Lawn Care Treatment

You are so correct.  Purdue University did a study (with Scottish Terriers).  Pesticides - which can include flea preparations - herbicides - such as Round up and fertilizers are all culprits.  I have a Scotty with Bladder Cancer.  Unfortunately she was exposed to Round up quite frequently - that was before she got diagnosed and I started researching.  So you are very wise to keep you fur baby off lawns.  Other than that washing a dogs paws after a walk won't hurt.

We need to spread the word.

 Karen

I would have to say flea shampoo and drops are just as harmful.  The shampoo although rinsed off will still be somewhat absorbed into the skin.  The drops work in that they are absorbed into the pets system so that when a flea bites it dies.  I live in AZ so fleas are not a problem, however, if I had to use something I would go with garlic in their food or in pill form, possibly Eucalyptus oil - these repel fleas - anything that will "kill" should be avoided. 

Karen

I agree the studies indicate that lawn chemicals definitely can have an affect on this cancer.  There also seems to be a strong genetic link as well (obviously every dog who steps on a treated lawn doesn't get TCC)There is a study at Purdue that is working on that connection. 

  www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,15120,0.htm

I think I just posted the link to the post on the cancer board that first alerted me to it.  You can participate by sending a blood sample  from your dog to them.  They are studying Westies and Scotties closely as these guys have a higher incidence of TCC and have a genetic breed link.

The Purdue people are happy to have samples from other breeds as well-- as comparison samples, I assume.  This study will not help our babies but it could be a help for others. And for all those mean people out there who don't  think we should be grieving so much for our pets, the findings at Purdue could  benefit humans as well.

I'm assuming they are still accepting samples, but you can contact them directly.

Marty 

The fleas get so bad down here in Louisiana that a couple of years ago I actually tried a flea collar on my little (then) 4 yr. old female Shih tzu, Luna. After about 7 days of having the collar on, she had a seizure. I removed the collar and washed her many many times but I couldn't get the smell off of her--- I knew that I had just poisioned my dog. She continued to have a seizure every other month or so for about a year.   This past saturday (12/15) we took her into the vet (for yet another UTI---she has had them annually since she was a pup) and they found a mass on the Ultrasound of her bladder. They said that it is either a blood clot or TCC but after all of this reading-- I think that it is more likely TCC. She just finished a course of anti-biotics (7 weeks) for a UTI found in September-- the ultrasound didn't show a mass at that time. If it is TCC- the tumor has grown fast and thus her prognosis doesn't sound good--- but I am devasted by the fact that I will prematurely lose my dog- but also that it may be because of my own actions.  Cytology report on a blood clot found in her urine is due mid-week. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is something other than TCC.     

Don't beat yourself up.  I used to live in Mississippi and I know how bad the flea problem is.  You were just trying to make Luna more comfortable and had faith that if something is sold it must be safe.  I am praying that it is not TCC.  There is another thread on this site with over 600 messages pertaining to TCC.  You will gain alot of knowledge and feel the compassion and support you need now.

Please help spread the word that all pesticides, herbicides and the like are deadly for our animals.

Karen