[Todd]

We all know that x rays and other types of radiation can be harmful to us humans but it can have similar effects on our dogs. Weather it's an x ray or radiation therapy there are risks from the radiation including heart problems. This may be helpful especially to those of you who have dogs with heart problems like Barb's dogs. The article I will share with you is the first page/the abstract of an 11 page article which you can purchase at the link I will give you for $10.00. Here is the abstract or sumary of sorts as well as the link.

Abstract

Ten dogs received a single exposure of 10 MeV X rays to the heart. Five dogs received 1500 rad to the midline and five received 1000 rad. When the dogs expired or were killed 73-85 days after irradiation, their hearts were examined pathologically. The changes most frequently observed were pericardial effusion and in the right atrium, myocardial necrosis, and fibrosis. The data suggest that under the conditions of this experiment, irradiation of the canine heart causes greatest damage to the right atrium.

JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie

Here's the abstract of another article from the same source about the effects of the canine heart and lungs as a result of radiation.

Abstract

In this study three groups of four adult beagle dogs were irradiated with a 12-Gy single dose to the thorax. The fields used were the entire thorax, the entire thorax with a heart block in place, and the heart with one-third of the lung volume. The response of the lung was evaluated by cellular and biochemical analysis of sequential bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, blood gas analysis, physical examination, and histopathology. Sparing a small volume of lung improved survival. Cardiac function was evaluated by right heart catheterization, echocardiography, physical exam, and histopathology. Pulmonary artery pressure was increased in all dogs, mean systemic artery pressure was decreased in all dogs, and no difference could be shown among the groups. These effects are likely secondary to a reduced pulmonary capillary volume. Stroke volume was significantly deceased in dogs that had their hearts included in the field but not in dogs with their hearts shielded. This effect was not thought to be secondary to lung injury. The influence of lung irradiation on cardiac function was limited to pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension may be enhanced by the release of vasoactive compounds. Pulmonary hypertension may contribute to radiotion-induced heart failure.

JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie

With more research I also found that radiation can also potentially cause other organ issues and disorders such as cancer, liver failure, and kidney failure.

The moral of the story is you may want to avoid radiation therapy if possible, sometimes it's neccessary, and or x rays, again sometime they're neccessary. If there is an alternative competant use it. If you have a dog with a compromised organ or immune system you really want to be careful with x rays and other forms of radiation. Be aware of the risks and weight them with the benefits.