Eddie's Blog
About Eddie: I'm a dog on a mission. With your help, I'm going to change legislation in the U.S. to make sure chemicals are safe before they're put on the market. Read more or contact Eddie.
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The low-down on a dirty flea treatment
Recently a big study made the news linking autism with a certain kind of insecticide called pyrethrins. I'd read about pyrethrins before -- believe it or not, they were in an article about "safe, natural flea and tick treatments."
Safe and natural my furry behind! Some scientists think that small exposures to this stuff (which is made from chrysanthemums), before a baby is even born, can trigger autism. Meanwhile, lots of humans are actually bathing their pets in it! Can you imagine?
So I did what comes naturally: I did some digging. Turns out that exposure to too much pyrethrin can cause toxic effects in cats and dogs, including muscle tremors, vomiting, and even seizures. Pups like me are mostly exposed through our skin, but cats also swallow the chemical when they groom themselves. Just because it comes from a plant doesn't mean it's safe!
On top of that, there are synthetic versions of pyrethrin like permethrin. Permethrin is more potent and doesn't break down as easily. It's very toxic to cats, so it's only for use on dogs -- but I don't think I'd want to use something that was so dangerous for Cleo.
If a pet shows signs of pyrethrin poisoning, his humans should bathe him in lukewarm water and called the vet immediately. I'm doing research right now for a post about better alternatives for battling fleas. I'll let you know when I find out more!
I did a post awhile ago about making a rosemary tea to bathe your pets and prevent fleas and ticks. I'm growing rosemary this year so I can give it a try.
Ooh, plus rosemary smells so nice. It's like doggie cologne!
I used to dip my dogs for fleas and ticks using pyrethrin based dip back in the 60's and 70's. I haven't done the research because it's way too late and there are too many other factors that may have contributed but now I have Multiple Sclerosis. I have thought for a long time that this exposure might have been the trigger or at least contributory.
Check out the "Fleeing from Fleas" bookmark on the Center for Environmental Oncology of the University of Pittsburgh's website (www.preventingcancernow.org). It suggests some safe alternatives to treating fleas! And we'd be happy to send you a copy for free or you can download it from the website. The direct link to the bookmark pdf is: http://www.environmentaloncology.org/files/file/Publications/Flea-Bkmark... Thanks!
the rosemary dip works GREAT! we bathe our boys in Only Natural Pet's herbal shampoo and conditioner followed by rosemary rinse and finally, a quick spray with their flea defense spray -- all herbs.
they've been advantix free for about 2 months now and no fleas. It also takes some dedicated weekly vacuuming and simple grooming. better than filling your pet and you with nasty chemicals.
WARNING.....WARNING.....PLEASE.... don't use Diatomaceous Earth as a flea treatment!!
In the film industry, we are taught to use Diatomaceous Earth as a dirt powder on costumes, the reason we use it is because it attaches itself to the clothes and can be seen, but we are given instructions from our union to only apply it while wearing a respirator and AWAY from people!!
DE is like asbestos in that, once it is in your lungs, it NEVER leaves. It has tiny little spikes that attaches to your lungs.( It is prehistoric earth, after all! )
I have the cutest little diagram of what a Diatomaceous Earth segment looks like...and it is not what you want to be breathing in!!!
Hope this helps. I NEVER apply it without a mask!!
(and 'm not referring to Fuller's Earth, another toxic dirt powder used in film to make clothing look dirty, which should be avoided, too!!).
I've been using Advantix -- the rosemary stuff is mentioned for fleas, but what about ticks? For a couple of summers (before we Advantix came out) our house was infested with seed ticks, because one or two adult female(s) escaped our notice, and laid her eggs in the house. That is NOT a healthy thing, either!!!
Don't waste you time growing Rosemary. Just go to Las Vegas. Rosemary hedges surround the Monte Carlo Casino. I walked by the hedge and just drug my hand over it, then put my hand to my face and smelled..... Rosemary... Surprize surprize...
Don't have to grow rosemary... just buy the essential oil and work with it (but know how as it affects people in significant ways, too). My company makes a product that emulsifies fleas and ticks and I am so proud of the ingredients that here they are....it's the fatty acids that emulsify the fleas and ticks.
Ingredients: Purified water, fatty acids, coconut oil, folic acid, minerals, enzymes derived from edible and seed bearing plants.
Feel free to contact.
What about for kitties? They're not supposed to have essential oils on their skin. I've had a hard time finding natural shampoos and conditioners for cats. For dogs, they're everywhere.
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