Topical Minoxidil Exposures and Toxicoses in Dogs and Cats: 211 Cases (2001–2019)

This study analyzed 211 cases of topical minoxidil exposure in dogs and cats from 2001 to 2019, revealing that unintentional delivery during pet owners' application was the most common exposure circumstance for cats, while exploratory behavior was most common for dogs. Clinical signs of toxicosis were observed even with minimal exposure, with 56.0% of dogs and 59.7% of cats developing moderate to major illness. Notably, 12.9% of cats with clinical signs died. The findings highlight the need for pet owner education on the risks of accidental minoxidil exposure to prevent toxicosis in pets.