Posted on 04/24/2006 6:12:41 PM PDT by Graybeard58
If you smoke and have been thinking about quitting, here's one more good reason to do so: Secondhand smoke endangers your pets, too.
Secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke or ETS, has been associated with cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular disease in humans. Exposure levels in cats kept indoors may be higher than those in human family members, who often spend more time outside the home.
A study done by Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine found "a strong correlation between ETS and an oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, in cats." The risk for this type of cancer doubled in cats living in a home with one smoker, and tripled the risk for cats living with more than one smoker and exposed to ETS for longer than five years. Because of the cat's fastidious nature and excellent grooming habits, they ingest carcinogens that have been deposited on their fur and over a long period of time expose the delicate skin in their mouths to these dangerous chemicals.
Another study by the University of Massachusetts found that cats exposed to ETS have a slightly higher risk of developing malignant lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Because the lymph nodes filter the blood, carcinogens that are inhaled or ingested may build up in the tissue.
Dogs are in danger, too, of ETS-related cancers. In 1992 a study done at Colorado State University found that dogs exposed to secondhand smoke in the home was 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than dogs not exposed. Factors such as how many smokers lived in the home, how many packs a day they smoked, the time spent inside the home by the dog and the dog's age, body weight and skull shape were all taken into consideration.
The skull shape of the dogs had particular significance in determining the type of cancer most likely to develop. Dogs with longer snouts (such as German shepherds, collies or greyhounds) were more at risk for nasal cancer and dogs with short noses (like pugs, Boxers or Pekinese) had a higher risk for lung cancer. The longer snouts meant that more carcinogens were filtered there, increasing the chance for localized cancers. The shorter noses mean that carcinogens travel to the lungs more quickly and are collected there. Additionally, effects of the exposure to ETS last for a long period of time in animals' bodies -- measurable levels of carcinogens were found in the dogs' hair and urine for months after exposure.
Dog owners who smoke should be alert for warning signs of lung cancer in their dogs that include chronic coughing, weight loss and abnormal fatigue. Nasal cancer signs include swelling over the nose or sinus area, sneezing and bloody nasal discharge.
Cats suffering from oral cancers may develop lumps in their mouth, foul breath, loose teeth, facial deformity or even paralysis, and possibly pain when eating or drinking. Signs of lymphoma (the most common form of cancer in cats) include enlarged internal organs, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss.
Cancer isn't the only danger to our pets caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Like humans, cats and dogs can have strong reactions to smoke and develop illnesses of the respiratory system, lung inflammation, and asthma.
Although cats have higher rates of lymphoma than dogs or humans, we certainly control many of the factors that increase their risk for not only ETS-related cancer but for other types of cancer as well.
Squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer of the skin and underlying tissues, is common in cats (and dogs) with white or light fur. Most often their eyelids, noses and ear tips are affected by prolonged exposure to bright sunlight and potentially damaging ultraviolet rays. Keeping high risk animals indoors or in shaded areas outdoors can protect them, and you can check with your veterinarian for other preventive measures such as using sunblocking products on your dog.
Mammary gland cancer is most often a disease of older, unspayed female pets. Tumors generally develop beneath a nipple and may spread to lymph nodes, lungs, adrenal glands, and the liver or kidneys. This is probably the most preventable since it can be avoided by spaying your pet at an early age.
Cancer is a terrifying and often indiscriminate enemy -- but there are things you can do to reduce the risk to your beloved feline or canine companion. Who knows, it might just be good for you, too.
sigh.
That looks like one of those poker playing dogs.
Those are cool pictures with the dogs.
I remember when they were popular.
I'm so over all of this crapola it is not even funny.
Other than the 2 dogs I lost during a divorce, I have never lost a dog to anything but old age........and all dogs I've ever had, since I was a baby, have been in the homes of smokers.
As to my cats, well they live in the barn.............but all come rubbing up against me when I'm out working in the yard or garden (which is most of the time at this time of the year) they apparently have no problem with my smoking.
I'm sick and fricking tired of these anti-smokers.........they all need to get a life and leave mine alone.
I swear I knew this was coming!
See Gabz, you got those cats liking it too. JUST KIDDING
Talk about having a piercing bark.
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Huh???? |
This is really old news - this crapola has been being spouted for years, not quite in this manner about the cats and fur licking, but definitely about dogs for a good long while.
Cat's got that tongue, or he's the BUTT of some joke.
I used to own a horse that would gleefully chomp down my still-burning cigar butts with me still in the saddle. That served multiple purposes, including wilderness fire suppression.
These days, I guess I would be arrested for animal abuse.
"He's never at the weekly game."
You're so baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad..........I guess that's why I love you so!!!!!
No wonder those chickens at KFC were finger-lickin good.
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