Dr. Phil Zeltzman's Newsletter What are you willing to "sacrifice" for your pet? MUST READ

• 28% of pet owners who smoke reported that information on the dangers of pet exposure to second hand smoke would motivate them to try to quit smoking.
• The same information would motivate almost 9% of pet owners who smoke to ask people with whom they live to quit smoking.
• The same information would motivate over 14% of pet owners who smoke to ask people with whom they live not to smoke indoors.
• The same information would motivate almost 9% of pet owners who smoke to ask people with whom they live to quit smoking.
• The same information would motivate over 14% of pet owners who smoke to ask people with whom they live not to smoke indoors.
• Over 16% of non-smoking pet owners who live with smokers said that they would ask the people with whom they live to quit if given this information on the dangers of pet exposure to second hand smoke.
• The same information would motivate over 24% of non-smoking pet owners who live with smokers not to smoke indoors if given this information.
• About 40% of current smokers and 24% of non-smokers living with smokers indicated that they would be interested in receiving information on smoking, quitting, or second hand smoke.
• Educational campaigns informing pet owners of the risks of second hand smoke exposure for pets could motivate some owners to quit smoking. It could also motivate these owners and non-smoking owners who cohabit with smokers to make their homes smoke-free.
  
  So what are the dangers of second hand smoke for pets?
  We have discussed this before, but here is what this particular article mentions:
  . Lymphoma in cats.
  . Nasal cancer in dogs.
  . Lung cancer in dogs.
  . Allergic reactions in dogs.
  . Oral carcinoma in cats.
  . Respiratory and skin diseases in birds.
  
  Hopefully this information will help readers make the right decision, for the sake of their pets, for themselves, and for the people they love. So please help me spread the word!
  Phil Zeltzman, DVM
  Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
  www.drphilzeltzman.com
  
  * SM Milberger et al. "Pet Owners' Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: A Pilot Study." Tobacco Control 2009. Top secret "Epub ahead of print."
  
  
  A surprising email
  Do you believe in coincidences? Just as the above study was published, a brand new subscriber in Wisconsin spontaneously writes:
  
  "Dr Zeltzman,
  
  I am a 1 to 1 1/2 pack a day smoker and I own a wonderful cat named Sammy, he was given to me and he is my joy and comfort as I live alone.
  
  (...) I received bad news from a friend today: they lost their best friend, a feline, from cancer. The cat had a large tumor and the vet told them that he would probably not even make it through the surgery, and due to how sick the cat was, they had to put the cat down.
  
  (...) Until today I never really thought of cigarette smoke affecting animals, just humans (...). My Sammy will be 2 years old soon. He was found in an area where kids were torching him with throwing fire crackers, stones and other type of abuse they could think of.
  
  Sammy is a lovable cat today and I love him so much and he loves me, we are inseparable. (...) You talk on your site about cats licking themselves and the smoke in their hair. This scares me since Sammy grooms constantly. (...)
  
  His first owner (...) also smoked but quit and then started smoking cigars. Can all this smoke Sammy has lived in be causing his eye seepage? (...)"
  
  I did reply to this lady. I said that although I am not a physician, a "1-1 1/2 pack a day smoker" probably knows exactly what to do. The web site http://www.smokefreesociety.org/ has plenty of information about how to do just that.
  
  I suggested that she reads my first newsletter on the effects of second-hand smoke on pets: Secondhand smoke can cause cancer in pets
  
  
  Fluffy quits in Buffalo, NY
  Another interesting project is going on in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Michael Cummings, a researcher at the Roswell Park Center Institute, created a web site called www.fluffyquits.com. Dr. Cummings has spent 30 years helping people quit smoking.
  
  His goal is to provide support for smoking pet owners who are willing to quit smoking, or a least quit smoking around their pet. You can find some great information on the web site and some support once you decide to do the right thing. You can also download a picture of your pet on the web site.
  
  Thousands of people, who have declared their car and home smoke-free, downloaded a picture of their pet onto the web site, so the idea is definitely catching on.
  Here are a few interesting facts from the site:
  
• Studies show that the amount of air pollution is on average 8 times higher in homes where smoking is permitted.
• Tobacco, cigarette butts, nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum, chew and other tobacco products are attractive to pets. If eaten, these items could be also be toxic to your pet. Tobacco products should be kept out of reach of pets and disposed of properly.
  There is also some valuable information for vets who are interested in educating their clients about the dangers of second hand smoke.
  
  Until next time,

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

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

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* 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
My web site:
www.drphilzeltzman.com
Our clinic in Whitehall, PA:
www.vcvrh.com
The Animal Emergency Clinic in Pittston, PA:

www.aecwv.com
The ACVS web site:
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.

This email was sent by Phil Zeltzman DVM DACVS, Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center, 210 Fullerton Avenue, Whitehall, PA 18052, using Express Email Marketing. You subscribed to this permission-based list on 6/3/2008.

© 2008 Phil Zeltzman LLC