Heatwave Alert: Did You Know The Sun Can Give Your Dog Solar Dermatitis

Heatwave Alert: Did You Know The Sun Can Give Your Dog Solar Dermatitis




July 1, 2009 by Ryan O'Meara



With the UK in the middle of a heatwave and warnings about too much sun
exposure and high temperatures, leading veterinary charity PDSA is
urging people to take care of their pets too.
Summer can be a wonderful for the nation’s pets to enjoy long
walks, playtime in the park and lazing in the garden but many owners
are not aware of the hazards to animals, particularly in very hot
weather. If pets are exposed to too much sun, it can cause heatstroke
and can cause a pet’s skin, particularly delicate areas such as
the nose or ears, to become sunburnt. Long-term sun exposure can prove
fatal, as like people, pets can also develop malignant skin cancer.
Pets can also develop a skin disease called solar dermatitis, caused
by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can affect dogs on their
nose, trunk or limbs and in cats solar dermatitis normally affects
those with white fur or damaged skin that is not protected by enough
hair.
To prevent your cats and dogs getting sunburnt, you need to reduce
their exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 8.00am and
5.00pm. Also ask your vet to recommend a suitable sun block, as they
will also be able to identify the areas of your pet’s skin that
are most likely to burn or be damaged.
To help keep your pets healthy and happy during the summer
particularly in very hot weather, PDSA has put together some useful
tips for owners.
1. Never leave pets in cars, not even for just a few minutes with
windows open as temperatures can soar dangerously high, causing
potentially fatal heat-stroke.
2. Don’t let pets sit out in strong sun, or leave hutches and bird cages in direct sunlight.
3. Use a suitable pet-safe sunscreen as advised by your vet.
4. Long-haired pets may need their fur trimming to prevent them from over-heating.
5. Walk your dog before 8am and after 5pm and only when outside
temperatures have cooled as hot road surfaces, pavements and sand can
burn a pet’s feet.
6. Make sure pets have access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times that is changed regularly throughout the day.
7. Make sure you regularly treat your pets and home for fleas as
they are a particular problem during the summer, particularly in hot
weather.
8. Leftover pet food can quickly go off in hot weather so discard any scraps as soon as possible to avoid flies.

1. 10 Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool in Hot Weather
   
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3. Children, Dogs and Hot Weather = Time for Extra Caution
   

I only walk mine when its cooler,early morning and late evening
never ever in the sun. :nhy:

excellent tips thanks Karen

we dont take Marley out for a walk til late evening when its hot......not that it happens very often on this north east coat!!

cheers for that karen..... unfortunately some days when its too hot fred has to go without a walk,unless the OH is at home and he can come with me at night time when its cooled down, around here after 6pm the nobheads let their dogs out to roam, so i dont risk it with fred .. it doesnt bother him too much, we play games instead, i throw pieces of meat around the garden and he has to try and find them, or i fill his kongs with treats... sme of our garden ss always shaded by a large gazebo, so he's okay under there