Second hand smoke may cause pet health problems—including cancer

(I-Newswire) July 27, 2010 - The Columbia Daily Tribune reported secondhand smoke may be dire to pet health.
According to the source, research conducted at Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts showed a link between cats diagnosed with lymph node cancer and contact with second-hand smoke.
“Cats exposed to secondhand smoke developed lymphoma twice as often as cats in smoke-free homes,” the news source reported.
The study also revealed a probable link to other pet health problems in cats, such as oral cancer.
“Because cats groom themselves often, they lick the carcinogens that have been deposited on their fur,” the news provider reported.
Dr. Carolynn Mac Allister, a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University, said cat health is compromised because the grooming “exposes the mucous membrane of their mouth to the cancer-causing carcinogens,” ScienceDaily.com reported.
In another study done at Colorado State University, The Columbia Daily Tribune reported that dogs exposed to smoke also had a higher chance of getting cancer.
“In dogs with long noses, the most common type of cancer associated with secondhand smoke was nasal cancer.”
The study found that short-nosed dogs often developed lung cancer.
“The reason short and medium nose dogs have a higher occurrence of lung cancer is because their shorter nasal passages aren’t as effective at accumulating the inhaled secondhand smoke carcinogens,” MacAllister told ScienceDaily.com.
According to the source it’s important, “for [pet health] and others living in the household, that the smoker has a designated area in which to smoke that is physically separated from the home.”
For more information on pet health and safety, visit the http://www.petsbest.com/news/

About Pets Best Insurance:
Boise, Idaho-based Pets Best Insurance provides pet insurance plans that reimburse pet owners for a straightforward 80 percent of veterinary services after a deductible, with no benefit schedules or fee restrictions. Pets Best plans do not include age restrictions and allow the pet owner to choose their veterinarian. The Pets Best Insurance team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best are underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut (AICC) and recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association Group Health and Life Insurance Trust (AVMA GHLIT). In states in which AICC is not yet licensed, policies are underwritten by North Pointe Casualty Insurance Company. This material describes Pets Best Insurance plans in general terms. Eligible expenses and coverage may vary, depending on your plan selection. All pet insurance plans have limitations and exclusions. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information, visit Pets Best at www.petsbest.com.

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