To Debra in Ft. Worth concerning the use of phenols around animals:
 
        Yes, phenols are toxic.  They have been around for over a hundred years
(a phenol was the first antiseptic used by Lister in the 1800's).  They are
considered to have good antiseptic activity when put on INANIMATE objects, but
are very irritating when used on tissue.  They may cause ulcers if applied
topically, ingested, or inhaled.  If ingested, they may also cause tremendous
acid-base imbalances which may be lethal in small animals.
 
        Lysol may be used ina dilute form to clean litter boxes, or cages, but
these should always be air- or sun-dried before coming into contact with
animals.  I do not recommend their use on ferrets, or any animal for that
matter.  That is a rather ignorant thing that the young man with the abused
ferret did, and he is very lucky that no serious problems arose from it.
 
        Remember - dilute lysol only on litters and cages and never, never on
animals....
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 576-2453/2454                 Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
 
[Posted in FML issue 0876]