Jump to full article: Kitsap (WA) Sun, 2009-05-03
Author: : Elizabeth Smoots : Kitsap Sun
Intro: Recent research has reported that secondhand smoke is associated with mouth cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in birds. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
I'd like to delve deeper to examine the health threats secondhand smoke poses to pets.
Toxic Exposure
Dogs: Canines that live in smoking households are twice as likely to develop cancer. Long-nosed breeds such as retrievers or German shepherds tend to get nasal and sinus cancer. Toxins in tobacco smoke collect inside the elongated nasal passages of these dogs, where the chemicals slowly but steadily wreak their damaging effects. Dogs that develop the deadly cancers usually don't live for more than a year.
In contrast, short-nosed dogs like boxers or bulldogs tend to get lung cancer. The shorter nasal passages of these breeds make it easier for cancer-causing toxins in tobacco smoke to reach the lungs.
Smoke exposure may create other problems besides cancer. Dogs can develop allergic reactions to toxins that get in their airways or coat their fur. And tobacco-related symptoms such as scratching, biting, and chewing may masquerade as flea bites or food allergies.
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