Vet issues suncream plea after cat loses ears to skin cancer

As the weather warms up, your cat may love to doze in the sunshine but — much like their owners — a nap in the sun can lead to nasty sunburn.

Katie Wood, a veterinary surgeon at Seadown Veterinary Hospital in Hythe, Hampshire, has advised owners to use sun cream on their pets after a sunburnt cat had to have her ears amputated.

When Bobble, a four-year-old white rescue cat, developed a cyst on one of her ears, her owner, Karen Evans, took her to the vet. Bobble had suffered sunburn as a kitten, which had resulted in peeling skin. While Evans had applied sun cream to Bobble’s ears, the earlier damage had caused skin cancer.

Wood recommended the removal of both ears to stop the cancer spreading further.

Bobble before the surgery

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Evans said: “The skin was peeling off her ears and had no natural fur protection when we found her, so whilst I have always put sun protection on her ears, I was also prepared for the day when the original sun damage might result in something more sinister.

“Bobble is a prime example of a cat who was exposed early in life to sun and of the extensive and painful damage it caused. I’m keen for other owners to know that they need to be vigilant and try to remember to use sun protection creams particularly on their pets that have pink, sensitive skin with little hair covering.”

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Wood said that Bobble’s history of sunburn and the lack of fur on her ears meant that she was at high risk of skin cancer. “Sunburn, especially in cats with lighter skin and fur colours or less fur can lead to skin cancer over time,” she said.

“Given Bobble’s ear damage I recommended amputation to ensure we removed the affected tissue and prevented further spread. Thankfully the surgery was successful in removing all of the cancer and Bobble has made a full recovery. She’s now doing wonderfully.

“The noses and ears are the most commonly affected areas in white or light-coloured cats. These parts of their bodies have little to no fur or pigmentation for protection, making them highly susceptible to sunburn.”

Bobble has made a full recovery

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Owners should be vigilant for early signs of sun damage in pets, such as redness, inflammation and hair loss. This can turn into dry, flaking or curling skin, particularly on the ears.

“This is a sign that the skin is beginning to suffer from long-term exposure to harmful UV rays,” Wood said. “In more severe cases the skin can become thickened and you may notice the formation of sores or lesions.” She advised owners to seek veterinary advice if they notice any of these symptoms and to get regular check-ups.