Skin Cancer Is Not Only A Human Disease | Pets and Animals

By SterlingOstin
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Word Count: 580

We humans are all too aware of the risks and dangers of skin cancer. We protect our children with high SPF sun block, and we protect ourselves by avoiding the sun during peak hours. But, not everyone realizes that pets are also susceptible to sun damage.

Can animals develop skin cancer as easily as humans can? Certainly. As a pet owner, you may be surprised to learn that your beloved dog or cat is very susceptible to the damaging rays of the sun. Care must be taken for his or her health and welfare. Use common sense. Provide plenty of shade and limit your pets' exposure to direct sunlight during peak hours.

The sun is not the only cause of skin cancer in pets, but it certainly is a major contributor. Other factors leading to animals' skin cancer include hormones, viruses, burns, and inoculations. Also, just like humans, some animals have a genetic predisposition to developing skin cancer. It is a disease that can run in your pet's family, as well as yours.

Like their fair-skinned human counterparts, light colored dogs and cats are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. Pets with white fur are, of course, at the higher end of the risk scale. Any parts of the body where the coat is thin are at greatest risk. These include the stomach, inside of a dog's hind legs, and the ear tips, pink noses, and outer eye areas on cats.

Take extra care with hairless breeds of dogs and cats, as they have no natural protection from the sun's rays. Pit bulls, pointers, bull terriers and Dalmatians are high-risk breeds. When a Dalmatian develops skin cancer, the disease will affect only the white areas and will not strike the black spots.

Like humans, skin cancer strikes pets later in life. When your dog or cat reaches about nine years of age, you should schedule veterinary checkups every six months. With early detection, your pet will have a better chance of surviving skin cancer.

Early detection is important, but it's not always enough. Skin cancer can progress quickly in six months, so you need to be aware of your pet's normal behaviour. Watch for signs that your pet has pain or discomfort. As caregiver, you need to be aware of changes in behaviour that can dictate the need for a thorough physical check-up.

Look for weight loss, changes in eating habits or a disinterest in taking part in everyday activities like playing and going for a walk.

Watch your pet closely for physical changes, as well. Note any changes to moles and watch for newly developed sores on your pet. If you spot anything, get your pet to the vet quickly.

Pets will often hide their discomfort to avoid disappointing their owners. Dogs and cats are very sensitive to the moods of their owners and, naturally, they want to please. Other animals follow their innate instinct to hide their symptoms out of fear. Illness equates weakness in the natural world, and weakness brings death, so it's only natural for your beloved pet to hide his or her illness from you.

Like humans, pets can develop skin cancer from excessive exposure to the sun. If your pet loves to spend time outdoors, be sure to provide a cool, shady resting spot, or simply limit the time spent outdoors to early morning or late afternoon and evening hours.

About the Author

Essayist Sterling Ostin writes for several Internet sites, on home improvement and family health themes.

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