Mesothelioma and asbestos-related health conditions are not strictly applicable to humans. Sadly, animals such as dogs and cats can also develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Since animals also have mesothelial cells in the lining of their lungs, abdomen and heart, asbestos fibers can cause these cells to become cancerous overtime.
The lifespan of pets is much shorter than humans and asbestos exposure often affects animals at a more rapid rate. While a mesothelioma diagnosis may occur 15 to 50 years following initial asbestos exposure in humans, animals typically demonstrate symptoms of the cancer more quickly. The average age of mesothelioma onset in dogs is 8 years old and the cancer is more common in dogs than in cats.
Studies reveal that mesothelioma is more prevalent in certain dog breeds such as Irish Setters, German Shepherds and Bouvier des Flandres and male dogs are more susceptible to mesothelioma than females.
Mesothelioma symptoms demonstrated by pets are similar to the symptoms expressed by humans with the cancer. Coughing, shortness of breath, fluid around the lungs and loss of appetite as a result of abdominal pain are common symptoms of mesothelioma. Pets may experience difficulty exercising and sleep patterns may also change.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma in humans as well as pets. Though the cancer typically develops in the lining of the lungs in animals (known as the pleura), mesothelioma may also develop in the lining of the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) or the pericardium (lining of the heart), though these cases are extremely rare.
If an owner suspects their pet may have mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness, speaking with a veterinarian is recommended. Veterinarians will typically examine the animal and if an asbestos-related disease is suspected, suggest an imaging test (such as an x-ray or CT scan) and/or a biopsy to test cells for the presence of cancer. If an animal is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery to remove fluid around the lungs (known as thoracentesis) may be recommended, though the high cost of treatment may not make this a possible option for many owners. Sadly, in many cases euthanasia may be recommended.
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