Sun Damage is a Problem for Pets
Sun Damage is a Problem for Pets Sun damage is associated with skin problems in cats and dogs. Animals with white fur and pink skin are most at risk because their skin has little or no pigment. For white cats (and cats with white patches) the most common problem is sun damage to the ears, the white hairless area on the nose and the eyelids. Sun damage over the years causes subtle changes. These may progress to what seems like non healing scabs or scratches on the tips of the ears, the nose or eyelids. These may then go on to become squamous cell carcoma - a skin cancer which can cause ulceration of the nose, eyelids and ears. Treatment often involves surgery. Advanced disease especially of the nose is quite confronting to look at images are not included in this article. You may have noticed the odd white cat with stunted ear flaps. It is very likely they were surgically removed to treat squamous cell carcinoma. Crusting scabs on the ear tips are squamous cell carcinoma. There ar...