PERSONAL HEALTH : Long and Short of Canine Cancer

Human companions of smokers are known to run a higher risk of developing lethal lung cancer. But what of their canine companions?

The answer may be as clear as the wet noses on their faces.

According to a report in a recent American Journal of Epidemiology, dogs with long noses may enjoy built-in protection against lung cancer caused by inhaling tobacco smoke.

Searching the oncology records of two veterinary hospitals, epidemiologist John S. Reif of Colorado State University found 51 dogs with lung cancer and 83 “control” dogs with other forms of cancer. Reif and his Ft. Collins colleagues asked the dogs’ owners to estimate their pets’ exposure to tobacco smoke.

When the results were in, researchers found a statistical link between exposure to passive smoke and lung cancer in dogs--but only in dogs with short and medium-size noses.

Dogs with long muzzles showed no excess risk of developing lung cancer even though they lived with heavy smokers. Reif theorizes that the longer noses may do a better job of filtering cancer-causing substances from the smoky air.

But other studies have shown the dangers of smoke-filled homes to both people and pets, reminds Reif. So it’s better to stop smoking than to worry about the proportions of your dog’s proboscis.

And besides, says Reif, the long noses that may protect the collies and dachshunds and setters from lung cancer may actually increase their risk of nasal cancer.

Doggone it.