Question:
Not long ago, a specialist did a CT scan on our 8-1/2-year-old golden retriever. Sadly, she has several spots of cancer throughout, including many on her lungs. I do not know what type of cancer it is, but I was told that it probably originated somewhere in her abdomen. She has trouble breathing, although she is still very happy, as golden retrievers generally are, but her time is limited.How do dogs get cancer? One thing that concerns me is my dog's fetish for tennis balls. She will chase one down at all costs and usually has two in her mouth. What chemicals are tennis balls treated with, and could they possibly cause cancer? Could particles or fibers being inhaled cause cancer? If this is possible, why are dog owners not informed about the dangers of tennis balls?.
M.M., Easton, Ct Mar 04, 2007
Answer:
Some cancers are caused by retroviruses or by carcinogenic chemicals, notably pesticides and various industrial pollutants. Most cancers have a complex genesis that can include genetic susceptibility, dietary factors and immune-system impairment.I doubt that tennis balls caused your dog's lung cancer. After all, the tennis balls would be soaked in saliva, which would make inhalation of fibers unlikely. But because new balls have considerable wool and nylon "fuzz" that dogs could inhale, I would err on the side of caution and either give dogs plain rubber balls (made of natural rubber, which is purportedly a safe vegetable product) or well-used tennis balls rather than new ones. Tennis balls are made of latex as well as rubber, and latex hypersensitivity could be a problem for some animals. Chances are your dog's cancer began in her breast and metastasized to her internal organs and lungs.
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