E-cigs and pets

[vegas_greaser]

Haven't been able to find anything on this yet, hopefully not a repeat.
Just wondering about the effects of Propylene Glycol (PG) based vapor on dogs and cats.I know PG can be toxic to cats if ingested, but what about the vapor?. any cat owners notice any effects on them from the vapor? We are about to take the plunge to e-cigarettes but don't want the PG vapor to make our 4 cats ill.

 

[swedishfish]

It can't be worse than cigarettes.

 

[Nightseer]

It can't be worse than cigarettes.

PG is poisonous to cats. Unless your cat is eating the tobacco-yes it can.


That said, no-haven't noticed any issues, however keep your stuff away from prying paws.....

 

[swedishfish]

I assume they were talking about exposure, not ingestion.

Passive smoking is not good for anyone and is especially harmful for your pets. Research shows that just as tobacco affects humans, it affects pets too. In fact, there have been studies to show that even the smallest amounts of second hand smoke can be damaging to your pet’s health. Almost thirty percent of all pets share their home with a smoker. Smokers are exposed to a variety of health risks and expose their families and pets to such kinds of health risks too. The toxins in tobacco smoke can trigger off allergic reactions or a number of respiratory diseases in animals. Some of the diseases that pets can develop due to exposure of second hand tobaccos smoke are asthma, lung cancer, nasal cancer, and lymphoma. Furthermore, the nicotine present in tobacco smoke can affect the nervous systems of the pets. Tobacco smoke also contains a number of carcinogenic compounds. Since studies have not been able to establish any safe levels of exposure to tobacco smoke, it is recommended that pet owners, who smoke, should do so outside of the house or away from their pets. The physiology of our pets is pretty similar to ours; therefore, all things that are toxic to us are also toxic to them.

Effects of Smoking and Cigarettes on Pets | Health Hazards of Smoke on Pets

 

[sweetblackkitten]

the only effects my 2 cats have shown is they want to be on my lap more.

i am making sure to keep my supplies away from them though, the same as with many other household items. just dont blow it in their faces man.

i dont think my cats are ingesting nicotine from my vaping. my oldest loved to steal and chew on analogs, it scared the (blank) out of me! so i think if he knew he could get nicotine out of my 808 he'd be all over it/me/the vapor. i hate admitting that i think my oldest was...never mind, he just really liked analogs...

 

[deadlichik]

I have 3 cats and have been vaping for two weeks. The cats (one of which is always in trying to get in my face) have shown no signs of illness or anything else for that matter. In fact the only difference in any of our pets is if i am vaping a particularly strong smelling liquid, the rats come out of their nest to sniff the air, and i occasionally get a kitty kiss on the nose =)

 

[vegas_greaser]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone! We are excited about our new e-cigs which will be here next week. Certainly will keep the juice locked away so they can't get to it.

 

[swedishfish]

Good luck! You're going to be so happy you did!

I hate to say this but I used to be able to smell cigarette smoke on my dog sometimes.

 

[Tol]

Only been about 2 weeks for me, but so far my cat shows no signs of being sick or anything like that. She has more active lately, and hangs around us even more. Not having to breathe smoke from my wife and I anymore is great for her. I'd say if she could talk, she would say Thank You.

I would just make sure your juice and equipment stays out of their reach. Clean up any spills right away, and wash your hands if you get juice on them, but that is just a general rule anyway, pets or no pets.

You and your cats are going to be much healthier now, congrats and welcome!

 

[Bengringo]

I have three cats and they all seem fine. I wouldn't worry about it too much. The smoke from ecigs tends to rise so if your not blowing it in there face they should be fine.

 

[deejay187]

Sorry.. but the OP's question has made me LOL.

 

[Bluesun62]

One of my dogs had allergies and was on prednisone when it got bad. Since vaping he has not had a break out. I'm hoping he was allergic to analogs. I have noticed that I do have to shove both of them off my lap with certain juices. BWB's 555 in particular. They love that one.

 

[Ardeagold]

INGESTING PG causes an anemia in cats called Heinz Body Anemia, but then again so do onions and other things. However, everything I've read says they have to ingest the PG.

Causes of Heinz Bodies in Cats

There are many substances that induce HzB formation in cats, with or without the development of anemia including: propofol, acetaminophen, onions (thiosulfates), propylene glycol (carbohydrate food source, preservative), benzocaine products, phenols, methylene blue (urinary antiseptic, IV contrast dye), d-L methionine, vitamin K3 (>2.5 mg/lb/day), phenazopyridine (urinary analgesic), naphthalene, zinc, and copper.5,10,11 These compounds, or their metabolites, all directly or indirectly result in the formation of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage. Increased HzB are also seen with systemic diseases in cats including, hepatic lipidosis, diabetes mellitus with or without ketoacidosis, hyperthyroidism, and malignant lymphoma. Propofol, consumption of onions (thiosulfates), acetaminophen, and propylene glycol will be discussed further

Propylene glycol (PG) is a common cause of HzB in cats. PG is a polyhydric alcohol used commonly as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceuticals, and as an inexpensive carbohydrate source in semi-moist foods for animals.3 PG does not directly cause oxidative damage. It is believed that adelhyde intermediates created during PG metabolism react with amino and sulfhydryl groups on the hemoglobin molecule.3 Cats fed PG at levels higher than what is typically found in commercial foods have a marked increase in HzB formation (up to 91% of RBCs affected), as well as other RBC abnormalities such as increased adhesion to surfaces, production of ghost cells, and increased membrane fragility.3 Studies have shown that cats on commercial PG-containing diets are more susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress induced by acetominophen administration, displaying increased HzB and methemoglobin formation, relative to cats on PG-free diets.11 This increased susceptibility may have important clinical consequences in the presence of endogenous oxidative stress as occurs with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, lymphoma, and hepatic lipidosis. The feeding of PG containing diets to cats should be avoided.

Heinz Body Anemia In Cats

 

[Ardeagold]

One of my dogs had allergies and was on prednisone when it got bad. Since vaping he has not had a break out. I'm hoping he was allergic to analogs. I have noticed that I do have to shove both of them off my lap with certain juices. BWB's 555 in particular. They love that one.

We actually mix PG with the dogs liquid HW medicine to make it taste better. Here's a snippet about dogs ingesting PG...funny thing is it's actually an article about the danger of dogs eating anti-freeze. It makes it clear that PG is much less dangerous than regular antifreeze, and a dog would have to ingest a good amount of it to even get sick.

Oh...and a lot of dog food has PG in it anyway

Animal Friendly Antifreeze?Engine Ice Propylene Glycol Anti Freeze

Fortunately there are less toxic alternatives to ethylene glycol now on the market. The antifreeze containing propylene glycol is the safer alternative and is apparently less appealing (less tasty) to animals.

Propylene glycol, although not entirely nontoxic, is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol and has been reported to affect the central nervous system but not the kidneys.

Tufts Veterinary Newsletter reported that a medium-sized dog would have to ingest about 20 ounces of propylene glycol before getting seriously ill. This is in contrast to the mere two ounces of ethylene glycol that can kill a pet.


Read more: Ark Animals » Blog Archive » Propylene Glycol: Anti Freeze & Pet Safety
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives

 

[boxhead]

vaping for 3 years and the 5 week old kat now 3 years old seems fine, wont go near roomate that smokes, but even i cant stand the cig smell from her, funny that....
this cat will watch the vapor trail with such intensenty i can only fear what she thinks...same kat will NOT let me talk on house radio phone, but cell phone has no effect on her...