Dangers to our pets can turn up where we least expect them. One of the latest in a long list is an unlikely health aid for humans.

Recently, a cream containing flurbiprofen [fler-bĭ-PRO-fen], a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID [EN-sed], was blamed for illness in two cats and death in three others. The cream, used to treat joint and muscle pain in people, was not applied to the cats but only to the skin of their owners. Nevertheless, signs of NSAID toxicity showed up when the three deceased cats were examined.

This means that even trace amounts of flurbiprofen can be deadly to cats. Cat owners using an NSAID cream need to be sure to throw away applicators and thoroughly clean any contaminated materials.

Keep in mind that the owners and veterinarians who brought these cases to the public’s attention did it so that other lives could be saved.