The Derm Vet Podcast

301. Solar Dermatitis

Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, Dip ACVD Season 6 Episode 301

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Solar dermatitis (actinic keratosis) is skin damage from prolonged UV exposure, affecting both dogs and cats, particularly those with light-colored or thin coats. So, pets that have white fur and live in high UV exposure areas (like the southern US) are predisposed. Symptoms include redness, scaling, hair loss, and thickened, crusty skin. Commonly affected areas include the nose, ears, abdomen, and inner thighs. 

This condition can lead to more severe issues, including pre-cancerous lesions and aggressive skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma. We will discuss ways to identify this disease and treatment options such as CO2 laser ablation, etc.

00:00 – Intro
04:06 – Nasal Solar Dermatitis
06:32 – Classic Canine Solar Dermatitis
08:15 – Treatment Options for Solar Dermatitis
16:52 – Outro