Are you a smoker? We all know the risks associated with being a smoker as a human. Extensive research has concluded elevated risks of many life threatening diseases in people who smoke over a course of time. Did you ever stop to think how many packs a day your bully is smoking?
In recent years, many studies have been focused on the effects of second hand smoke on both dogs and cats. Second hand smoke, also known as ETS ( Environmental Tobacco Smoke) comes from cigar, cigarette or pipe smoke. Tobacco smoke contains up to 20 different cancer causing agents just waiting to be inhaled by non-smokers. There are more then 4,000 chemicals found in second hand smoke including arsenic, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Studies have shown that exposure to tobacco smoke causes both cancer and allergies in dogs. Specifically, second hand smoke is associated with lung and nasal cancer in dogs. Other species of pet such as cats and birds are also at risk of cancer, but experience different forms of cancer.
Research has shown that muzzle length plays a role in the type of cancer your dog may contract as a result of exposure to second hand smoke. Muzzle types are divided into 2 groups, breeds with shorter/medium noses and breeds with longer noses. Breeds with shorter muzzles, such as our Bully breeds, tend to have higher rates of lung cancer as a result of second hand smoke. Research suggests, their shorter nasal passage is less effective at filtering the second hand smoke before it enters the lungs. Breeds with longer snouts have shown higher incidents of nasal tumors, nose and sinus cancers. The longer noses have more cells and more surface area the carcinogens can plant themselves on before heading towards the lungs. The more carcinogenic deposit accumulated, the higher the risk of mutated cells by carcinogens, creating cancer cells.
Second hand smoke is extremely dangerous to pets, some pet owners are conscious of their smoking risks to others around them, and smoke outside the house, so their pets are safe right? Wrong, your dog can still be in harms way. If you smoke outside and leave the ashtray on the porch, or simply toss your butt into the grass, your dog can eat the cigarette butt, which contains toxins. Or even more likely, your dog is thirsty and sees water accumulated in your ashtray; drinking the rain water which has collected in your ashtray has a very high concentration of nicotine and can make your dog very ill. Nicotine patches and gum can also be ingested by your dog and have the same grim result.
What are some effects your dog could experience as a result of tobacco?
- Asthmatic like breathing /other respiratory difficulties
- Excessive salivation
- Gastrointestinal problems: Diarrhea/ Vomiting
- Cardiac issues
- Lung or Nasal cancer
Did you know that eating whole cigarettes or cigars from the box can be fatal? As little as 1-5 cigarettes and from 1/3-1 cigar can result in death if ingested. Dogs are curious critters. Keep your cigarettes or cigars safely out of reach from your pets just as you would from children. If cigarettes or cigars are ingested, your pet should begin vomiting as their bodies reaction to try to rid them of toxins, if this does not happen call your vet immediately.
Our pets trust us with their lives every single day. The only sure fire way to protect your pet from second hand smoke is to be a Non-smoker. Your pet will thank you.
