Archive article, written 2009–2016. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian. About our articles
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| Introducing a new cat to the household |
| Secondhand Smoke Question Can secondhand smoke harm my pets? Answer Not surprisingly, the answer is yes. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 43 of which are known to be carcinogens. While many studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can increase people's chances of heart disease, lung cancer, and other cancers, some recent studies have shown that these chemicals also increase the risk of these diseases to pets. Research performed at Colorado State University has documented that environmental tobacco smoke has a clear effect on dogs and their chance of falling victim to disease. Studies have shown that the more people smoke in a household, the higher their dogs' risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Dogs with long noses are at an even greater risk of developing certain nasal and sinus cancer, as they expose more tissue to the carcinogens when they inhale. CSU's research has also shown that the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke are lasting. Chemicals from cigarette smoke can be found in animals' bodies for a long period of time. In fact, measurable levels of carcinogens can be found in dogs' hair and urine for months after exposure. Another study by Tufts University showed that cats exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased chance of developing a type of oral cancer commonly found in smokers--called squamous cell carcinoma--possibly because the carcinogens in smoke can settle on cats' fur and cats can pick them up as they groom themselves. Even if they don't develop cancer, pets can have strong reactions to smoke particles in the air. Just like their human families, pets can develop respiratory infections, lung inflammation, and asthma when exposed to secondhand smoke. What is causing my cat's "weepy" eye? |
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Answer Watery, dripping eyes are a relatively common problem in cats, particularly kittens. They can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, specifically a viral infection. One sore eye could also be a sign of a foreign body, something that's irritating your cat's eye. There's also the possibility that an upper respiratory infection earlier in your cat's life left his tear ducts clogged or scarred shut. The best thing you can do for your cat is to seek veterinary care right away. Viral infections can cause corneal ulcers or progress to more serious disease if left untreated, and foreign bodies in the eye can cause damage or disease of the eye. All of these problems are preventable if you see your veterinarian. A veterinarian can treat a viral infection, remove a foreign body from the eye, or flush out clogged tear ducts. In some cases, occular problems can be a sign of more serious systemic conditions (problems that affect many systems in an animal's body), so it's very important that you seek veterinary care. Why does my cat have a fat lip? Answer A swollen lip in a cat may be caused by such things as chin acne, tooth root infections, tumors, insect bites, etc. For an accurate diagnosis, it's best to visit your veterinarian for a good look at your cat's lip. After a complete exam, treatment can be started to target the underlying cause. Cold, wet noses are good, right? Answer A cold, wet nose is one sign of good health in dogs and cats. However, even a healthy pet can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. On the other hand, really sick pets can also have cold, wet noses. What does all this mean? Simply that any one indicator of health is not 100 percent accurate all the time. Sick pets with cold noses should be seen by your veterinarian. And by the same token, pets with warm, dry noses that are showing other symptoms such as lethargy or not eating should also be seen by a doctor. |