Re: “Dog-vest maker has Wal-Mart contract” (Page C7, Feb. 6):
Anyone considering putting one of these vests on their dog might want to consider the effect of permethrin, the tick repellent that the vests are coated with. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that it is likely to cause cancer in humans if consumed.
People handling such a vest should take steps to avoid exposure, wash their hands before preparing food, etc., and children are more sensitive to pesticides than adults.
One might be told that a dose of permethrin is not harmful, but how about putting a treated vest on your dog, day after day, for the tick season of six or more months? Of course, one would not want to use a vest and also have the dog treated through the skin with a tick and flea “eradicator” cream, as that would be overkill.
It might be prudent to wait for longer-term studies before using this product.
Mabel O’Brien
Falmouth
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