veterinary trauma cases

Tami Lind, BS, RVT, VTS(ECC), described a trauma-case sequence: triage first, stabilize before diagnostics, communicate in closed loops, and debrief afterward. She also emphasized that composure comes from preparation.

Australian veterinary association and workforce news

Phil Tucak’s Australia report noted membership growth for the Australian Veterinary Association under a new model and proposed New South Wales legislation to recognize veterinary nurses and technicians. The legislation was described as proposed; this roundup does not establish a later outcome.

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