Glade Plug-Ins/Pthalates AIHA in Dogs

[Rey C]

I just lost my rescued 10 or 11 yr old  rescued Boxer who I had loved for about 3 years possibly to AIHA, didn’t get bloodwork until it was too late,but it revealed AIHA but she already had some form of cardiomyopathy. She was happy and playful until the last three days or so , I was cooking for her more than ever and bringer her food from anywhere I thought she could eat, trying to get her to eat the last day had no idea though I don’t think I could have put her through so many rounds of prednisone at her age pr transfusions, since  she became so anemic but already was being treated for ascites and heart issues with and the vet detected a heart murmur the day before. She died peacefully and suddenly with me here. I am wondering if any other people’s dogs have AIHA and had Glade Plug-Ins or any Plug in type air fresheners.? I read part of a study finding a  compound  that is realesed into the air as phthalates from these plug – ins being a mimic of the same structure of the anti-bodies that attack immune systems in mice.  I know I had forgotten that I left one on through march not realizing it. The study was trying to correlate Lupus in Mice being cause by them to humans.

[Patrice]

Rey,

I am so sorry to read about your Boxer. You will find friends here to help you through the sadness.

Boxers can have a inherited defect that causes a form of heart disease called cardiomyopathy in addition to a heart murmur. This can cause an irregular heartbeat which can lead to syncopes  (fainting) from lack of blood to the brain.

Over time congestive heart failure will develop and that can lead to other organ problems. You mentioned ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. As the kidneys begin to have more trouble because of heart failure they can fail to remove all the wastes from the blood that they should. These wastes in the blood cause something called azotemia. This relates to problems with appetite and an overall poor condition. Dogs with heart conditions fail to thrive and lose interest in eating. It is very discouraging and I have been through this with Chance.

It is very likely your Boxer had a form of anemia that is related to illness and kidney failure. The kidneys are very much involved in stimulating bone marrow to make new blood cells.

It is indeed also possible that she had a form of autoimmune disease that was  attacking red blood cells if, in fact, your vet says the blood test showed this.

What is not directly related is your information about the glade plugins. I have just read some studies and reassured myself that the quantity of di-n-butyl phthalate required to possibly cause endocrine disturbances appears to be many tens of thousands times higher than the average home would have. There is no conclusive evidence so far that this is a danger in the average home. Most of this stuff that is ingested is excreted in the urine and feces within less than a day.

Please do not be overeager to blame yourself for what happened to your Boxer. However, that said, we all do the same thing, blame ourselves for what has happened to our companion. As owners we all try so hard to help our pets and when we fail we think we have messed up somehow.

Your boxer loved you and the best gift you gave her was the love and attention in the past few months. Special cooking and plenty of love was what she needed to feel that she was part of her family.

You also made a very difficult decision out of love to not put her through more treatments. That takes great courage and I honor this gift you gave to her.

We do what we can with the knowledge we have at the time.

If you have time visit The Bridge page on our website to read a story written by one of our members, Brigitte. I think it will help you very much.  You will find others will write you in the coming days as well.

please accept my deepest sympathy, patrice

[Vally]

Hi Ray, I’m so very sorry you’ve lost your girl.  One of the hardest things is to say goodbye to our friends when it is the time.

As Patrice says, we all wonder “what if” but it only makes us hurt more.  You obviously cared very much for your girl.

As to the plug-ins, I won’t use one on the off chance anyway.  I have one in my room for mozzies, but if I do turn it on, it’s on for a couple of hours with the windows open and turned off at an hour before bed.  On the whole though I don’t like to use it.

I do remember once having had an incense stick burning in a room where Bingo and I were.  Room smelled great, but I do remember Bingo was sick that night.  I’ve never done it again unless he is locked out of the room, all windows and doors open and only for a very short time (I do it for photography).

Again, my sincere sympathy.  Feel welcome to hang around here, there are some wonderful people  here.

Vally.

[Rey C]

Thanks Patrice and Vally,

your kinds words do help me put things in perspective. I keep wondering if the ACE inhibitor Enalapril effected her as well in causing a loss of RBC’s, I just am trying to figure if there is something we could have done different.But I suppose there is no treatment other than what has shown to work. We tried Vetmedin or Pimobendan at the end but I think it was her time. It’s still hard to take though being it only two days ago . I guess we all go through this with our loved ones. I adopted Scout close to four years ago, looking back at the videos of the moment we first met helps she was senior then so I understand one thing or another could have happened and I am thankful for the time we had, but as we all feel it is too short with them.

[admin]

Dear Rey

I’m so sorry. Please accept my sincere condolences.

I’m very sad to hear about your losing your dear girl Scout & beg you not to blame yourself in any way. It doesn’t look like plug-ins have such a toxic effect & they have been around along time now. As Patrice says, boxers are prone to specific heart problems which can lead to anaemia & you did everything you possibly could to help her. The mere act of rescuing a dog (especially an “older” dog) shows you have a generous, kind heart & she was so obviously adored by you. Dogs are often given Enalapril for this problem & no-one can anticipate if there will be any side effects. She needed a drug for her heart problem & you & your vet did what you thought was right in the circumstances. 

They are never with us long enough, Rey. We only blame ourselves for not doing enough because we love them so much. There are too many animals who have no-one to care about them – thank goodness Scout had you to love her.  I am thinking of you at this sad time.

My deepest sympathy, Sheena.

 

 

[Vally]

Yes, the really really special people adopt older dogs.

Regards, Vally.

[admin]

Rey,

 

I am so very sorry about your best friend.  I certainly inow how you are feeling.  I keep thinking of what I couod have done better.  I could have been smarter and wiser.  But I am just me now without my Dunes.  I miss her everyday as you will.    I try to go on and not think on what I could do better.  It is too late for that for me.  I am just grateful I had her.

 

Joe

[admin]

Dear Rey

I just wanted to add my sincere condolences for the loss of Scout. It is a very difficult time and it is quite natural to ask yourself all the “what ifs?” and look for things to blame, including yourself. I lost my cat to IMHA in December, and the number of things which I have blamed continue to stack up. Was it that dragonfly she caught? Was it a reaction to a medication? The truth is, I will never know what fired it off. The lack of any answers can be difficult to bear, especially at this time when it is so raw for you. I don’t use plug ins but I am somewhat addicted to a particular US brand of scented candle. I had seen someone question the safety of these around animals a long time ago, but I have never seen anything other than anecdotes which are suggestive of any type of risk to animals.

As Vally so rightly said, it takes a very special person to adopt an older animal, and I am sure that Scout had the most wonderful life with you.

With very best wishes,

Mary x