Feline solar dermatitis, or actinic dermatitis, is a pathology of the skin of our cats that arises as a result of frequent or continuous exposure to the sun, especially in white cats and in those areas with less hair, such as the area of the head in general (ears, around the eyes and lips). Those responsible are the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which damage the skin of our cats causing burns and injuries such as redness, peeling, thickening, itching and pain.
What is solar dermatitis in cats?
Solar dermatitis, also called actinic dermatitis, is a skin condition that occurs as a result of continuous and frequent exposure to ultraviolet rayscoming from the sun. The affected areas are usually those without pigment and with little hair density, such as the area of the eyelids, lips, nose, ears and fingers, as they are the most exposed.
A possible mechanism of action of solar dermatitis in cats is the release of certain mediators after sun exposure, such as serotonin, histamine, prostaglandins, free radicals and leukotrienes. Another possible mechanism is direct damage to the dermal vascular walls of cats.
Occurs more often in older cats, with an average age of 10 to 11 years, especially those living in the outside or spend long periods of time outside, although it can also occur in cats of any age who like to sunbathe on the balconies or windows of a home.
Symptoms of solar dermatitis in cats
Feline solar dermatitis usually affects the cat's head area, where signs and lesions such as the following may appear:
- Burns.
- Scaly skin, peeling.
- Crusts.
- Itchy.
- Pain.
- Head shaking and scratching due to itching and pain.
- Twitching movements of the auricle when it is affected.
- Erythema or redness.
- Thickening of the skin affected.
- Mild bleeding or ulcers due to self-trauma.
- Alopecia or hair loss in affected areas.
- Squamous cell carcinoma in advanced cases.
Causes of solar dermatitis in cats
The main cause of solar dermatitis in cats is sun exposure due to the effect of ultraviolet radiation from the sun's rays on the cats' skin, especially cats without pigment. There are two diseases associated with the effects of this solar radiation, solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinoma, the latter also sometimes being a consequence of the former.
The vast majority of these two diseases develop (around 80%) in the head area of cats, as it is the most exposed and unprotected due to its lower hair density. It usually occurs in cats without pigmentation, that is, white cats, although it can also appear in bicolor or tricolor cats that have white on their heads.
Diagnosis of solar dermatitis in cats
The first step in the diagnosis of feline solar dermatitis is to exclude other pathologies that can produce similar clinical signs and lesions on the skin, that is, carry out a differential diagnosis They must be differentiated with specific tests, such as biopsy of the lesions, and with the clinical history and examination of the cat. The main diseases to differentiate in the diagnosis of solar dermatitis in cats are the following:
- Notohedral mange
- Allergic dermatitis
- Skin autoimmune diseases
- Feline eosinophilic granuloma complex
- Fighting injuries
Something that can clearly lead to a diagnosis of solar dermatitis in cats is the presentation of lesions in the depigmented areas, especially the as well as a history of access to the outside or the habit of sunbathing regularly. Generally, cats with solar dermatitis have first degree burns in which only the superficial layer of the skin is involved, which is red and without blisters.
Treatment for solar dermatitis in cats
The treatment will consist of controlling the lesions, preventing their worsening and the appearance of new lesions avoiding exposure to the sun's ultraviolet raysTo control the lesions you can use corticoids and antibiotics Of course, the cream to be used for solar dermatitis in cats must be prescribed by the veterinarian.
Among corticosteroids, the use of prednisolone at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 1 week and then every other day is effective as an anti-inflammatory. Synthetic retinoids can also be used to control dermatitis and, in more advanced cases, radical surgery of the lesions may be necessary. Daily cleanings of burned areas and the use of intravenous fluids and even skin grafts may also be necessary. If squamous cell carcinoma has developed, it will require surgical removal and the use of techniques such as cryotherapy.
For cleaning, you should use clean gauze pads and physiological serum. Be very careful to avoid hurting your cat and getting a good scare.
Home remedies for solar dermatitis in cats
In the face of a burn of this type, we do not recommend applying home remedies, but rather follow the treatment stipulated by the veterinarian. To prevent this type of dermatitis, we insist, you should avoid your cat being exposed to the sun for long periods of time, especially between 12 in the morning and 4 in the morning in the afternoon as there is greater exposure to ultraviolet rays. It's also a good idea to apply cat sunscreen or use UV blocking window film.
