Non-Profit News

Dear Porky and Buddy: I had my yellow lab, Ginger, shaved earlier this summer because she always seems so hot and she seemed to like that, but I noticed yesterday when we got home from the beach that the skin on her back seemed a little red. Could she have gotten a sunburn? I didn't know that was possible. I feel sort of guilty now. Signed, Ellen

Dear Ellen,

Sometimes guilt is a good thing. It's not generally a good idea to shave dogs closely because their fur is good protection from the sun. (It also has insulating properties that help with the heat.) Skin cancer is a serious issue for all dogs with pale skin and short hair, like white pitbulls, greyhounds and other related mixed breed dogs and even cats with pink noses. Since you basically turned Ginger into a short-haired pale skin dog when you had her shaved, she is going to need protection now. Statistically speaking, 33% of tumors in dogs start on the skin and 25% of those are malignant. 25% of all cancer in cats starts in the skin, and a whopping 75% of feline skin cancers are malignant.

So you need to treat sun exposure as carefully with your pets as your toddlers and yourself. Avoid the hottest and sunniest part of the day for walks and playing. Tint the windows where your cat naps with a privacy film with UV protection. You can find such film at the big box home supply stores. Get Ginger and yourself some sun safe clothing. Make sure it is fashionable so you don't embarrass her. Finally, there are sun screens for animals. Get her some. She has already been burned once. Don’t let it happen again. (Don’t use human sunscreen—you don’t know whether it has been tested for cats or dogs.) And check her skin carefully all over at least once a month for any bumps or lesions that look odd to you and report them to your vet.

Remember, summer is wonderful in Oswego County and all too fleeting—so enjoy it, but don’t let it be dangerous to your best friend.

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Our office is located at 29 West Seneca Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070.
Email:ochscontact@hotmail.com. Because people & pets are good for each other.