Tag Archives: cat

Terpene d-limonene, Safe on Pets?

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Be Careful with Citra-Solv, Orange TKO, and any other product tauting the use terpene or d-limonene of thinking that their advertisements of “all natural”, “nontoxic”, and “biodegradable” mean that they are completely safe. I have found many pet sites that rave about these cleaners that “are so safe you can use them on your pet”. I began using Citra-Solv to clean my bird’s cage when I came across a well known and trusted bird web site where the author claimed, “It is the only solvent safe for use on bird feathers, but it should be removed after it does its work.” But I have found that Citra-Solv and TKO-Orange, concentrated solvents made of these citrus byproducts, are mildly neurotoxic.

Citra-Solv contains Coconut diethanolamide (Mild skin and sever eye irritant. Reacts with nitrites to form highly potent carcinogenic nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have been shown to readily penetrate the skin.), Nonionic Surfactants (Eye irritant), Limonene fraction terpenes (Eye, skin and respiratory irritant. Mildly neurotoxic.).

Orange TKO An ad for Orange TKO in Birdalog states:

Orange TKO is a safe and effective bird cage cleaner and stain remover that is safe for your pets, plants, and the environment. Diluted for general cleaning you can use Orange TKO around you bird with complete confidence. In a concentrated form it is a fantastic stain remover. The citrus scent is derived from it’s natural ingredients, not harsh chemicals. TKO uses d Limonene to safely control mildew, odors, bacteria, and removed stains.

What they don’t mention is that d-limonene is an eye and skin irritant, sensitizer, neurotoxic, teratogenic, and there is suggestive evidence of carcinogency. D-limonene is used in some paints and pet flea control products. It is passed off as safe just like in the ad above yet can cause vomiting, nausea, salivation, muscle tremors, staggering, imbalance, and other symptoms of nervous system poisoning.

From http://www.nature.nps.gov/hazardssafety/toxic/turpenti.pdf (page 8 of 23)

Terpene cleaners are mildly neurotoxic. They are known to cause respiratory distress and/or irritation and that “pleasant citrus fragrance” can very quickly become nauseating. There is a controversy about the carcinogenicity of D-Limonene. One preliminary study linked D-limonene to testicular cancer in male rats.

From http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ Erythema multiforme major and disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in a dog 24 hours after exposure to a d-limonene-based insecticidal dip. Clinical signs included severe lethargy and weakness, ulceration of the oral mucosa, and erythematous serpiginous, annular, and arciform lesions on the head, trunk, and limbs. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included leukocytosis with neutrophilia, normocytic normochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, prolongation of prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, increased fibrin degradation products, hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, azotemia, high serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, and high serum bilirubin concentration.
[Rosenbaum MR, Kerlin RL; J Am Vet Med Assoc 207 (10): 1315-9 (1995) ]**PEER REVIEWED** PubMed Abstract

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ There is a diverse group of hydrocarbons that induce a specific spectrum of nephropathic alterations. Examples include d-limonene, an aromatic hydrocarbon. Only male rats develop kidney alterations upon exposure. Other mammals such as female rats, mice, guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys evidently are refractory to kidney injury upon exposure. The male rat hydrocarbon nephropathy should not be predictive of a normal human renal response.
[Alden CL; Toxicol Pathol 14 (1): 109-11 (1986) ]**PEER REVIEWED*

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ d-Limonene administered to dogs at 1.2-3.6 mL/kg/day for 6 months caused frequent vomiting and nausea and decrease in body weight, blood sugar and cholesterol. No significant change was observed in organs except in the kidney.
[Tsuji M et al; Oyo Yakuri 9 (5): 775 (1975) ]**PEER REVIEWED**

If a product has a warning against using on some plastics or can cause the rubber gloves used while cleaning to deteriorate I don’t want anything to do with them. I mixed Citra-Solv according to the directions to clean my floors.The first time I used the cleaner: After I finished cleaning I took the gloves off, and the tips of some of the fingers came off. I dismissed it as a faulty pair of gloves.

The second time: I had finished part of my cleaning and left a new pair of gloves in the bucket and returned one hour later to find my gloves were deformed.

I highly recommend using something else to clean pet cages with and definitely don’t use Citra-Solv or TKO-Orange ON pets. If your pet has something sticky on their fur or feathers try using peanut butter to remove it! As for a good general cleaner refer to my Safer Cleaning Substitutes post.

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Spay and Neuter Your Pets!

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Think About This …

• Every day 60,000 more puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. than people.
• Each year 10-12 million animals are euthanized in shelters for lack of homes.
• In six years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs.
• In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats.
• Purebreds account for 30% of all shelter animals. Just because an animal has “papers” doesn’t mean it should be bred.

Before you breed a pet to “see the miracle of birth,” you should “see the truth” about pet overpopulation. Visit a local shelter.

Spay or neuter your pet. It is the single most important thing you can do to prevent animal cruelty.

This low-cost surgery offers many benefits.

If you cannot afford to spay/neuter you can’t afford that pet!

If you have a large-breed puppy the sooner you get it done the cheaper it’ll be (smaller dose of anesthesia). I believe six weeks is the youngest vets can perform this surgery. If your vet insists on waiting until your healthy pet is six months old – go to another vet! That is an old standard. It is much better to have it done sooner, especially in the case of male cats…unless you like it when they spray urine all over you.

Peace of Mind

Did you know that a spayed or neutered (sterilized) animal is better behaved?

Males

Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of a mate, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. They mark territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting furniture and human legs when stimulated. Don’t confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness; a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an un-neutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Females

While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the following signs when in heat: for four or five days, every three weeks, they yowl and urinate more frequently — sometimes all over the house — advertising for mates. Often, they attract un-neutered males who spray urine around the female’s home. Female dogs also attract males from great distances. Female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.

Canines not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than sterilized ones.

Good Medicine

Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life?

Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) are veterinary procedures performed with the same general anesthesia used in human medicine. Both surgeries usually require minimal hospitalization.

Neutering a male cat or dog by 6 months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer; having this done before the first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female cats. With an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complicated and costly.

Responsible Care

Did you know that you can help prevent the suffering and death of countless animals?

One cat or dog who has babies and whose babies have babies can be responsible for the birth of 50 to 200 kittens or puppies in one year! Almost everyone loves puppies and kittens, but some people lose interest when these animals grow up. As a result, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays can die painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars.

Just the Facts, Please

Myth: A female cat or dog should have a litter before she is spayed.

Fact: Many veterinarians are practicing perfectly safe early sterilization. The likelihood of developing mammary tumors or uterine infections increases the longer a female goes unspayed. In fact, a female spayed before sexual maturity (6 to 9 months of age) has one seventh the risk of an intact female of developing mammary cancer. Spaying a female eliminates the chances of developing pyometra, as the uterus is removed at surgery. In dogs, spaying before the first heat cycle is virtually 100% effective in preventing breast cancer. Not quite as good in cats, but almost!

I don’t think the myth of needing one litter comes from a safety fear but from a people projecting their desires to be a parent. As far as anyone knows, dogs do not grieve their lost capability to reproduce like a human might. Dogs reproduce to ensure survival of their kind, not to nurture a pup for 18 years, watch it go off to college, establish a career, marry, become pillars to the community, and produce grandchildren. Female dogs nurse their pups for a few weeks, teach them doggy social skills, and move on. Male dogs have no fatherly duties, and do not recognize pups as their own.

Many men carry a macho Neanderthal attitude towards neutering their male dogs again; they’re projecting their own feelings of inadequacy about the loss of reproductive ability on their manly dogs. These men usually buy their dog as a trophy or manly symbol and should really look into getting a sports car or monster truck instead.

Myth: Spaying or neutering (sterilization) will alter my pet’s personality.

Fact: Any slight changes will be positive. Regardless of the age when spayed or neutered, your pet will remain a caring, loving and protective companion. Neutering will reduce the need to breed, and that has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting and lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

Myth: Companion animals will become fat and lazy if they are neutered.

Fact: Absolutely not! Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy — not neutering. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Neutering is good for your pet, since sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

Myth: Sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for my pet.

Fact: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Myth: Children should witness the miracle of birth.

Fact: Countless books and videos are available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is teaching your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

If you want your children to witness the miracle of birth, volunteer as a foster home at one of your local animal rescues. I’m sure they will happily provide a pregnant cat or dog that you will be responsible for until their puppies or kittens are weaned (about six weeks old). Usually the rescue will even let you keep one of the kittens or puppies that you fostered.

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Northwest Airline’s Apology

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After receiving an apology from Northwest Air Kurt and I responded to the BBB and NWA with this letter…

I have received your letter containing a letter of apology, a copy of rules for traveling with pets and a travel voucher for $200. You stated that “from your personal experience great emphasis is placed on the read back of all reservation information”. I can assure you that no mention of a health certificate was made on any of the three occasions that Kurt spoke with Northwest employees over the phone. Nor was any mention made of it two years prior when we first traveled with our cat. At that time, Kurt informed the Northwest employee taking the reservation that we had never traveled with a pet before and asked if there were any special requirements. I hope this incident causes Northwest airlines to revise its training so that all customers are informed of pertinent rules such as the necessary health certificate.

While the letter of apology is appreciated, the voucher will be of no use to us. First of all, it is issued in my name only; Even though my boyfriend, Kurt ****, is the one who bought the tickets for our ill-fated trip. This voucher is non-transferable and can only be used by me. No compensation is being made to Kurt at all. This voucher also expires within one year. We only travel during Christmas time. The voucher says TCV seats may be limited. Currently, Kurt has over 80,000 frequent flyer miles. He has attempted to use frequent flyer miles to book our Christmas vacations for the last two years to no avail. Even booking the trip three months in advance, there were no available frequent flyer seats for any flights within a week of Christmas. If the use of this TCV is anything like that, I doubt it will be of use to us before it expires. Moreover, this voucher is insufficient to purchase one complete ticket to most destinations, let alone one for each of us. In other words, with the use of this voucher we will still have to pay $300-$400 out of pocket for a pair of tickets. It seems like an insult to me that your “apology” does nothing but force us to give more business to your company. If your apology were sincere you would send us a complete refund of the $586 Kurt spent on the tickets. Another acceptable apology would be a voucher for Kurt and I that would cover the complete cost of two airline tickets that would not expire in a year.

This would be acceptable repayment for (1) the inconvenience of a 24 hour delay, (2) the stress and aggravation caused by your employees treatment of us, (3) the added $45.95 expense to visit a vet in Madison in order to get the health certificate, (4) the inconvenience of arranging an extra nights stay as well as (5) transportation to a veterinarian and (6) back to the airport, and (7) the added expense of boarding our two dogs and our parrot for an extra day in Seattle. All of this could have been avoided if the Northwest employee taking our reservation would have mentioned the need for a health certificate for our cat and not the employee taking our tickets at the gate on our flight back home.

As I mentioned in my last letter: If any of the operators had informed us that a health certificate was necessary, we could have, and would have postponed our October 29th (that’s one day after our reservations were made) vet visit to a date closer to our departure and received the certificate for no extra charge and a lot less misery.

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Northwest Air

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Copy of a letter I wrote to the Better Business Bureaus regarding Northwest Airlines…

The first time we flew with the cat (Dec 2000) we made a point of asking what special requirements were necessary to fly with our cat in the cabin. The person on the phone only indicated that there was an extra fee for the cat and that the carrier must fit under the seat. The person also said that we would have to make a reservation for the cat as soon as possible if we wanted him in the cabin with us since they have a rule restricting the number of pets in the cabin. No mention of a health certificate was made at all. We flew with the cat to our destination and back without any incident involving the cat. No one asked for any health certificate on either leg of the trip.

This year we were told two different fee amounts, and other then the fee we were not given any further rules regarding pets.

The flight to our destination went without incident. Again, no one asked for a health certificate for our cat. However, on our return trip the ticket agent told us that we needed to have a health certificate. We informed the agent that we flew with the cat 2 weeks ago from Seattle, and didn’t need a health certificate. He told us that they must have “dropped the ball”. Another ticket agent R. Krueger stepped in and told us that they were not even required to inform us of this requirement. He said it was only done as courtesy.

We were not able to board the plane. Because of this we had stay an extra night in Wisconsin as well as arrange for transportation to a local vet and to the airport the following day.

The vet visit was $45.95, and merely consisted of me filling out some information on a form and the vet transposing information from our cat’s health records. Our cat’s shots were administered one day after Kurt made our reservations. If any of the operators had informed us that a health certificate was necessary, we could have postponed our October 29th vet visit to a date closer to our departure and received the certificate for no extra charge and a lot less misery.

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