Pet Care Advice – In Your Yard & In Your Home
An Interview with Jerrold L. Swan, DVM
By Sara Hoblitzell, KCMGA
Dr. Swann lives in Charleston and has been the owner of the Kanawha City Veterinary Hospital since 1975.
SH: Have you had any pets come in that you could definitely diagnose as having an illness related to lawn care products?
JS: I do see pets that have problems related to the use of lawn care products. As far as a direct relation to lawn care services, I have to say no. A definitive diagnosis of some internal problems with hepatitis or gastritis due to lawn care – we’re talking about week-to-week lawn care services - no.
Certainly animals (dogs and cats) will have toxicities developing when they are in a yard and something is put down that is still wet – whether from a lawn care company or by the homeowner as far as fertilizing with a garden hose or a dry form. If it is wet it will stick to the feet and then the animal will lick their feet and ingest these herbicides and insecticides and then you will certainly have a problem.
SH: What kind of symptoms would you look for?
JS: Well, usually, neurological – a lot of shaking, salivating, pupils dilated, maybe seizures if it’s really bad. Gastric problems like vomiting, diarrhea as time goes on. That’s if they get a pretty good dose of it.
SH: Wouldn’t the owner need to bring in the product that was used? We talked previously and you mentioned that in order to test, the lab would have to know what specific ingredients to look for – they couldn’t do a blind testing and come up with what ingredient actually poisoned the animal.
JS: Exactly –if a toxicology lab wants to run a test for an organic phosphate or chlorinated hydrocarbon or something like that, then you have to specify that when you send the sample off – you can’t just send the sample and say “check it for toxins” – there are too many things to look for.
SH: Do you think part of the reason you may not be seeing lots of cases is that pet owners generally seem to be aware of these issues?
JS: I think so.
SH: What should a pet owner be aware of in applying chemicals?
JS: There is usually no harm if the owner keeps the pet off the lawn for a specified amount of time – these should be given on the manufacturer’s label. That applies to anything – even insecticides that are put directly on the animal by the owner for flea control. If the product is ingested, the animal will get sick and have some problems. This is for cats or dogs - if the product is not applied carefully and the cat or dog can get to it or if the owner doesn’t know the cat has gotten to it, then the animal may get sick. As far as lawn care companies, after it is dry, then there doesn’t seem to a problem, if a product is being put on the lawn week after week and you have a beautiful lawn and then someone becomes ill, either an animal or a human, it is hard to tie those together.
SH: This is not to single out lawn care companies, as more often, individuals putting fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on their own tend to overdo.
JS: Exactly – people tend not to follow directions. They say, “Well let’s get this out here and spray it on” – that happens a lot.
SH: Do you see poisoning cases that are the result of chemicals kept in the house – like dishwasher detergent, laundry detergents, soaps, etc.
JS: Yes, usually, although this is not in large doses. I see animals that get small doses of something and they may get sick or have some shakiness. Usually, the damage is reversible.
SH: How quickly does the pet owner need to react and what should they do?
JS: If an animal ingests an insecticide or organic phosphate, it will react pretty quickly – the symptoms will show up very shortly, probably within 15-20 minutes. Then it behooves the owner to get care as soon as they can and not just say, “Oh, it will pass” as it may not and it will continue to get worse. The animal should be taken to their vet or to an emergency care facility if after hours. It is important to bring the product along so the veterinarian can see the ingredients. Treatment usually requires an intravenous injection as an anecdote for the particular toxin, and the owner can’t do at home.
SH: Are animals different from people in terms of what the label might say to do – say, if the label says induce vomiting for a child, would you do that for a pet?
JS: Probably. I don’t think there is anything there that would be any different. Some things don’t cause harm when regurgitated.
SH: How do you induce vomiting?
JS: Hydrogen peroxide is probably one of the most common ways. Just get a few tablespoons down and that will usually work. I’ve heard that table salt will work – a little thrown in the back of the throat will work. That may be hard to do – it’s a little easier to get a liquid down. Syrup of ipecac is used for humans and parents may have that on hand if they have small children and that can be used in a pet – that works very well. Mustard – dry mustard - will do it. Peroxide is probably the best and is something that people are most likely to have on hand.
SH: In your home or yard, what would you consider the most serious chemical or pesticide?
JS: Ethylene glycol toxicity - that’s the one that’s in antifreeze – we do see that one often.
SH: Is it a quick reaction and is it fatal?
JS: No, they lap it up and seemingly are OK, but they are not going to be. The problems are down the road 3-5 days. Death will ensue quicker in a cat – it destroys the kidneys. I a dog, it will take a little more time
SH: What about chocolate?
JS: Dogs have to take a lot of it, not just a chocolate chip cookie. A little dog that weighs 5-10 pounds and eats a box of chocolates will be sick and need to be hospitalized. A bigger dog, lab size, may eat a handful and might not have a problem. We do get lots of animals sick every year especially around the holidays – Valentine’s Day in particular. This is limited to gastrointestinal problems and rarely death, although it can happen.
SH: One other aspect, my dogs eat grass and then occasionally throw it up – why?
JS: Dogs generally eat grass because of an irritated gastric tract - whether from intestinal parasites or an upset stomach from different foods. A lot of them will eat and then vomit and that supposedly clears out the stomach. Some animals just keep eating grass and get into a routine of eating and vomiting, etc. This can cause dehydration. The grass gets in the stomach and breaks down and causes diarrhea. It’s not a good idea to let the animal continually eat grass Cats also eat grass, some don’t have a problem and some will throw it up, too. It’s not that it’s that toxic, they just eat too much of it.
SH: If they eat a lot, is this from some type of imbalance?
JS: No, not necessarily. Some animals are just fascinated by looks and taste – grasses waving in the wind or walking in tall grass – it’s all enticing.
SH: Thank you very much.