Scientists: Ubiquitous household chemical could be killing cats

Koko news ^ | May 8 2013 | Jeff Burnside

[Fawn]

SEATTLE -- A chemical threat lies hidden in millions of American homes, and top government scientists believe it could be killing cats.

Right now in the special session of the state legislature, lawmakers are fighting powerful interests to ban versions of the chemical.

Dr. Dennis Wackerbarth is a top expert on hyperthyroidsim, and he said countless numbers of cats die from the disease each year.

[vetvetdoug]

Just call me skeptical. Cats are living longer and therefore developing hyperthyroidism as they age. Its always been present but the veterinary community has just been aware of the disease and actively diagnosing it for around ten years. Outside cats develop it also, shall we consider water a flame retardant?

[beefree]

Perhaps cats are ‘canaries in the coal mine’ when it comes to chemicals. There may be some link to autism/learning deficits, etc, according to a few studies. A quick search included this one:
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/6164

[tahoeblue]

Good one!

[Boogieman]

Could be, but just showing the chemicals can harm mice, or cats, doesn’t mean that they have any significant effect on humans. At the same time, we know that before we added these retardants to furniture, there were a more fatalities from fires. So, it seems to me that we know the chemicals save human lives, while scientists think they might be doing some harm. I’ll take the definite over the indefinite, at least until they have more solid research.

[beefree]

The article did say that fire deaths had been reduced by 50% since fire retardants became the norm in the 70s

[Darnright]

>The article goes from “this chemical (flame retardants) is killing our cats” to “this chemical everywhere and is killing everyone!”<

Viking Kitties! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!

[TheOldLady]

LOL!

They’re going to have to face the fact that their hysterical, panicky scare tactics are starting to make them look like idiots when no disaster they predict comes true.

“The Boy Who Cried ‘WOLF!’” comes to mind.

[Nepeta]

I had a hyperthyroid cat.

I have read elsewhere that there may be a correlation between this condition and the cans that have pop top lids to them. Kitteh had been fed from such cans for years.

But his housemates remained healthy.

I suspect a lot of things are being seen now because strictly indoor cats live much longer and can become quite ancient.