Canine Cancer, Secondhand Smoke Linked

[Ellie May]

This is taken from dogchannel.com.


Canine Cancer, Secondhand Smoke Linked
Studies reveal dogs living in homes with smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.

New research shows pets are adversely affected by secondhand smoke, according to Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, an Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian.

“There have been a number of scientific papers recently that have reported the significant health threat secondhand smoke poses to pets,” MacAllister says. “Secondhand smoke has been associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds.”

MacAllister cited a recent study at Colorado State University that found higher incidences of nasal tumors in long-nosed dogs and higher rates of lung cancer in shorter-nosed dogs who lived in homes where they were exposed to secondhand smoke.

In long-nosed dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Border Collies, the larger surface area of their noses results in more carcinogen exposure where it tends to build up, MacAllister says.

For short- and medium-nosed dogs, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, the carcinogens tend to build in the lungs, she says. “The reason short- and medium-nosed dogs have a higher occurrence of lung cancer is because their shorter nasal passages aren’t as effective at accumulating the inhaled secondhand smoke. This results in more carcinogens reaching the lungs,” she explains.

Inhaling smoke is not the only danger cigarettes pose to pets, as curious dogs can eat tobacco products that can cause nicotine poisoning when ingested.

To keep risk to a minimum, smokers should have a designated smoking area that is separated from the home, keep tobacco products in a location where dogs are unable to access them or stop smoking all together, MacAllister recommends.

Posted: September 7, 2007, 5 a.m. EST

[mizzwanned]

Well DUH! Not to you lol but i mean it can't be good for you. I don't smoke but when i walk my dogs i hate when ppl get near us and blow smoke our way! I just hate it! And ppl that smoke in their homes and have dogs

[BubblPopElectrc]

IMO people who smoke in their house are even worst (dare I say move stupid?) than those who smoke outside of their homes.

People should think about the health of their pets (and children, family, etc.) even if they care about their own.

[myteddybear]

I was just thinking about this this weekend because we went to visit my father and step mother who are super chain smokers. They smoke in the house and it's hard for us to visit but we do. They have (had 3) dogs and have just lost one recently to old age. He was 20 years old when he died. He spent his entire life with my father and always breathed his smoke. So, I wondered this weekend how he was able to live so long and not be affected by the smoke.

Just interesting.

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by myteddybear

I was just thinking about this this weekend because we went to visit my father and step mother who are super chain smokers. They smoke in the house and it's hard for us to visit but we do. They have (had 3) dogs and have just lost one recently to old age. He was 20 years old when he died. He spent his entire life with my father and always breathed his smoke. So, I wondered this weekend how he was able to live so long and not be affected by the smoke.

Just interesting.

Yep same thing happened to my friend and her cat. Her mom was a chain smoker, she just sat on the couch all day and smoked pack after pack, poor cat that's all he smelled. He got cancer and was put to sleep

[MyFairLacy]

I don't like for people to smoke around Lacy...it's not good for people so it can't be good for their little bodies either

[Magneticgal]

Originally Posted by myteddybear

I was just thinking about this this weekend because we went to visit my father and step mother who are super chain smokers. They smoke in the house and it's hard for us to visit but we do. They have (had 3) dogs and have just lost one recently to old age. He was 20 years old when he died. He spent his entire life with my father and always breathed his smoke. So, I wondered this weekend how he was able to live so long and not be affected by the smoke.Just interesting.

For the same reason that not every single person that smokes gets lung cancer. Who knows? I will tell you for a fact that when I do a CAT scan of someone's chest, I can tell if they are a smoker or not. The lungs are damaged. The GREAT news is that are bodies have an amazing ability to heal themselves, and your lungs can repair themselves if you stop. It DOES increase your risk tremendously of developing many health related issues, not just cancer. Yes- you may luck out and your pets and children as well and may never develop cancer, but why take a chance? In my humble opinion, there are enough unknowns about cancer causes that if I know for a fact that I can do something to decrease that risk for myself and my household, I am going to do it.

[karen171]

Getting Ziggy was a big incentive for me to quit smoking. I didn't want him to breathe the smoke. I was able to finally quit by using the new drug Chantix and have been smoke free for 7 months now. The bad news is that I gained 20 pounds!

[Magneticgal]

Originally Posted by karen171

Getting Ziggy was a big incentive for me to quit smoking. I didn't want him to breathe the smoke. I was able to finally quit by using the new drug Chantix and have been smoke free for 7 months now. The bad news is that I gained 20 pounds!

Hooray for you for quitting!!! I know a close friend of mine had quite a battle trying to quit. BUT she finally was able to quit recently as well.