Reusable Migraine Gel Mask Danger to Dogs
My friends and former, longtime colleagues at the American Animal Hospital Association’s TRENDS magazine shared this alert online this week. Apparently, reusable migraine gel masks may pose a serious toxicity risk to dogs — with veterinary toxicologists reporting cases of dogs developing major tummy troubles, rapid onset of neurological signs, and tremors, ataxia (wobbly walking), and seizures. Yikes!
Rather than me rehashing what their team published. Here’s a link to what they wrote and a link to the warning some veterinary toxicologists wrote to The International Journal of Clinical Studies and Medical Case Reports.
What’s the Dangerous Ingredient in Reusable Migraine Gel Masks?
These toxicities in dogs may be due to trace acrylamide, which is a known neurotoxin. Even really small small amounts may be dangerous.
AAHA points out that a lot of people might not realize the danger because the actual ingredients in the reusable migraine gel masks may look not dangerous at first glance. Since veterinary toxicologists are finding grace amounts of acrylamide, I would guess that it’s not identified in the official ingredients and perhaps is there maybe accidentally.
They also point out that people often keep the masks in the freezer or bedside drawers, which may be accessible to dogs. So, if you use a gel mask like this for migraines or other types of headaches, please be careful.
NOT the Mask Mentioned in the Warning, But …
I think I threw away the box that my little eye mask thing for headaches came in, so not sure what’s inside. It feels like little, kind of hard beads, not gel. Still, though, I guess I need to be extra careful. Often after it’s lost its cold I just yank it off and leave it on the bedside table.
