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Paws & Claws

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas. She lives in Blacksburg now, and answers local pet owners' questions every week in The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com.

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Q We have a professional lawn care company that treats our lawn on a regular basis. We are told not to let our dogs out on the lawn for several hours unless there is a good rain. We read that lawn chemicals can cause cancer in dogs. Is this true?

A Exposures to herbicides that contain dioxin have been shown to increase the risk of lymphoma in dogs, although this finding is considered somewhat controversial. The risk is small but significant. It has been suggested that there is an increased risk for dogs if they live near a golf course where herbicidal products are extensively used.

The problem with dogs is that it is not just a question of walking on the treated grass, but that they also roll on the grass and sometimes eat anything they might find there. Following exercise, dogs may indulge in extensive licking of the feet and fur, so any toxic substances are easily swallowed. As far as I know there has been no evaluation done on the dose of the herbicide and an increase incidence of cancer. To be on the safe side, follow your lawn care company's recommendations.

Q I am a Realtor and recently went to check on a house I am listing. I was threatened by two dogs in the yard that would not let me get back in the car. Luckily, the owner came home and called off the dogs. What should I have done?

A A dog naturally protects not only his owner but also its home territory. When a dog's owner is not present, it feels doubly protective of the home and yard when a stranger appears. It is common for dogs to threaten or even attack the stranger, especially if there are two of them as they give each other confidence. In these circumstances, discretion is the better part of valor.

If you know the owner is not home and the dogs are roaming free in the yard and appear to be somewhat aggressive by barking or growling, do not go in. Dogs quickly pick up on any hesitation or fear on your part, and it makes them bolder. In your situation, the best approach would have been to walk firmly to your car, ignoring the dogs and trying not to show any fear or dismay. Do not scream or run, as this will excite them further. Speak calmly and in a deep voice.

I always tell children that if menaced by a dog, to stand quite still and in most cases the dog will lose interest and move away, allowing them to walk slowly and quietly away in the opposite direction.

Q Please warn owners of both dogs and cats not to use dog anti-flea medication on their cat. I just did, and now I am no longer a cat owner, sadder but wiser.

A Permethrin is the substance often used in spot-on products that are applied topically to kill fleas. Unfortunately it can also be toxic to cats. In low concentrations, permethrin products are safe to be used on cats.

Permethrin products formulated for use on dogs may contain between 45 percent and 65 percent of the active ingredient and at that strength are lethal to cats. If you treat your dog for fleas, be sure not to let it come into close contact with the cat and transfer some insecticide.

Before using any insecticide on your dog or cat read the label carefully. If it does not specifically say that it is safe for use in cats, do not apply it to your cat. If the product contains 45 percent or more permethrin, do not use it on your cat or on dogs if there are cats in the household.

If you think your cat may have been poisoned with a permethrin product, contact your veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of poisoning may include loss of balance, muscle tremors, vomiting and seizures.