Sharing Meds Can Be Dangerous!
This is true not only for humans, but for animals as well! Scientists have found a link between a pain killer for cattle and the deaths of mass quantities of vultures.
The particular drug in question is called ketoprofen and is basically the equivalent of ibuprofen for humans. In India, some farmers give ketoprofen to their cattle to reduce pain and swelling. Unfortunately what is helpful to cattle certainly is not helpful to vultures. Vultures are essentially nature’s janitors. They prove to be quite handy (or beaky?) when an animal dies so that the farmer does not have to worry about disposing of the body. They’re serious, too! A large group of vultures could take care of a carcass in about 20 minutes.
Scientists found out the hard way that certain cattle drugs are quite detrimental to vultures and birds in general. Because of a lack of knowledge, three vulture species are near extinction. Luckily more and more research is being done and now laws are being passed in India making it illegal for farmers to give their cattle ketoprofen.
Just a gentle reminder not to give your Excedrin to the cat (or any pet for that matter). You never know what will happen and it might not be pleasant!
