Can cats get skin cancer from too much sun exposure?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

My white kitty's ears get sunburned. I am going to put sunscreen on them. Poor kitty. They look painful sometimes.

Here is picture of my Big Boy ...

[ZombieHorde]

1. I'm not a vet or a dermatologist, but I would guess yes, a cat can get skin cancer from

things that can give humans skin cancer. Here an article on pets and skin cancer:

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but it isn't just humans who need to be concerned about the pitfalls of too much sun exposure.

As a veterinary oncologist, I meet many vigilant pet owners who want to know how they can keep their pets healthy and identify cancer early on. The good news is that veterinarians can usually treat skin cancer successfully — as long as it's promptly identified.

Based on my professional experience, I've compiled five facts about skin cancer and pets that are sure to surprise you.

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-must-know-facts-about-skin-cancer-and-pets

Cute cat, by the way.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. thanks, ZombieHorde

*off to read the link*

[ZombieHorde]

5. Uh oh, this part looks bad.

Sunbathing Is Also Bad for Your Pet

For the most part, our pets have dense fur that acts as a natural sunscreen, but white-coated dogs and cats are the exceptions to this rule. In sunny parts of the country where pets spend a lot of time outside, like California and Colorado, sun exposure takes its toll on the thinly furred skin of the ears and nose of white dogs and cats. Dogs who sunbathe on their backs are also prone to developing squamous cell carcinoma in the thinly haired region of the tummy. Solar-induced squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with surgery or radiation therapy if found early, but prevention is simple: Limit your pet’s exposure to the sun.

Your cat looks like it has a white coat.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. thank you for that link, ZH ... look what I found:

Sunbathing Is Also Bad for Your Pet
For the most part, our pets have dense fur that acts as a natural sunscreen, but white-coated dogs and cats are the exceptions to this rule. In sunny parts of the country where pets spend a lot of time outside, like California and Colorado, sun exposure takes its toll on the thinly furred skin of the ears and nose of white dogs and cats. Dogs who sunbathe on their backs are also prone to developing squamous cell carcinoma in the thinly haired region of the tummy. Solar-induced squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with surgery or radiation therapy if found early, but prevention is simple: Limit your pet’s exposure to the sun.

I try to limit his exposure and he stays in the shade a lot anyway but,
I am going to put sunscreen on his ears and a dab on his nose, too.

as a precaution measure ...

[ZombieHorde]

8. I just posted that bit of bad news.

The sunscreen should help. It helps humans.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. yes, I got it from your link, thanks. Sure hope the sunscreen helps. Yesterday evening when he came

his ears were bright red and he did not want me to touch them. Usually, I can pet him all over. He is such a lovebug

[siligut]

25. See about using a white sunblock, the kind that uses tiny particles rather than chemicals

You know what I mean? Because she will clean herself and ingest it. Also, get some Aloe Vera for the already burned, hurty parts.

[arcane1]

2. My creature had a form of skin cancer, though it wasn't sun-related

Bowenoid insitu carcinoma, if I recall the name correctly.

I would imagine they can get damage from sunlight as well.

Cute kitty, I hope the ears feel better!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. oh dear. I hope your kitty is ok. poor thing.

thanks, arcane1

[arcane1]

13. Sadly, she's gone now, after living 19 full years

Give your sweet kitty a hug for me (and for you!)

[csziggy]

7. Yes, we had a kitty with a white nose that got skin cancer on her nose

She was a bobtail domestic kitty and her name was Stubbs. She was a grey & white tuxedo cat who appeared at the farm when she was tiny. She introduced herself by walking up to a 16'3" hand horse and yelling at the rider on top. She was about half the size of the horse's hoof.

We knew she had sores on her nose, but thought they were just mice nips - she was a barn kitty and a master mouser. It wasn't until she started losing weight that we realized that she had cancer on her nose that had spread all through her body. We put her to sleep when she no longer enjoyed life.

Stubbs spent her entire life outdoors in Florida sun which certainly contributed to her cancer. I never thought about putting sunscreen on her - I don't do it for myself, either.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. ah, poor Stubbs. she was a good'un. may she rest in peace. and, yes csziggy ---

Use Sunscreen!! please

[csziggy]

11. I still miss Stubbs - she was a a wonderful kitty

She loved the horses and would stay out in the pasture with them, especially when stray dogs showed up. My mares would run down the dogs (and any canines) and try to stomp them. But they loved Stubbs and would pet her with their noses and rub their upper lips on her to scratch her butt.

For years my allergies kept me from using most lotions and creams because they contained fragrances - and most sunscreens had fragrances in them. Now, I should get some of the non-greasy ones that are hypoallergenic to use, but I spend much less time in the sun than I used to. At this point, any damage is probably done and skin cancers will show up later in life. My dad, who spent much of his life outside, didn't start getting skin cancers until he was in his 80s. He just turned 90 and has had three non-malignant areas removed. I hope I inherited his genes for cancer resistance!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. I hope you inherited them, too.

"...and rub their upper lips on her to scratch her butt."

[Flaxbee]

20. same here - my sister's mostly white - some black cat Mr. Peabody got skin cancer on his nose...

they were able to have the vet laser it off, the way they remove some human skin cancers. It came back, another laser trip ... and Mr. Peabody lived a long and healthy life; the cancer was not what did him in at the end, it was old age.

Do watch carefully - the little pink noses and ears can definitely develop cancers -- it can usually be treated if caught early enough.

[csziggy]

22. If I ever have another cat with a white nose I will watch carefully

We just didn't know that cats could get skin cancer. Our horse vet, who is not a cat person, was doing the routine stuff for the barn kitties. She just was not up on what the lesions on Stubbs's nose might be - and the barn kitties were generally very healthy and only ever got vaccinations and dewormings, nothing else.

[mainer]

30. Same here. Black cat, white nose, with nasal skin cancer

At 19 years of age, that's why we had to put her to sleep. This was in southern California, with lots of sun exposure.

[NV Whino]

14. Yes

Ears and noses are particularly susceptible. I speak from experience.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. I am going to sunscreen him every morning before I leave for work.

thanks, NV Whino

[NV Whino]

16. He'll hate it on his nose, but do it anyway.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. He was pretty good with his ears today. If I can just get a quick dab to the nose.

He really is pretty good with all this stuff.

He had to learn because he had ear mites when I got him and lord! Those things are tenacious!

Poor Kitty. He hated it but, he let me treat him. I would wrap him in a towel. Would have to hide it and bottle of medicine behind my back and sneak up on him but, once caught he allowed himself to be dosed. Then down her would jump shaking his head and pawing at his ears. It was kinda funny.

[petronius]

17. Too cute - love the picture!

Looks like he's wondering why you're messing with a camera and not squeezing the kitty...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. he is my Handsome Fella, just awake from a nap - thanks! here is a gratutious pic of his sister:

she is my Pretty Girl:




good to see you, petronius

[petronius]

29. Aww, she could be the twin sister of my (now departed) big guy...

You have an adorable family!

[Irishonly]

21. We had two black and white cats

Both of them had white around their eyes and our vet told us specifically to watch out for skin cancer around the eyes. Both lived until they were almost 20. At the time we owned Charlie and Sammie vets were saying the more white on an animal, the more you had to watch. I do not know how much weight the statement holds today.

[MrMickeysMom]

23. I dunno, but...

He's so darned cute, make the little boy wear a bonnet. Give his belly a rub for me, will ya?

[sakabatou]

24. I know their noses can get sunburned.

[Arugula Latte]

26. Darling kitty! Can you keep him inside more?

That would help w/ sun exposure and also cut down on his chances of coming to harm through cars, etc.

[goodthanksandyou]

27. What a beautiful cat! As far as your question...

I am almost certain that cats can get skin cancer.

My dog had a growth on the inside of his earflap, and the vet biopsied it to make sure that it was not skin cancer. I would imagine it is the same way with cats.

It turns out it was just a benign growth.

Check with your vet. He/She would be able to tell you for certain, and also be able to tell you if/what type of sunscreen or preventive measures would be appropriate.

[raccoon]

28. Yes. I had a white cat who got cancer on her ears.Had to have the outer part of her ears removed.nt

[Kali]

31. ...