Cigarette Fumes can Cause Cancer and Respiratory Illnesses in Dogs and Cats

Pet animals that are exposed to cigarette and tobacco fumes are at risk of developing serious health conditions, warn researchers.

Second hand smoke and repeated exposure to surfaces contaminated by tobacco and nicotine residues are known to cause respiratory illnesses like asthma and lung cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and heart problems in humans. Scientists from the Colorado State University, Tufts University's School of Medicine in Massachusetts, found dogs and cats have equal chances of developing nasal and lung cancer, skin allergies and malignant melanoma by inhaling cigarette smoke.

Pet owners must watch out for symptoms of cancer that include coughing, bleeding, excessive weight loss, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, nausea, drooling and sneezing and immediately consult a veterinarian. Majority of feline and canine deaths in the U.S. are caused by cancer, according to the Morris Animal Foundation in Denver. The organization has supported many researches on pet cancer since 1962, reports the Guardian Liberty News.

Although, there are no statistical records on the number of animal deaths caused by exposure to tobacco and cigarette fumes, laboratory tests have confirmed its negative reactions on pet's health. The Legacy Foundation, a U.S. based charity organization urges smokers to get over their smoking addiction to prevent death and diseases in pets living with them. The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also pushes for smoke-free living environment for animals.

The experts believe the cats are more sensitive to cigarette fumes than dogs and have high risk of dying from lymphoma. The findings by Tufts University revealed cats that live with a chain smoker are twice likely to suffer from many forms of cancer including mouth cancer. The risk rate increase by four times with over five years of exposure to cigarette fumes.

Tobacco companies and cigarette manufactures warn about the dangers of smoking but these messages are only intended for people not animals.

 "We haven't taken a stand on the potential impact on pets," said David  Sylvia, a spokesperson for Altria Group Inc, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of  Philip Morris USA, reports the CBS News.

In addition, smoking cessation devices like nicotine patches and electronic cigarettes also have carcinogenic effects on animals' health.  Throwing cigarette butts and nicotine patches in to trash cans and places that are easily accessible to animals must be avoided to cut the incidence of animal cancer.

"You wouldn't think dogs would eat such things, but they do," said Liz Rozanski, researcher and veterinarian at Tufts University, reports the CBS News.