Are herbicides harmful to my dog?

Yes, according to a recently published study out of Purdue University. It found that Scottish terriers exposed to lawn treatments were four to seven times more likely to develop cancer of the bladder. The researchers chose this breed because of their familial predisposition to transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Other breeds were not included in the study. But a 1991 study linked lawn treatments to doubling the risk of developing malignant lymphoma in dogs in general. Though what neither study can determine is what ingredient within the herbicide is triggering the cancer. There’s a lot of finger-pointing at a compound called 2, 4-D, but since these herbicide/pesticide agents contain so called inert compounds that often comprise in excess of 50 per cent of the agent you buy, its also quite possible that these inert compounds are not so inert. What we do know from these studies is that some of the compounds contained in these agents are continually absorbed by the dog for up to a week after their yard is treated.

What can I do to prevent my dog from being exposed?

The simplest action is to stop trying to create a yard comprised of purely lush green grass – besides being a wholly unrealistic and unsustainable type of lawn in this province, you may end up preventing your trusted canine companion from developing life threatening cancer.

Dr. Jeffrey Person practices at the Delton Veterinary Hospital and cohosts the listener call-in show Pet Talk, heard every Sunday morning at 7 a.m. on AM630 CHED.