Veterinarians asked to report pesticide poisoning incidents

A new website is launched for veterinarians to help track pesticide poisoning incidents.

The data is supposed to be evaluated by the EPA. What they will do with it is yet to be seen since, as evidenced in yesterday’s post, they don’t seem to be doing much to protect people let alone pets. But I suppose it will start a database that may some day be useful if anyone wishes to change pesticide policy for the health of pets.

(”Beyond Pesticides” January 2, 2009)– Household pets and other animals are commonly exposed to toxic pesticides in lawns and parks, from homeowner use of bug sprays, in contaminated air or water, or from flea and tick control products, potentially poisoning the animal and causing acute and chronic health effects. A new website has been designed for veterinarians to help track these pesticide poisoning incidents.

The incident reporting website is part of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) webpages. It was developed by the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Program, AVMA’s Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee and Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents “to capture the optimal amount of relevant information using a form that is quick for busy practitioners to fill out.” The data is to be evaluated by EPA.

According to EPA, “Most of the reports of more severe pesticide-related incidents EPA receives are neurological or dermatologic in nature. The reports from veterinarians will help improve the quality of all animal incident data.”

Numerous studies have documented the risk of pesticides to pets over the years. A 1991 National Cancer Institute study, finds that dogs whose owners’ lawns were treated with 2,4-D, four or more times per year, are twice as likely to contract canine malignant lymphoma than dogs whose owners do not use the herbicide. Exposure to herbicide-treated lawns and gardens increases the risk of bladder cancer by four to seven times in Scottish Terriers, according to a study by Purdue University veterinary researchers published in the April 15, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Research published in the December 1988 issue of Preventive Veterinary Medicine links hyperthyroidism in cats to flea powders and sprays, lawn pesticides and canned cat food. Allethrin, a common ingredient in home mosquito products (coils, mats, oils and sprays) and other bug sprays, has been linked to liver problems in dogs, according to a 1989 study by the World Health Organization. The 1989 edition W.C. Campbell Toxicology textbook reports that chronic exposure to abamectin, an insecticide often used by homeowners on fire ants can affect the nervous system of dogs and cause symptoms such as pupil dilation, lethargy, and tremors.

According to 2004 statistics compiled by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Animal Poison Control Center, 22% of approximately 880 cases of pet birds being exposed to common household items involved pesticides (including rat bait and insecticides).

“I can think of numerous cases over the years of abnormal neurologic signs in dogs after exposure to ‘benign’ herbicides and a pretty severe contact dermatitis in a cat after exposure to a pesticide,” states an ER vet in California. “I will try to encourage my colleagues to report any questionable adverse event in the future.”

If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, contact the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Encourage your veterinarian to document the pesticide poisoning through the new AVMA website. To be sure the incident does not go undocumented, complete Beyond Pesticides’ Pesticide Incident Report.

For more information on how your pet may be poisoned, what pesticides do to pets, and alterative pest management strategies for your home and pet pest problems, see Beyond Pesticides factsheet Pesticides and Pets: What you should know to keep your pets safe.

Gee, I can think of numerous times over the years of abnormal neurologic signs in me after exposure to “benign” herbicides. Anyone care to send a report in on that?

Link

Photo of dog on safe lawn by Anita Thomhave

Thanks, Linda!

Sunbathing chickens

Chickens are incredibly industrious creatures, and get a lot done in a day. My girls forage, lay eggs (not in the winter), take dust baths, rest, maintain their pecking order, forage some more, gobble up some corn or oats before bed, and get themselves back in the coops before dark. They are sensible and practical in all they do and much better than I at time management.

One of the most endearing things they do is take a daily sun bath. I love watching them lay in the sun, flopped on their sides, wings fanned out. They always do it together, blissing out in the warmth. I find great peace in watching them.

Nontoxic pest control for pets

GreenPaws.org, a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council, has tons of info about nontoxic ways to treat your pets for pests.

From GreenPaws.org:

Link to vid

GreenPaws.org

Green Paws Pocket Guide to safer flea and tick treatments

Natural Resources Defense Council’s report about Poisons on Pets

A glimpse of my secret garden

The outside world is filled with toxic chemicals that are dangerous to me, but I have created my own private, safe universe in my garden. Come take a look at a few of my favorite things: Lucy, the alpha hen; limes; a mynah at the bird bath; Lydia and her daughter Jolie; an Indonesian ginger flower; Jolie looking for treats; and a water lily with comets. Ahhhhhhh. Where is your safe place?

The truth about cats, dogs, and lawn chemicals

Great vid on 5 Easy Steps to guarding your pet’s health while growing a healthy lawn without chemicals:

1. Read the label!
2. Do your research!
3. Minimize exposure!
4. Use safer alternatives!
5. Get active!

Link to The Truth About Cats, Dogs and Lawn Chemicals

Awww, kittens playing with eco-toys

Kitties love a nontoxic life, too!

What’s better than a gaggle of kittens? A gaggle of kittens playing with eco-friendly toys! Check out this video for the cutest eco-cat toys around: If these kitties had this much fun with them, yours is bound to love them, too. -Shot and edited by Brit Liggett

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A stinky issue: Cat litter

I have a cat and she’s one of the most precious things in my life. I always tell her that if she didn’t poop, she’d be perfect. My Zippity is an indoor cat, so we have kitty litter. Commercial cat litter can be a real problem for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, mainly because most have toxic fragrance. Even some of the ones that are labeled as “fragrance free” still stink to me (I’ve tried them all).

I finally settled on blue silica gel for Zippity’s litter, it’s the only litter that takes care of the poop (eliminates odor and dries everything up) and doesn’t get me sick because of added toxics. Cleo the Cat, guest blogger at Pets for the Environment, says below that I should be checking to see what kind of dyes they are using in the silica, but truth be told, the silica gel works for me (no reaction) and seems to work okay for the cat. So on this one, I’m ok fine with it. (I promise to keep an eye out for some undyed gel, though.)

Anyway, here’s the poop from Cleo.

Avoid these environmentally- or kitty-unfriendly litters:

CLAY LITTER

Clay-based silica kitty litter is strip-mined, causing extreme environmental damage during extraction. And the dust it kicks up is bad for kitty lungs and can cause asthma and respiratory disease. I have used this stuff before but I’m glad I don’t anymore!

CLUMPING LITTER

There’s a lot of controversy over whether or not clumping litter can get stuck in kitty lungs or intestines. Regardless of the health effects, sodium bentonite is mined just like clay, so I’m keeping it in the “avoid” list.

PINE AND CEDAR SHAVINGS

Pine and cedar shavings smell heavenly in a horse stall, but cats can develop allergies to the phenols found in these soft woods. My research suggests that not all cats are bothered by it, but I’ve run into enough information that would definitely make me think twice.

SCENTED LITTER

The fragrances in scented kitty litter come from undisclosed combinations of chemicals, including hormone-disrupting phthalates. Besides being mysterious and unnecessary, they can trigger allergies in pets and humans alike. Sneezing’s no fun when you’re trying to do your business.

SAND

Sand could be okay if you promised to reuse it, but I’m going to put it in the “avoid” column because it’s a scarce resource. I didn’t know this until I started my research, but apparently the construction and mining industries go through a lot of sand, either eroding dunes, destroying beaches, or wiping out fish and coral from murky water caused by dredging. I don’t know about you, but my litter box just isn’t that important.

FLUSHABLE LITTERS

These are good because it helps biodegrade the litter, but the whole cat-poo-in-water thing is complicated, thanks to a parasite that can hurt sea otters. See below under “Waste disposal options” for the nitty-gritty details.

SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES

My only complaint with this is the obvious: do you really need to waste electricity to clean a litter box? I know, I know–if I think it’s so ridiculous, maybe I should clean my own litter box. I get it. But I have naps to take, and sunny spots on the floor to keep warm! There’s no time for cleaning!

SILICA GEL LITTERS

It’s really good at absorbing liquid and controlling odor, but it’s expensive, and the kinds with blue granules might be dyed with cobalt(II) chloride–a toxic and possibly carcinogenic moisture indicator. If you’re a furry crusader with blue silica gel litter in your box, it might be worth a call to the manufacturer to see what chemicals they use.

Link to Cleo’s picks for better litter choices.

Pets for the Environment, a website all about creating a healthy environment for pets and people, is actually a blog by Eddie the Dog, and sponsored by the Environmental Working Group.

How to treat feline ear mites with herbal infusion

Here’s my sweet girl Zippity.

I discovered a few days ago that my cat has ear mites. Ear mites are very icky– they make a big black mess in the ear– but they are pretty easy to treat with a homemade herbal remedy. It saves me a trip to the vet, where I always get sick because of all the disinfectant all over the place. (But if a problem arises in any of my animals that needs professional vet help, I am there in a heartbeat.)

Anyway, back to ear mites. First, for three days I injected, with a small needleless syringe, some olive oil into her ear, squished it around by gently massaging the canal from the outside, and then let her shake her head, which dislodges most of the gunk. Then I swabbed it out with q-tips (without actually inserting the q-tips into the canal). This process can be difficult with some cats, but Zippity is very good and patient with the procedure. (If you have a cat that squirms or worse, you can buy a nifty “cat sack” at your vet’s– it’s a pouch that you put the cat in, zip it up, and then you can access any part of the cat without getting shredded with those pointy ends.)

After doing the initial cleaning for three days, I’ll let the ear rest for three days, during which time I make a rosemary infusion. That’s what I did today.

First, I picked some fresh rosemary from the garden, chopped up a quarter cup, and mashed it in the mortar & pestle (top left).

Then I put it into a small bowl with a half cup of olive oil (center left).

And then I placed that cup of the infusion on the stove top right over the pilot light so it stays warm (bottom left). You can also put it on a water heater or in a sunny window. It will stay there for three days.

Then, I will strain it, and do the same injecting and squishing thing in her ear for another three days with the infusion. And at some point I will wash and thoroughly rinse the tip of her tail, and the back and front foot on the side of the infected ear because the mites can hang out there and reinfect the ear. Then (final stage!), in another 10 days, I’ll do it again with the rosemary infusion for three days–that catches anything that’s hatched.

Zippity will be much happier very soon!

P.S. I learned about natural health for dogs and cats from Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats (1982, Rodale Press) by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, and Susan Hubble Pitcairn.

P.P.S. 6/13 update: Mites are tenacious little buggers! I had to clean out her ears several times with witch hazel to get the gunk out, and continue rosemary oil treatment for more than three days.