Quote:
Originally Posted by styric  That is erroneous.
Chemical deworming products are designed to get rid of as many parasites as possible, while keeping the gut flora still active and effective. It's a balancing act - the idea is to keep the number of parasites to a minimum, not achieve a total kill. You'd kill your dog if you removed ALL parasites.
As far as I know, there have been no experiments to indicate whether this would be truly effective AND SAFE. Then there's the question of dosage - how much would you give, and how often? There are no true tested data to help here.
If you are handling this substance regularily, make sure you're using a proper mask. Another name for diatomaceous earth (DE) is crystalline silica, and high-level exposure to the dust from the product has been implicated in some forms of lung cancer. DE is very fine powder, and the dust from it is finer still - even a very slight air movement is enough to create a cloud that a handler or dogs would be likely to inhale. The action that is supposed to kill parasites in the stomach and intestines - a scrubbing action created by the razor-sharp edges of the particles - can cause bleeding and cysts in the lungs.
If you are asthmatic, or have kids, you shouldn't even be handling this stuff.
Natural is not the same as safe.. We simply don't know enough about the effects of DE on internal parasites, and you should not try to use this as a substitute for a proper deworming program. |
It is indeed approved as a natural feed additive by the FDA. Its ground up fossils from aqua marine life. Farmers have been, and currently use this storing thier grains, and as an additive to their feeds. ITs been added into commercial dog kibble before, except it makes the kibble REALLY REALLY hard. Handling is common sense, the key is wetting it down, I.e. if you add it to your dogs food, stir in some water and wet the powder down. If you apply it to your garden, use a spray bottle and mix it - target your areas.
There indeed are many studies that prove the success rate of eliminating parasites in animals. DE has been used for over 50 years, and has become much more common in the farming community in the last 30+ years.
A bunch of study references are listed here.
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_org_research.php?id=41 http://www.postfinder.com/post/24460669.html
Many have found success in using this in so many different aspects. Rid fleas. It's cured leaky anal glands. It's a great known toxin binder. Organic gardeners use it too. I have seen the stuff sold in little containers at pet stores as a "digestive aid".