Dr. Phil Zeltzman's Newsletter Secondhand smoke can cause cancer in pets MUST READ

Smokers are sometimes aware that secondhand smoking affects non-smoking humans. But did you know that it can affect pets as well? If you know someone who is a smoker and a pet lover, you may want to share this newsletter with them...

PLEASE NOTE: Today's newsletter is certainly not written to make any reader or pet owner feel guilty. If you smoke and your pet has cancer, it may not be your fault at all! This is not about guilt or pointing fingers. As always, it is about being informed and doing the right thing. Several scientific studies have shown that secondhand smoke can cause many health problems in pets: bronchitis, heart disease and cancer among others.

Dr. Lynn Weber, a pharmacist, professor and researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, has found some significant changes in the blood vessels of dogs who live in the homes of smokers. So I interviewed her for this newsletter. She said: "In people, these changes are linked to stroke and heart attacks. Granted, these diseases are rare in dogs, so I am trying to understand what these changes mean in dogs."

• A 2001 Colorado State University study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed that secondhand smoke can cause cancer of the sinus of dogs.

  This cancer is twice as likely in dogs with long noses, such as Collies, Greyhounds and German Shepherds, probably because there is simply more tissue and cells exposed to cancer-causing particles called "carcinogens" as the smoke travels through their nose. Dogs with a short (Pugs) or medium nose are unfortunately not risk-free: in that study, they had a higher risk of lung cancer. Ironically, this may be because their shorter nose is less effective at filtering carcinogens before they reach their lungs. So ultimately, everybody dog breed is at risk, regardless of the length of their nose. Sounds like a lose-lose proposition for any dog breed... The Colorado researchers found toxins from cigarette smoke in dogs' urine. This is confirmed by a 2008 study at the Tufts vet school in Massachusetts.

• A 2007 study done at the University of Minnesota shows that cats who live with smokers also have nicotine and other toxins in their urine.
• Yes, cats can be affected too: a Tufts school of veterinary medicine study showed a connection between secondhand smoke and a common type of cancer in the mouth of cats, called squamous cell carcinoma. The study found that cats exposed to secondhand smoking for more than five years and cats living with more than one smoker were even more likely to be affected by this cancer. How do they get it? Because cats groom so much, they lick carcinogens that land on their fur. These findings are confirmed in a study from the University of Massachusetts.
• Another study from the University of Massachusetts showed that cats exposed to secondhand smoke are twice as likely to develop lymphoma (aka lymphocarcoma). Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes and one of the most common cancers we see in cats. Carcinogens that were licked, ingested or inhaled end up in the blood stream, which is filtered by lymph nodes.
  
  The only piece of good news is that pets, unlike humans, don't seem to have a higher risk of throat cancer and bladder cancer.
  
  Sadly, there is no early warning sign of cancer in these pets. Lung cancer will eventually cause coughing and weight loss. Sinus cancer will cause sneezing, bloody discharge and sometimes swelling or deformation of the nose.
  
  Another consequence of having cigarettes around pets, is that they sometimes decide to eat part or all of a cigarette pack. This can cause nicotine poisoning, - a life-threatening situation. Therefore, cigarettes and other tobacco products should be stored in a secure place and not left lying around. By the way, this includes cigarettes butts!
  
  So what can you do if you're a smoker and a pet lover?
• Quit smoking. I am not a physician, and this newsletter is about pets. But now you understand that smoking can drastically affect the pet you love.
• If you know someone who is a smoker and a pet lover, you may want to share this newsletter with them...
• Short of kicking the habit, a quick solution for right now would be to smoke outside your house, as far from your pet as possible.
• This also applies to your work place, your car, and any place with pets.
• If you smoke and your dog has difficulty breathing or has a bloody nasal discharge or is coughing, please consider the possibility that (s)he may have lung or nose or sinus cancer, and go see your vet. Rather safe than sorry.
• Check your cat's mouth to detect a mass early, and consult your vet if you have any doubt (actually, any pet owner should be shown how to do this periodically).
  As I have written before, there are few cancers we can prevent in pets. Cancer caused by secondhand smoking is one notable exception. It is my sincere hope that this newsletter encourages you to make the right decision.

For more information on quitting smoking, please visit:
smokefreesociety.org where you can find some great resources to quit the habit. Smoke Free Society is a non-profit organization founded by Rez Seyedin, an ex-smoker himself. If you visit the web site, you will notice a link to my web site. Rez and I are working together, as we both strongly feel that we can help each other, spread the word, and help our pet-loving readers and their pets. Pet-specific information can be found at:
http://www.smokefreesociety.org/NewsClip/Pets-1.html

If you like what you read, feel free to direct family, friends, colleagues and clients to my web site and this newsletter. Veterinarians can offer this free service to their clientele by telling their clients how to subscribe. That is the best compliment you could give me.

Thank you!

Dr. Phil

Phil Zeltzman, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
http://www.drphilzeltzman.com

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References: For our scientifically-inclined readers:
. JS Reif et al. "Passive smoking and canine lung cancer risk." Am. J. Epidemiol. 1992, Vol 135, N 3, p. 234-239.
. JS Reif et al. "Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in pet dogs." Am. J. Epidemiol. 1998, Vol 147, N 5, p. 488-492.
. EA McNiel et al. "Urinary biomarkers to assess exposure of cats to environmental tobacco smoke." AJVR 2007, Vol. 68, N. 4, p.349-353.
. ER Bertone-Johnson et al. "Environmental tobacco smoke and canine urinary cotinine level." Environ. Res. 2008, Vol 106, N 3, p. 361-364.
. ER Bertone et al. "Environmental and lifestyle risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma in domestic cats." JVIM 2003, Vol 17, N 4, p. 557-562.
. ER Bertone et al. "Environmental tobacco smoke and risk of malignant lymphoma in pet cats." Am. J. Epidemiol. 2002, Vol 156, N 3, p. 268-273.

* The patients' identities have been changed to protect their privacy.
No reproduction without permission. Ask for permission at drphilzeltzman@hotmail.com, © 2008

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Resources
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www.vcvrh.com
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www.aecwv.com
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www.acvs.org

Disclaimer
The contents of this newsletter are for personal, non-commercial, educational and informational purposes only. Information found in these pages and links is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company, product, treatment or procedure. The information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that Dr. Phil Zeltzman makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. Dr. Phil Zeltzman does not endorse any commercial providers or their products.

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