Snowball is a squamous cell carcinoma survivor. His owner was afraid treatment would destroy his dashing good looks, but as you can see, he’s still handsome with his rounded ear tips.
June is Cancer from the Sun Month. White and light-skinned cats and dogs are particularly at risk. Light-skinned pets exposed to ultraviolet sunlight may develop squamous cell carcinoma especially on the ear tips and nose. Early detection and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma is critical.
The disease is seen most frequently in cats who in cats that spend a lot of time in the sun and those who live in high altitudes. “This kind of cancer is most commonly seen in older cats.”
The cancerous lesions most often appear on the temples, the outer tips of the ears (pinnae), the eyelids, the lips and the nose. The tumors usually single, small and poorly outlined, with irregular, hardened borders.
This disease occurs in older cats and may first become apparent in summer, when sunlight exposure is greatest. Symptoms include reddening of the ear tip, hair loss and flaking of skin on the ear tip or scale and inflamed skin like psoriasis.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your kitty, take him to the vet immediately.
This flamedepoint named Snowball was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at the age of eight. He lost the tips of his ears, but he lived to the age of 12.
To reduce the chance of your cat or dog developing skin cancer, lf you white or light-colored cats to sun exposure to times when the sun isn’t a intense. Apply pet-safe sunscreens to the ears of light-colored cat who are outside during intense exposure.
Recent Comments