Cat Skin Reaction to Propylene Glycol?

[cdaguy]

First of all hello, everyone! Second…I have a problem and hopefully I can get some help with it.


I was going to post in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/vapor4life/311411-cat-lovers-should-know.html


But the (understandable) forum restrictions for new members nixed that idea.


Is it possible that PG is affecting my cat's skin? Has anyone else experienced a problem with this?


History:

• I started vaping about 2 years ago
• Cat started "self-mutilating" (overlicking, biting his skin) about 4 months after I started vaping and about a month after my roommate started vaping.
• Vet eliminated food allergies or stress as a cause
• A cortizone shot helped him for about 6 months
• Other anti-itch medications not helping him

I didn't even really think about PG as being a possible cause of his skin issues until today, because there was such a long delay between when I started using e-cigs and when he started having problems. I haven't had a chance to ask the vet yet, and I don't even know if she'd have an answer since e-cigs are still a relatively uncommon thing and there probably isn't a ton of veterinary research on the effects of PG vapor on cats' skin.


By my understanding, feline reactions to PG have only really been studied internally and were limited to causing defects in red blood cells, possibly leading to anemia. Since my cat has a healthy appetite, isn't weak and doesn't sleep any more than other cats I don't think he has anemia. His only health issue is his skin.


So I guess I have a few questions:
Has anyone seen adverse skin reactions in cats before?
Would the problem most likely be PG, Nicotine, or am I sniffing up the wrong tree completely?
If PG is the problem, would VG cause the same problems?


The primary reason I switched to vaping was the convenience of using it indoors so I didn't have to interrupt my work--since I work from home, and there are two vapers living here, it's possible my cat's getting more of a "dose" than most. If this comes down to no longer using e-cigs in the house, I'm OK with that solution, because nothing is more important than my cat's health. But I wouldn't mind finding a different solution.

 

[RosaJ]

My daughter's cat had something similar. They took the cat to the vet, went through a shot, nothing. They were going to have to take her again for the second time. I suggested they give her half a Benadryl for children's pill, and this took care of it.

Try it, your cat will sleep a lot, but it won't hurt it. If she's still licking after a week, then proceed with the more expensive treatments. I don't think it's the pg, but then again, I'm not a veterinarian either.

VG is used for attracting moisture when you apply it to your skin and as far as I know it doesn't cause any irritation to the skin (human skin that is).

Good luck!

 

[steved5600]

So far my cat has had on trouble but i do not vape on her. Unless the vapor gets on her can't see how it would be a problem.
I do however vape etiher 100% VG or a low percentage of it. The only reason I have PG is most flavors have it in them. Otherwise I'd be all VG. I do have a friend who had to give up vapor because of a PG reaction.
Sorry to hear about this. Perhaps segregating the cat when you vape and going to more VG less PG would help. Wash your hands a lot. Perhaps vape in a room the cat is not allowed.
Perhaps some others will have a better suggestion. I'm out of ideas. OH almost forgot clean up any spills asap.
Sorry I could not be of more help. If you need a vendor that does 100% VG Vape Rene does and the flavors are awesome.

 

[UntamedRose]

Well I vape at my desk...a lot. And the cats kingdom, is on top of the desk..meaning all of it but the hutch is suppose to be hers. (have a two year old wanted her to be able to get away)
So she's exposed to it a lot. Havnt had any issues so far.


Found some concerning things on google though
http://msdssearch.dow.com/Published...ycol/pdfs/noreg/117-01660.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc