You know you should quit smoking for your own health, but what about the health of your dog? Could your smoking put him at increased risk of cancer? Preliminary evidence suggests that this might be the case. Although relatively uncommon in humans, one of the more common cancers found in canines is dog nasal cancer. In humans, it’s been shown that exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke increases the risk of developing cancer of the nasal passages. Several studies have suggested that dogs that live in households where they’re exposed to owners who smoke have an increased risk of developing dog nasal cancer. Sadly enough, this form of cancer in a dog has a poor prognosis with a life expectancy of less than a year. These tumors usually don’t respond to chemotherapy and may spread to the brain rather quickly resulting in a dismal outcome.

A study designed to look at this type of cancer in a dog and study the relationship to secondhand smoke was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1998. It showed an increased risk of nasal cancer in long-nosed dogs exposed to cigarette smoke. This particular subgroup of dogs was at two and a half times the risk of developing dog nasal cancer relative to dogs living in a smoke free home. It also appeared that the more smoke a long-nosed dog was exposed to, the higher the risk. Interestingly enough, short-nosed dogs didn’t show an increased risk of nasal cancer when exposed to secondhand smoke but, instead, manifested an increased risk of lung cancer. It appears that the anatomy of the nasal passages in these different groups of dogs may play a role in which type of cancer they develop in response to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Nasal cancer in a dog generally presents with such symptoms as nasal discharge that may be bloody, recurrent sneezing, swelling of the face, weight loss, bulging of the eyes, and lack of energy. Surgery alone is usually ineffective in treating dog nasal cancer, although radiation therapy may prolong survival in these unfortunate canines. The earlier your pet receives medical treatment, the better the prognosis will be.

If you smoke, you may be shortening not only your own life but the life of your dog who has no choice in the matter. Instead of lighting up another cigarette, why not leash up your companion and head out for a brisk walk? It will be healthy for both of you and it’s a great way to bond. Don’t let your dog become a victim of dog nasal cancer when it’s a factor you can control his exposure to.