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Old 11-06-2010, 11:47 AM
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Default Re: Cats in Apartments

Poison - Hidden dangers

Quote:
Last summer Frances launched a one-woman campaign to have a warning included on every bottle of Dettol. Supported by the vet who had treated Harry and by her local MP, she contacted Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturers of Dettol and outlined her concerns. In October she heard that her lobbying has been successful and the company promised that warning labels would be included 'within six months'. Frances hopes that Reckitt Benckiser's positive attitude will also be adopted by other manufacturers of products containing phenols.

Frances said:'‘Any positive eventual outcomes are a memorial to Harry, a very special cat.'

Alex Campbell of the Veterinary Poisons Information Service commented: 'We very much welcome the news about additional label information for these products. Phenol and some phenolic compounds and coal-tar acid derivatives used in some disinfectants, specialist soaps and wood treatments, such as creosote, are potentially problematic in many animals especially if the exposure is significant. Cats, birds and some reptiles are known to have a particular sensitivity to these compounds. As acid derivatives phenolic compounds are potentially corrosive and prolonged skin exposures can cause severe skin irritation or burns. If the animals ingest or groom material off contaminated skin they may develop irritation or burns of the mouth and tongue as well. They may therefore vomit or salivate excessively. In severe exposures such substances could be absorbed across damaged skin and cause systemic signs such as breathing difficulties, hyperthermia or even shock. Luckily severe cases are very rare, but so are animal specific warnings on such products and therefore this commitment by a major manufacturer like Reckitt Benckiser is most laudable.'

extracted from http://www.fabcats.org/owners/poisons/article.html
So, if you use Dettol to mop your floor, or any floor cleaning detergent, for that matter, please make sure that the floor is ABSOLUTELY DRY before letting your cats out.
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