Understanding PFAS – The Silent Threat to Wildlife and Pets
Known as “forever chemicals”, PFAS are causing growing concern for animal health. Used in various commercial and industrial products for their water- and stain-resistant properties, PFAS linger in the environment and accumulate in bodies over time. This has led to health issues in over 300 animal species, including increased liver weight and size in dogs, reproductive delays in rodents, and respiratory disease in cats.
Research Highlights on PFAS and Animal Health
Dr. Heather Bair-Brake, a public health veterinarian at Michigan State University, studied the link between PFAS and adverse health outcomes in animals. Presenting her findings at the 2023 AVMA Convention, the evidence demonstrated PFAS affected liver enzymes, cholesterol levels, and thyroid hormones in dogs and cats.
Titled PFAS in Pets, her research project explored how pets could be sentinels for human exposure to PFAS, especially in contaminated sites by comparing serum PFAS levels and blood chemistry levels in human counterparts. Children have been found to not respond to vaccines as well as they have in the past, which was noted by Dr. Bair-Brake if this decreased immune response is the same animal patients.
More on sentinel species, Kylie Rock, a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University, saw how horses, aside from dogs, provide critical information about routes of exposure from the outdoor environment when they reside in close proximity to known contamination sources.
This finding was brought by the request of concerned residents from Grays Creek, N.C. to have their pets go through a general veterinary health check as their homes used wells that state inspectors have determined to contain PFAS. 20 different PFAS were detected in the animals, including concentrations of PFOS, PFHxsS, HFPO-DA (Gen X), and NBP2. Consistent with Dr. Bair-Brake’s findings, the animals also had changes in diagnostic biomarkers used to assess liver and kidney dysfunction. In humans, these two organ systems are primary targets of PFAS toxicity.
Both research findings suggest that pets might be indicators if there is PFAS contamination in the household. According to experts, reducing PFAS is tough but feasible. Home filters for drinking water and avoiding PFAS-containing products are advisable.
PFAS and their potential impact on clinical practice: How Vets Can Use This Information
By being knowledgeable about PFAS, you can help keep your patients safe and healthy by:
- Identifying sources of exposure. PFAS-scavenger hunt? You can identify PFAS-containing products in your client’s homes and environment by asking them about the products they use or by conducting home inspections. You can also refer your client to environmental testing companies to get a more accurate assessment of PFAS exposure level in their homes. Or, you can create and recommend a list of PFAS-free products that your clients can use.
- Recognizing PFAS-related signs and symptoms. You can effectively diagnose and treat conditions if you are aware of the signs and symptoms of PFAS exposure. Some of these include:
a. Skin problems (rash, hair loss, and crusty skin)
b. Weight loss
c. Vomiting
d. Diarrhea
e. Liver problems
f. Thyroid problems
g. Reproductive problems
If you happen to see any of these symptoms, you may suspect that the animal has been exposed to PFAS. You may order a blood test or a urine test to confirm the diagnosis. Once it is confirmed, you can start the treatment. Treatment varies depending on the animal’s symptoms. Some common treatments include medication to treat liver damage, thyroid problems, reproductive problems, and supportive care such as fluids and nutrition.
- Educating your clients about the risks of PFAS exposure. PFAS infographic or comic book? You can inform your clients on how to reduce their pet’s risk of exposure by providing information about sources of PFAS, the symptoms of exposures, and the steps to be taken to reduce exposure.
- Advocating for policies to reduce PFAS pollution. Support initiatives to reduce PFAS pollution by being vocal and active. Whether through public hearings or partnerships with environmental organizations, advocacy is crucial.
Whether you host a "PFAS-free swap meet" where clients can trade in their old PFAS-containing products for new PFAS-free products or start a "PFAS-free pet club" where clients can get support and advice on how to reduce their pets' exposure to PFAS, all these efforts can help your clients avoid and advocate against PFAS.
But how about treatment approaches?
Infusion and syringe pumps – your PFAS-fighting partners
PFAS can build up in the body over time, and it can be difficult to remove them. For instance, pets clear PFAS from their systems in eight days to a couple of months.
Infusion pumps can be used to accurately deliver fluids and medications, like chelating agents, or in conjunction with other treatments, such as activated charcoal, that bind to PFAS and flush it out from the body, reducing the risk of toxicity.
If you are looking for accurate and reliable fluid delivery that is within your budget, look no further than AIV Vet’s patient-ready used IV pumps! We stock many AIV certified and quality-controlled infusion pumps – from Baxter 6201, Baxter 6301, Baxter AS50 to most Smiths Medical/ Medfusion and Abbott/ Hospira models – ready to be shipped to you same-day to meet your growing infusion pump needs.
In addition, AIV Vet’s easy-to-use VetroCRI syringe pump is designed for controlled continuous administration of IV fluids and does not require software to operate. Battery-powered, VetroCRI can be applied in a variety of areas in your facility with only minor routine maintenance.
So why wait? Upgrade your tools now and contribute to a safer environment for both pets and humans.
Sources:
Researcher looking at PFAS exposure in dogs, cats. (n.d.). American Veterinary Medical Association.
PFAS “Forever chemicals” found in blood of pet dogs, horses. HealthDay. (2023, June 21).