DO dogs and cats get sunburn? Yes they do! It is called solar dermatitis. Even though pigmentation (gives skin a dark color, whether all over or in spots and splotches), and hair coat can offer some protection from the sun.
Skin disease associated with sunlight is increased with no pigment which includes white dogs and cats, or white areas on your dog or cat. Thin hair or hairless areas decrease the suns protection as well. Especially ears, and tummy.
Other risks include the breed, outdoor housing, and increased sunlight.
Sunburn happens quickly, and is similar to when sunburn happens in people. The skin becomes very red and starts to peel after some hours. Discomfort, mild pain and wounds to the skin are often seen. More importantly sunburn can lead to further inflammation and scarring Sometimes there is no evidence of sunburn, but the animal, especially cats, gets too much exposure to the sun. Even cats who are indoors but sleep often – we all know how cats like their naps – by sunny windows can get too much exposure to harmful sun rays.
In cats we look especially at ear tips, nose and eyelids. In dogs we look at these areas and at their lips, tummy and other hairless areas.
Continued sunburn or sun exposure can lead to more severe disease such as skin cancer. In cats the significant and potentially devastating cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. In dogs we are concerned about this disease as well, and also others such as hemangiosarcoma. Unfortunately the list of signs to watch for sunburn can also indicate other disease including cancer.
These signs are red or pink skin; hair loss; excess scratching or shaking the head; scabs, crusts or wounds; deformed ear flaps or ear tips; swelling or lumps – again, many conditions can cause these signs. A veterinarian is the best to diagnose and help with a treatment program.
What can be done to prevent these conditions
Keep your pet away from the sun during peak hours. Animal friendly sunscreen applied to vulnerable areas such as ears. If skin condition has not improved within a week then a vet visit is recommended. Further if your pet is uncomfortable, has a serious wound or other signs of illness then a vet visit sooner would be better.
Many skin diseases require a biopsy with the animal under heavy sedation or anesthesia to obtain. The sample is sent to a veterinary laboratory for a microscopic examination for diagnosis. The alternative is a very educated list of possibilities by a veterinarian, and trying treatments. One has to watch very carefully the response, and report as directed on improvement or not. If you want to look up some of the diseases mentioned make sure you find a veterinary school or hospital website to get useful and accurate information. Log onto https://www.rspcasa.org.au/protect-white-pets-from-sunburn/ for more information
- JO OLVER is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.
