A feline named Smurf, hailing from Belfast, recently underwent an amputation of her ears after suffering from sunburn. Last autumn, she was found on the streets and believed to have been in a car accident. Upon being taken to a veterinarian, her right eye and ear tips were removed due to severe sun damage, and she has since been placed in a new home. Following this incident, Cats Protection has issued a warning to pet owners, instructing them to keep their cats indoors and apply sunscreen on hot summer days to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
According to Kate Large, the owner of Smurf, her cat did not contract skin cancer in Lisbon or Madrid. Rather, Smurf suffered from the damage caused by the limited amount of sun exposure in Northern Ireland, where she lived for less than a year. Large, who is a volunteer at an animal shelter, admits that she was not aware that cats could experience such severe sun damage prior to adopting Smurf. She believes that many pet owners are not educated on this matter and would be devastated if their beloved cats suffered from preventable illnesses. Large adopted Smurf after her previous kitten died from a mutated coronavirus, which forced her to self-isolate for seven weeks.
According to the speaker, Smurf is a very docile cat who is grateful for the simple things in life. The charity’s aim is to increase people’s understanding of the harmful effects of sun damage, which can even affect indoor cats. Sarah Elliott, a veterinary officer at Cats Protection, warns that cats may enjoy basking in the sun, but it can be hazardous in extreme heat, just like it is for humans.
On a chilly day, the sun may still cause harm to your beloved feline. Cats with light-colored fur, such as Smurf, have an elevated risk of damage, as well as those with unpigmented white ears or noses. Although it may take some time for the effects to become noticeable, once cancerous cells start to develop, immediate veterinary assistance is crucial to prevent further spreading. Nevertheless, you can take preventive measures to shield your pets from the sun by following some straightforward guidelines.
It is advised that pet owners should keep their furry friends inside during the peak of the sun’s heat. Consulting with a veterinarian about the appropriate sunscreen for their pets is also a good practice. It is important to provide ample shade and hydration for pet cats when they are outside. To prevent overheating, placing a towel-wrapped plastic bottle filled with frozen water in a spot where the cat often sits can be helpful.
