Study Finds Cigarette Exposure to Scottish Terriers Can Increase Risk of Bladder Cancer
Scottish terriers exposed to cigarette smoke were 6 times more likely to develop bladder cancer. Scottish terriers in general are more prone to cancers due to their genetics. Exposure can include inhaling second hand smoke or even just licking smoke-exposed surfaces. When the body takes in these chemicals, it eliminates them through urine.
This study also found, in this case, there was no link between lawn chemicals and bladder cancer. Which was interesting.
I guess they also used Scottish Terriers in this case because of how susceptible they are to cancers - if they did the same study on mixed breeds or many other breeds, it would take a much larger sample size and a much longer time for them to develop cancers. I find it interesting in how this may potentially skew results but also why aren't we seeing more cancer research done on Scotties?
The study was also partially funded by the Scottish Terrier Club of America, which I find EXTREMELY interesting, because usually breed clubs want NOTHING to do with research that shows such flaws in their breed (in this case, being prone to cancer) so props to them.
