Going To The Beach With Your Pet
I recently saw a very sore nose on a white cat. The cat,
whose name is Johnny Cash, loves the sun. Unfortunately,
white cats have very little pigment and are prone to
sunburns and skin cancer. And sunburn is common in pale and
short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the
abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs.
A pet’s belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that
reflects up from the sidewalk. And dogs that spend a lot of
time at the beach can get sunburn from sun reflecting up
from hot sand.
Repeated, excessive exposure to UV radiation, and sunburn,
can lead to skin cancer. In particular, squamous cell
carcinoma - it’s similar in dogs and cats as it is in
humans. Breeds that are predisposed to cancer, such as
boxers and Weimaraners, therefore will need extra protection
from the sun.
Sunburn can also cause skin ulceration, leaving the skin
susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and
parasitic infections. Sun exposure may also exacerbate
autoimmune skin diseases in which the immune system attacks
skin cells, such as pemphigus and lupus.
So what can you, as a concerned pet owner, do?
To protect your pets from sunburn and the related
consequences, apply sunblock on the small susceptible areas
of skin, such as along the bridge of the nose, and on the
ear tips. It’s a good idea to also apply a line of sunblock
along any part in your pet’s fur, along the head or back.
For your cat, sunblock is usually sufficient. However, for
dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen.
Sunblock on the abdomen can rub off in tall grass, wash off
at the beach (in the water or rolling on the sand), or be
easily licked off by the dog or her playmates.
You can purchase spandex-type bodysuits that are designed to
block UV radiation. I strongly advise these for dogs who
spend a lot of time outside, especially dogs who regularly
visit the beach. And although the idea of bringing a
bodysuit-wearing dog to the beach may sound embarrassing or
ridiculous, it may be the most important - and the most
effective - sun protection you can provide for your dog.
Doggie bodysuits are becoming more and more common at some
beaches, and they don′t look ridiculous if all the other
dogs are wearing one
You should be able to find sunscreen made for pets at most
pet supply stores. Alternatively, you can apply zinc oxide
or PABA-free sunscreen. But be careful not to get the
sunblock in your pet’s eyes - it stings, just like it does
with us. So now that you’re prepared, go out and enjoy the
dog (and cat) days of summer.
Before you head out to the
(http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com) beach or park
with your pet, make sure you
(http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com) protect your dog
from sunburn and excessive UV exposure.
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