Hey, guys. As I sit here and write, my heart is mourning for a reader who messaged me telling her story about how she lost three dogs in one year due to pesticide use. I have written about this in the past, but in her honor, I would like to discuss this a bit further with all of you today. I can’t imagine what she has gone through.

You might be thinking that pesticides don’t affect anything. And, I don’t blame you for thinking that way at all. As humans, we are inclined to view the immediate result rather than results over time. Sometimes there are immediate results.

I’ll be honest, I have always known pesticides were bad (as in not good for us), but I never realized exactly how bad the ingredients in these pesticides were until I started working with dogs who had been diagnosed with cancer.

IMMEDIATE RESULT

Some dogs react to pesticides immediately. In this case, you’d probably notice vomiting after your morning walk, or after she has rolled in the grass. Don’t be fooled, pesticides are not only in yours or your neighbor’s grass, but they are used all over the place. The playground, some dog parks, and the gardens in town have a high possibility of having used pesticides to maintain an appealing image.

In addition to being on the ground, researchers have found glyphosate in the air nearby the area involved, in the soil, and in the food both we and our dogs consume.

PROOF

If you do some research, unless you do some deep digging, you’ll probably find an article here or there that describes the effects of glyphosate. You may even find some lawsuits against the organization(s) that create the pesticides. What you won’t find is those intricate details; like how many people and dogs have actually died due to the effects of the ingredients in pesticides.

Due to how large the organization is who develops these pesticides, most research goes unpublished and unavailable for the public to view without some serious pushing.

AGENT ORANGE

When I am talking about pesticides, I always bring up Agent Orange. It’s an excellent reference, unfortunately. Agent Orange was used in the Vietnam War and World War II to kill the trees and underbrush so the enemy could not hide.

PESITICIDES TRAVEL

Even if you don’t use pesticides, your neighbors or the government might. There is a high possibility, unless you live far away from neighbors, your lawn has been contaminated with some type of herbicide or pesticide.

Either way, it’s always good to know what to look for. When glyphosate is consumed by your dog, you may notice the following symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, cardiac arrest. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately as some could be fatal.

LONG-TERM

Glyphosate does not always affect our dogs, or us immediately. Sometimes, it takes years to develop a condition due to exposure to glyphosate. Research-proven long term effects include kidney disease, liver disease, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and skin disease, among others.

HELP

If you’re interested in reducing the effects of pesticide/herbicide use, the first step you can take is to properly dispose of that Round-Up in your garage. Instead, search for products that do not contain glyphosate. To take it a step further, do a bit of research on the produce you choose prior to purchase.

Next, do your own research. We have not even skimmed the surface on this topic today. There is so much information out there. It’s all about being persistent and searching. If you would like a list I have compiled myself outlining research findings, please feel free to message me at amberldrake@dogbehaviorblog.org.

Wash all fruits and veggies prior to consumption. About 75% of the pesticides and herbicides found on your fruits and veggies can be eliminated by taking a few extra seconds to throw them under some water.

Finally, do your own research. Find out what you can. Then, share everything you have learned with others. Unfortunately, this is the best way to get the word out regarding the damaging effects of these poisons. But, with enough of us, we can make a difference

But, if you would ever like to discuss this further, don’t hesitate to message.

Until next time.