‘Protect Your Pet This Summer’ Warns Battersea
Snowy the cat has skin cancer on her ears, noticeable by the dark pigmentation on the tips of the ears.
The charity is encouraging pet owners to check their pet’s ears and nose regularly for any signs of sin cancer and to seek advice from their vets on what products can be used to help protect their pets from sun damage.
“White cats and cats with pale ears and noses are particularly at risk from skin cancer” explains Nikki Draper, Battersea vet. “Dogs are also at risk, but cats more so because they are often out in the sun for longer periods of time.”
Nikki also has this recommendation for pet owners: “If you notice any pigmentation, crusting or unidentified lesions on the nose or ear tips, seek advice from your vet immediately. If spotted early, your pet may need a simple operation to remove the tips of the ears, but if left, the cancer will spread and it can be fatal.”
Stray Snowy, a friendly white cat, is just one example of the many cats that come into the Home with sun damage. After a medical assessment upon arrival, veterinary staff found she had skin cancer on her ears and she will need a Pinnectomy – an operation to remove the ear tips – before she can be rehomed. Ros Davies, Battersea rehomer says: “This time of year we get a lot of white cats in with sun damage to their ears and nose. It’s important that pet owners remember that when they are applying sun lotion to themselves, they spare a bit for their furry friends too.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
