The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
The Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke
Hey, Tracie! You rock! I've been through your Q & A's on the site, and felt like I should add my story. I had a cat, Kitty, who died from intestinal lymphoma, and he and I had lived with my ex-boyfriend for almost eight years, who was a heavy smoker. I always wondered if that could somehow have a connection with intestinal or digestive cancers, since the cat must have ingested the carcinogens when grooming himself. Makes me kick myself for letting him smoke in the house all those years. Thanks so much for the show, and the websites!
From Jenny, outside Chicago, IL
Dear Jenny,
So sorry for your loss, and thanks, Jenny, for sharing your sad story as a warning to others. Our cigarette smoke eats away at our lungs little by little, and it takes cats down even more quickly. The irony is, it's avoidable! We're only just learning all this, so don't feel too bad. I shared a car, rooms, and airplane rides with a two pack-a-day smoker for eighteen years, so we're all learning something new every day. Thanks for writing.
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
Note: Some of the answers to the questions below are explained in greater detail in PDF files. Go here to get the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
