The concern isn’t just for radiation exposure for themselves, but also for their pets. VIN News‘ Edie Lau has the answer: While the question of whether or not it’s necessary for human use may be up for debate, there’s currently no indication that it’s a good idea for pets.
“I don’t know that anybody knows what is a reasonable dose of iodine for dogs and cats to prevent damage from ionizing radiation,” said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, a toxicology consultant at VIN formerly with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center. “The only studies … have been done in humans.”
In the case of a true nuclear emergency and assuming supplies of potassium iodide were adequate to justify distribution to animals as well as people, Plumb said, veterinarians would be left to extrapolate from dosages for children the levels for veterinary patients.
(Dosages for children range from 16.25 mg every 24 hours for newborns; to 65 mg every 24 hours for youngsters ages 3 to 12.)
However, determining medication levels for pets based on human dosages can be tricky business, Gwaltney-Brant cautioned.
“We know that many times, the doses that work in humans aren’t the same as doses in dogs and cats,” she said. “There may be a difference in how they absorb it (and) how they eliminate it.”
Dr. Michael Kent, a University of California, Davis faculty veterinarian who specializes in radiation cancer therapy, is more unequivocal: don’t do it.
“While potassium iodide might help protect dogs, cats and other pets, as it would people, from the risks of radiation exposure in the unlikely event that radioactive iodine reaches here in appreciable levels, giving it ahead of time carries risks and would be ill advised,” Kent said.
He cautioned that side effects for pets taking potassium iodide — especially if they consume too much — include severe allergic reactions; gastrointestinal upsets including vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia; decreased normal thyroid function; and damage to the heart. At high enough levels, potassium iodide can even cause death.
In other words, please do what you can to help Japan’s people (and pets), but don’t dose your own pets with iodide out of a concern that they are in danger.
Viral dog video questioned: Staying on the topic of the disaster in the Pacific, you’ve no doubt seen this video that went viral in the wake of the catastrophe. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch intimates that we shouldn’t necessarily assume the entire ensuing story is accurate.
The value of animal-assisted therapy: My mother sent me this New York Times story about the importance of animals assisting in the therapy process. She noticed, of course, that the first expert quoted in the piece was our own Dr. Marty Becker. What I found even more fascinating was that the Mars Company is funding multiple research studies looking into the value of animals in the therapeutic process, including:
The effects of therapeutic horseback riding on children and adolescents with autism. If safe and effective, riding is less invasive than medications used to treat common symptoms like irritability and hyperactivity.A large epidemiological study to document the overall public health effects on children and adolescents of living with dogs and cats.A study to determine whether therapy animals can help children with behavior disturbances attributed to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder develop better self-regulation, self-esteem and social behavior.Studies using survey and genetic tools to help select the most effective cats or cat breeds to work with autistic children.
Let’s hope there are some solid numbers on their way in the future.
The sighted leading the blind: Terrific tale from the Daily Mail about a blind man and his guide dog. It gets more interesting when the guide dog loses his sight. What happens next? A new guide dog.
RIP Lloyd Gluck: Thanks to Mary Cvetan for the notice on the recent passing of Mr. Lloyd Gluck of Pittsburgh. You may not know the name, but the obituary from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette paints the portrait of an extraordinary life well lived. Pet lovers everywhere owe Mr. Gluck a large debt of gratitude. Our condolences to his family, and to his longtime friends and colleagues at Animal Friends.
Very pricey pooch: Got a million bucks burning a hole in your pocket? That still wouldn’t come close to buying the world’s most expensive dog. Of course, as Dogster‘s Maria Goodavage points out, it wouldn’t be enough for a certain wedding gown, either.
You wouldn’t treat a child that way, right? I’m a big fan of videos that make you think. This one certainly qualifies.
A picture from the tragedy that lends hope: The picture below depicts a Japanese man receiving his rescued dog. I found it on icanhascheezburger, but it appeared first on Seattle DogSpot. The original post contains one of my favorite quotes from Emily Dickinson,
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.”
see more dog and puppy pictures
In the face of unimaginable pain, may the good people of Japan never lose hope.
I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories. Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet,send me an e-mail.
Image files: Nuclear rods, wpclipart.com.
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