Gentian violet (blu-kote etc) and increased cancer risk

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Health Canada has just removed all approval of anything containing gentian violet, including for animals. There seems to be an increased cancer risk with use. Take a look at the article: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/e...tential-cancer-risk-associated-gentian-violet

Wanted to share purely for your information as I see recommendations for products containing it.

 

[Acre4Me]

Certainly doesn’t worry me for use on chickens. They won’t live long enough to develop cancer anyway from a product only used occasionally.

 

[aart]

Never found a good reason to use it anyway.
Tried blukote, but it's not a great product.

 

[Folly's place]

x2. No reason to have it for anyone.
Mary

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Not often is there a reason but if a bird has an open wound then yes, it's a good product. Not many near misses with hawks or mink or raccoons around here. But when there is spray it on the open wound. It's topical antiseptic and does prevent pecking.

 

[aart]

It's topical antiseptic and does prevent pecking.

There are better antiseptics and it can attract pecking more than it will deter it.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I've only seen it deter pecking. But again, I rarely have a need for it. Predators are efficient.

 

[jpccusa]

Certainly doesn’t worry me for use on chickens. They won’t live long enough to develop cancer anyway from a product only used occasionally.

The issue would be less for the chicken and more for the people consuming its eggs or meat. The label on Blue Kote explicitly says it shouldn't be used on food-producing animals.