TOP CONCERNS SHARED BY HUMANS AND PETS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS – SUN & INSECTS
Did you know that pets, like humans, with too much sun exposure during the warm summer months, may result in sunburn and skin cancers? Pets may develop the same sun induced sunburn and skin cancers as seen in people. Although, reporting of skin cancer in pets is much more difficult and less exact than in people, veterinary dermatologists suggest that the number of suns induced skin cancer in pets occurs at comparable numbers as seen in people.
Along with the sun and warm weather comes an increase in insect populations. Not only are insect’s pests, but when in contact with people and pets, they may cause severe allergic skin reactions. Mosquitoes, fleas and ticks may carry dangerous pathogens that can be transmitted between animals and man. Diseases transmitted between humans and animals are zoonotic diseases. Examples of deadly zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks are the Zika virus and Lyme disease.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an arm of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), has delivered several alerts this year warning the general public to protect themselves and their pets from excessive sun exposure and insect bites. Leading protective measures offered by the CDC include regular daily use of sunscreen and insect repellant.
Epi-Pet skin topicals and omega-3 fish supplements offer natural “cross-over” products that are safe and effective in filtering excessive sunrays and repelling insects. The development of “cross-over” products or products created safe for pet and human use is one of the missions of Epi-Pet. The Epi-Pet Sun Protector Sunscreen Spray though is the only pet sunscreen authorized by the FDA to be used on pets. It is easily administered, non-greasy with a pleasant fragrance. Because it is formulated for the pet’s skin it can be used on both pet and human skin while human sunscreen is designed only for people’s skin. When used on pets, human sunscreen may damage pet‘s skin.