IT'S well known that humans need to protect their skin from the summer sun by wearing suntan lotion – but many people don't realise that their pets need protection as well.
Exposure to intense sunlight can cause pets' skin to burn in the same way as humans, and in severe cases can even lead to a type of malignant skin cancer.
The delicate areas around the ears and nose are particularly vulnerable, as are areas with
thin or white fur.
Applying pet suntan lotion specially made for furry animals can help prevent this.
Both cats and dogs can suffer from solar dermatitis, a skin disease caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation which affects the nose, body and limbs.
Solar dermatitis of the body and limbs is most commonly seen in dogs with thin coats or light skin pigmentation, such as Dalmatians, English Bull Terriers and White Boxers.
It also affects cats with white fur or damaged skin. Blue-eyed, white-coated cats are the most vulnerable.
In dogs, it tends to develop on the lightly pigmented and sparsely haired areas of a dog's nose. The first signs are redness and scaling, which develop into ulcers. These may heal and leave a scar, but in more serious cases develop into cancer.
In cats the tips of the ears are at the greatest risk, but the lower eyelids, nose and lips can also be affected. Initial signs include redness and hair loss, with lesions which get worse each summer.
PDSA senior veterinary surgeon Elaine Pendlebury says: "In order to prevent your pet getting sunburnt, you should reduce their exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 10am and 5pm, when the sun is strongest.
"Take your dog for a walk in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest time of day and make sure your cat has plenty of areas where it can shelter when outside.
"You should also ask your vet to recommend a suitable pet sunblock. They will also be able to show you the areas of your pet's skin that are most likely to burn or be damaged."
If your pet does get burnt they may need medication to prevent the affected area becoming infected. In addition, cats with severe cases may need the tips of their ears removed, especially if there is a possibility of cancer, so take your pet to see a vet as soon as possible if you are concerned.
The PDSA has a Holiday Health for Pets guide, which contains more information about protecting your pets in the sun, and tips on helping your pet cope with unfamiliar holiday surroundings and dealing with hidden hazards such as poisonous plants and chemicals not normally found at home.
The leaflet also contains information about beach safety, as a trip to the seaside can be full of hidden hazards for your pet.
Every year the papers cover stories of dogs falling over cliffs or getting swept out to sea.
They can also cut their paws on broken glass, or injure themselves by fetching sticks rather than Frisbees or suitably sized balls.
Often dogs may only be allowed to walk on the beach outside the holiday season, and even then only on a lead.
For more information about keeping your pets safe this summer, log onto www.pdsa.org.uk/summerhealth.html.
The full article contains 561 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
