Have you seen a dog in the summer sun and wondered how he can stand the heat with his fur coat? Yes, that is a concern, but another enemy of our four-legged friend is SKIN CANCER. We expect that since their skin is covered, it would be protected from the sun, right?Unfortunately, DOGS GET SKIN CANCER, too. Remember that their wet noses, bellys, and pads of feet are particularly vulnerable to sun exposure. Dogs with light colored or thinning coats also have a higher chance for developing cancer.
Skin tumors, many of which can be cancerous, are the most common tumors in dogs.
Dogs develop three different types of skin cancer: Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Mast Cell Tumors. Melanomas and Mast Tumors are often fatal if left untreated. Like humans, though, these cancers can be treated effectively if caught early.
Remember!
- Always check your dog's skin for any unusual growths.
- Visit your veternarian when scheduled and ask questions regarding concerns.
- Keep your best friend out of the sun when possible.
- Avoid prolonged heat exposure.
- Always give him lots of cool water!
Sun Screens and Blocks do work for your dogs! Any Human Sunscreen or Block SPF 15 and over can protect your pet. Here is a link to Pet Sunblock at a Pet Supply Site:
http://furlongspetsupply.com/pet_sunscreen.aspx
Your Dog is your baby...make sure to protect him, too.
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