As a human, you know the importance of protecting your exposed skin before heading out to bask in the sun's warmth. Those ultraviolet rays pose the risk for skin cancer, especially if you have a light complexion. Did you know that your cat could also suffer cancerous consequences as a result of sun worshipping? Find out more about cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in cats, if your cat is at greater risk and what you can do to try to prevent it.

Prevalence and Appearance

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, lymphoma remains the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in feline medicine, but skin cancer ranks second. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma comes in as the fourth most frequently diagnosed form of skin cancer. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma initially appears as a tiny raised scab or white growth on the skin's surface where a cat's hair is light-colored or thin. The lesion grows, ulcerates, bleeds and does not heal. Roughly 30 percent of affected cats have multiple skin lesions, which typically appear on the outer tips of the ears, on the nose, lips and eyelids. The most common cause of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in cats is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, particularly in cats with elevated risk factors.

Risk Factors and Prognosis

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is most typically detected in older cats.

Any cat can develop cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma on areas of their body where hair cover is thin. However, the following cats are those at the highest risk:

• Cats with white or light-colored coats.
• Hairless cat breeds, such as the Sphynx.
• Cats with pink noses.
• Cats with areas of sparse hair on their bodies.
• Cats who reside in particularly sunny climates, such as southern California or Florida.
• Cats who dwell at high altitudes.
• Cats who spend most of their daylight hours exposed to full sunlight.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is malignant, meaning that it eventually metastasizes to affect other parts of the cat's body. The good news is that if the cancer is diagnosed before it has had a chance to spread, successful treatment through surgery, radiation, cryotherapy or photodynamic therapy is likely and the prognosis for the affected cat is good. However, once the cancer has infiltrated a nearby lymph node and spread to internal organs or bone, the cat's longterm prognosis is poor. There are steps that you can take to ensure the best possible outcome for your cat.

Prevention and Early Detection

Protect your cat by making the effort to reduce her chances of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Practice the following tips to prevent this dreaded illness:

• If your cat goes outdoors, try to keep her inside during the hours when the sun peaks at its highest position and the ultraviolet rays are strongest, which is typically between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
• Coax your indoor cat to lounge someplace other than on the sun-drenched windowsill during those peak sunlight hours.
• Whether your cat goes outdoors or remains strictly indoors, provide an inviting shaded area where your cat can enjoy hanging out.
• If your cat refuses to abandon her windowsill, install a window shade that is designed to block ultraviolet rays from streaming through, and keep the shade down during peak sunlight hours.
• Consider applying a pet-safe sunscreen that is safe for use in cats to the tips of your kitty's ears.

Get in the habit of inspecting your cat's ears, nose, eyelids, lips and all other body parts thoroughly on a daily basis while the two of you are having a bonding moment. This will be helpful in discovering any new lumps, bumps, swelling and lesions immediately so that you can address them to your veterinarian before they have a chance to metastasize.

A cat snoozing blissfully in a patch of sunlight is a heartwarming scene, and she loves soaking up the comforting warmth. By following these tips, you can allow her to enjoy her sunbathing pastime while keeping her safer from the sun's damaging rays. For more information, contact a business such as Bodily Veterinary Clinic.