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Common Cosmetic, Anti-Microbial Agent Poses Risk To Pets
Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in cosmetics and skin washes, and it’s also supposed to have antimicrobial properties.
But, Dr. Sandi Sawchuk said that it poses a serious risk to pets. Sawchuk is a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
Sawchuk said she recently saw a young dog in the Vet School Clinic that had a rash on its abdomen. The owner asked about natural medications to use and she asked specifically about tea tree oil.
“This is something that a lot of humans use for treating acne and eczema, insect bites and all different kinds of things,” Sawchuk explained.
But natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe for pets. Sawchuk said that a recent veterinary report found 443 cases of tea tree oil toxicity in dogs and cats.
It might be surprising that a commonly used ingredient in a range of over-the-counter products could be that dangerous, but as Sawchuk explained, it’s all about how and how much the animal comes in contact with it.
With humans, “typically, if we apply it topically, we’ll just apply it to certain areas of our body,” she said.
But in the case of the puppy that she saw at the clinic, “she probably had a quarter of its body affected by this skin infection. So, if they started applying (tea tree oil) all over the dog’s body and then allowing the dog to lick it, there’s a very good possibility that the dog would have become neurologic, and even died.”
Sawchuk noted that both dogs and cats are susceptible to toxicity as the result of tea tree oil. The American Cancer Society includes both children and pets in their warning for the substance.
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, symptoms of dangerous levels of tea tree oil exposure in pets include:
- Low-body temperature
- Weakness
- Walking drunk or inability to walk
- Tremors
- Coma
- Increased liver enzymes
- Death
If an owner suspects that a pet has ingested tea tree oil, it’s important not to try to induce vomiting. Sawchuk explained that because this substance can cause neurologic problems, there is a risk that in the process, some of the vomit may be inhaled because their nervous system is compromised. Instead, Sawchuk said to contact a veterinarian or a poison control center and try to get them treated as soon as possible.
“Just because it might be safe for us to take certain drugs, or use certain cosmetic ingredients or certain therapeutic ingredients that you can buy over the counter, it may not be safe for our pets,” Sawchuk said.
If a pet owner uses a product on themselves, there is also a risk of transferring it to a pet inadvertently through petting or other physical contact. Checking with the pet’s veterinarian first before applying topical medications is always wise, whether it’s on the pet, or the person.
Episode Credits
- Larry Meiller Host
- Judith Siers-Poisson Producer
- Dr Sandra Sawchuk Guest
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