Hello Newcomer with Cat & ecig specific question

[FiveIronSox]

Hi guys,
After reading many of your posts, and reviews, I purchased a DSE901, and have enjoyed it for the past 4 days. I recently discovered the adverse effects that the e-liquids and pre-filled cartridges have on specifically cats (Hienz Anemia) . Because these liquids are primarily composed of Propylene Glycol, I've gotten rid of all the PG liquids and cartridges, cleaned out my atomizers as well as i possibly could, and ordered some Vegetable Glycerin liquid (johnson creek), which would be safe for use around cats/pets. MY question is- Because I vaped around my cat for a few days, will traces of the PG that I exhaled affect him in any way? And how much PG would the cat have to ingest till problems occur? I know I am being overly cautious, but better to be safe than sorry.. thanks for any help in advance

 

[CES]

from this link Heinz Body Anemia In Cats it looks like the danger *may* be more related to foods containing PG. Specifically that "Cats fed PG at levels higher than what is typically found in commercial foods have a marked increase in HzB formation"

 

[HaploVoss]

Not sure if this helps - But I've been using electronic ciggies, vaporizers, what have you for several years now and own 2 cats - neither of them have ever shown any problems and they go in for yearly checkups. Always come out with praise from the vet so.... I would not think that the minute amounts of PG left over in your vapor would have any effect on your cat, but I admire your concern for your cat and certainly am not about to tell you what you should do by any means.

Just thought I'd give you a fellow cat lover's experience.

Take care,
- Hap

P.S. - My wife also has been using e-cigs for the last year or so now. By all counts, with not having any issues to this point - I would imagine this would have to be a whole lot better for them than actual smoke.

 

[dee5]

Welcome to the forum! I have vaped PG based liquid with my cats sitting right on my lap for the past year with no adverse effects to them. They seem to want to smell it actually! Please see the link below for this article on a study done by Dr. Robertson of the Billings Institute in Chicago back in the 40's on PG. It's even here on the forum somewhere. I hope it will allay some of your fears.

PG is a germ-killing vapor

The research I could find about Heinz anemia seems concerned with PG in cat food that would be ingested not inhaled. Ingested would be in much greater quantities than inhaled. And of course, you could talk to your vet about it.

 

[FiveIronSox]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys- Hap, certainly nice to hear your response, that calms the nerves quite a bit lol. I've read several articles on the PG that they used to put in the foods, and in studies, within weeks the cats tested would begin showing signs of Hienz Body Anemia- its just nerve racking to think that perhaps over time using a ecig around them, it could affect a feline- but if youre saying you have had no bad experiences, then thats reassuring.

 

[FiveIronSox]

Just a follow up guys- what about e-liquid? When filling eliquid and there are occasional spilled drops and residue around the area, how do you clean the area? How can I effectively know thats the eliquid is cleaned up and I don't have to worry about the cats trying to ingest or lick it? or would they have to ingest quite a lot to be affected? I keep my supplies far away hidden out of reach, but I'm not sure about the residue on my hands and they things I might touch before cleaning them off

 

[sheep]

This is what I'm most worried about with my kitty, as she like to lick my hands and fingers while I'm asleep! I use alcohol wipes to clean my hands, and any surface that liquid has dripped onto, as well as the exterior of the carts, batteries etc.

 

[Kilroy]

I vape PG exclusively, but stay away from my cat while doing so. I keep my hands and surfaces clean. No problems to report. Just be aware of the issue and be responsible.

 

[FiveIronSox]

I vape PG exclusively, but stay away from my cat while doing so. I keep my hands and surfaces clean. No problems to report. Just be aware of the issue and be responsible.

Exactly, what would you use to keep everything clean? Alcohol or bacterial wipes? What negates or kills the harmful things in the eliquid?

 

[Katmar]

Fiveironsox,
You are to be commended for caring so much about your baby. I think she or he will be just fine, but it was wonderful and thoughtful of you to ask. Better safe than sorry, right?

 

[FiveIronSox]

Fiveironsox,
You are to be commended for caring so much about your baby. I think she or he will be just fine, but it was wonderful and thoughtful of you to ask. Better safe than sorry, right?

I think perhaps after we all contribute some answers and advice this thread should be stickied- there is very limited information about the
potential harms these liquids may cause to our pets- this is precisely the reason why I decided to ask such in depth questions from all of you who have had experience in the matter.

 

[bobtow]

I don't think that pc ingested and breathed has the same effect. It is always best to have a room for mixing that cats can't have access to. I do my mixing in the bathroom. That way if there is a spill, it can be cleaned up easily. It is good for self protection. If you spill some high mg nicotine on ones-self too. I usually do it in the sink. I also make sure the bathroom is closed, so the cats can't drink water from the toilet. It is possible that there is residue, from the harsh toilet bowl cleaners left under the rim of the bowl that can contaminate the water.

 

[sporkboy]

I have been vaping around my cat and no adverse effects, I just saw this today, my biggest concern with anything is the nicotine in the liquid and my cats or dogs getting into it. I am sure it is much worse of a the cats than the PG that has caused problems with food. If there were any known adverse affects I am sure that would also be all over with these people who are trying to ban e-cigs anyway.

 

[catlvr]

I have 5 cats and I have had no problems. I keep all my liquids put up while not in use. While mixing I do it on my small cart table that they don't bother. I wipe up any spills right away and keep my hands clean. I also make sure to throw away any used paper towels, q-tips etc... And I have a special under the table place for all my chargers so they can't lay on or play with them. Good to see you care so much for your baby.

 

[Kristique]

No problems with my cat over here. I don't really mix my own juices, but I do refill my carts frequently. I don't take any particular measure when I refill because I rarely have a spill. On the rare occasions that a drop or two wind up somewhere other than in my cart, I just wipe it up immediately with a paper towel and hit the spot with some mean green or whatever cleanser I have handy when I am done refilling.

My cat doesn't necessarily love the vapor, but she definitely prefers it over cigarette smoke. Back when I smoked cigarettes, she would immediately leave the room when I lit up. Now, she will be sitting on my lap, I will pick up my PV and take a few puffs and she just doesn't mind. I'm not sure if it is because she doesn't mind the smell of the vapor or if it is because the smell is not as strong as the smoke. She may just have an aversion to burning things!

Either way, she is happier, I am happier and we are both likely to stay healthier longer without cigarettes!

 

[FiveIronSox]

Bump need 15 posts to posts links

 

[FiveIronSox]

Sporkboy:
You're right, We should also be concerned about the nicotine in e-liquids and cartridges. I found a couple of informative articles about the toxicity levels of nicotine for both cats and dogs- Basically .5-1mg of nicotine per pound of body weight could prove to be toxic, and 4-5mg per pound of body weight could prove fatal.. *if ingested*. So I'm pretty sure we can all agree that 1ml of e-juice, which each equal to about 20 drops, is about the amount of nicotine found in your bottle per dose. In example: if I have a 15ml bottle of 18mg nicotine liquid, the total amount of nicotine content in the bottle would equal 270mg of nicotine (ouch). So in essence if you have a 10 lb cat, it would take only 50mg of nicotine to put them in danger- not even a quarter of the entire 15ml bottle. Please be sure to clean up any spills because this is poisonous stuff...

Here are the articles:

Cats:
Nicotine Toxicity in Cats
Dogs:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/nicotine-toxicity-in-dogs/page1.aspx