Sun-burning cats and lumpy skin

(Related:Feline Lymphoma/Cancer/Tumours)

From the Nana Roxy Mama Suki Lala blog:

Like how cats that are black-and-white with white/pink noses are prone to
squamous carcinoma caused by lack of pigment (melanin) at their noses and theywill start to nosebleed. Apparently, it’s treated by tattooing the nose so
sunlight won’t get to the cells. Amazing … (* A Wildlife Veterinarian *)

squamous carcinoma (disturbing pic of cat with bleeding nasal area)

Cats are even better sun worshipers than people and most of them can lie in it
all day without burning or damaging their skin. However, this is not true for
some cats – like pale skinned people, cats with white non-pigmented areas of
skin (often with only a sparse covering of hair) can suffer damage to the skin
which can be very serious… more

Teddy is a pure white non-pedigree, a DSH. Now I feel better that he doesn’t have sunbath opportunities – the orientation of our home just makes it really moot.

Additional ref: Causes of Pigment & Color Changes in the Skin & Coat. Cancer in cats.

(Created: 10 Oct 06. Updated: 10 August 2007)