A couple of weeks ago my white rabbit had big scabs on both her ears and they dropped off (the scabs, not the ears:-) to leave lovely new pink skin underneath. I assume that it's sunburn as she spends 10/24hrs a day loose in the garden. I've been careful with her since then, but does anyone know if it's safe to use human suntan cream on rabbits?
Thanks
Jane

Yes, definitely - preferably a total sunblock. I remember seeing on TV a poor rabbit that developed malignant melanoma on its ears....white cats need it, too.

Thanks, but do you think human cream is OK. Rabbits are quite sensitive aren't they?
Jane

Jane - definitely use a sun block on her and I'd look to restrict her area during the hottest part of the day - forcing her into shade. One of my cats had white ears and she ended up with skin cancer because of the sun. We had no idea that is was a problem until it was too late. She was a darling and looked quite odd when her ears were amputated:( Another of our cats - at the same time I add so no time to learn lessons got it on his nose - he was a tabby but his nose was white with the pink flesh:( It eventually killed him as it got right into his face and they could do no more. So don't just look at her ears - but poss her nose as well. Shade is the better preventative though.

hth

Pam n the boys

In a similar vein to this my dobe likes to lie in the sun, but her ears are quite big and they are often inside out, if you know what I mean,:D do you think she could get seriously sunburnt inside her ears if she laid in the sun too long, and if so, should I use sun cream on her? She does move into the shade when she gets too hot but can be in the sun for half an hour or more at a time.
Bev

Ozvet sun block as designed for horses....its excellent!