Thursday

Go Non-Toxic

SUBSTANCES: A BASIC GUIDE

*HOUSEHOLD & GARDENING SUBSTANCES*
Please use non-toxic stuff. I can't stress its importance. We suspect Simon's cancer catalyst was an bottle of anti-weed spray that the previous residents left and we used on our backyard, where Simon lounged, played and grazed. It contained a substance we later discovered was a known carcinogen.

*TOYS*
Look for toys made of non-toxic materials and azo-free dyes. Do not buy toys your dog can easily ingest. Even non-toxic things are not meant to be ingested and you don't want to add yet another bout of illness for your dog. If your dog is an avid chewer, don't get toys your dog can easily tear or break off pieces. If possible, monitor all toy-play sessions.

*AIR QUALITY*
Pollution, indoor and outdoor, is a problem. You don't know if poor air quality is the catalyst to your dog's cancer, but you know it isn't healthy. Walk your dog before morning traffic and late-night. Use non-toxic substances at home. Open windows (preferably overnight) to air out your house. Open windows when cleaning your house.

*VACCINATIONS*
On the one hand, you don't want to add to your dog's health problems by withholding vaccines and risking infection. On the other hand, you don't want to over-vaccinate because over-vaccination may be linked to cancer. Rabies vaccination is a particularly touchy subject. The vaccine's effect has been shown to last in the body for seven years, but most jurisdictions require vaccination every 2-3 years. Ask your vet to administer a titer test to check the rabies antibodies in your dog. If the antibodies are abundant enough, your dog doesn't need the vaccine and you should have no problem with your city government dog license.

*FLEA CONTROL DURING CANCER*
We had no problem with flea control. The key is to buy a reputable brand from a reliable company and stay away from anything that sounds excessive. We tend to use European and Canadian standards as guidelines; we stay away from substances banned there.