Skin serves as a protective shield between a cat's body and the outer environment. That barrier may not function correctly in cats with skin issues. It impairs their body's defenses and frequently causes severe discomfort.
Cat skin disease is simple to identify because it is one of the few organs that can be seen very well with the naked eye. However, there are many reasons why cats acquire skin diseases, so the only way to be sure is to take your cat to the vet.
Common signs of skin diseases in cats
How a cat reacts to a skin condition is among the most apparent symptoms of a problem. These include nibbling at the skin and licking it excessively. Other behaviors include rubbing against carpet or furniture. Additional indicators include:
- Inflamed or reddened skin
- Scabs and sores
- Rough skin
- Bald spots
- Matted hair
- Rashes
- Lumps
Depending on what is causing the disease, the symptoms may change. It would help to contact your veterinarian when you identify a problem because several skin conditions might present with comparable symptoms. Your pet's veterinarian can precisely diagnose the problem and suggest a successful action.
Depending on what is causing the disease, the symptoms may change. You should contact your veterinarian when you identify a problem because several skin conditions might present with comparable symptoms. Your pet's veterinarian can precisely diagnose the problem and suggest a successful action.
Remember that cats are infamous for concealing or covering up symptoms of a sickness or illness. Even while scratching, cats may wait till their cat parents leave the house or look for quiet places to scratch. Hence, it is crucial to schedule annual examinations with your vet.
If your cat is showing any severe symptoms of skin allergy/diseases, book an appointment with us at DiscoverVet immediately.
Common skin diseases in cats
1. Fleas
Cats, like dogs, are prone to catching these bothersome tiny pests. Even indoor-only cats are susceptible to contracting fleas from other household pets. The fleas themselves can be uncomfortable, and their bites can give some cats an allergic reaction and a lot of itching.
Ways to prevent fleas infestation in cats
Take a close look at the skin and fur of your cat if you think it may have fleas. Fleas prefer warm places to congregate and may hang out at the base of the ears or close to the back, though they can be found anywhere on your cat. How to look for them is as follows:
- Take the fur apart and search for tiny, maybe moving brown specks.
- Be persistent because as you look for fleas, they often flee in the opposite direction.
- Look out for flea droppings, which resemble black pepper or mud.
One method is to have your cat brush against white paper. Any few specks that develop can be dampened with a bit of water. If the dots turn red, flea feces may be present. The tiny pest's consumption of the blood is what gives the liquid its crimson hue.
Treatment for flea bites/allergies in cats
It's crucial to remember that cats might react exceptionally negatively to flea remedies. Before utilizing any over-the-counter medications, make sure to consult your veterinarian. To book an appointment, visit DiscoverVet now!
The majority of cats respond well to direct flea treatment. The efficacy of many flea-removal products, such as topicals (Revolution), collars (Seresto), and orals (Credelio), has been established.
Both topical sprays and daily pills (Capstar) can treat inflamed cat skin and reduce the number of live fleas on the animal's fur. Be sure that anything you apply to their skin is safe for consumption because they will likely groom it off.
2. Ringworms
A fungus, not a worm, actually brings on Ringworm. The term's reference to "rings" refers to the circular lesions on the skin after an infection. Ringworm spores on the fur or in the air can spread the disease, which is highly contagious. Ensure to keep sick dogs or cats away from other animals in the house. Very young cats, old, have health difficulties, or all of these, can be more prone to Ringworm.
If your cat has ringworm infestation, you may see bald patches, dry or scaly skin, and irritation surrounding the rings when a cat has Ringworm.
Ways to prevent ringworms in cats
It is best advised to visit your veterinarian if your cat has Ringworm so they might provide antifungal medication for a speedy recovery; however, in terms of homecare,
To prevent the fungus and its spores from remaining, you should also wash and disinfect any bedding, blankets, or other places where your cat has spent time. To help get rid of spores, it may be beneficial to clip your cat's long hair.
The spores of this fungus can be eliminated using solid detergents, benzalkonium chloride, or making a diluted chlorine bleach solution, mixing 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. This will give you a 1:10 ratio of bleach to water.), claims the ASPCA®. However, never combine cleaning agents. Hazardous gasses could result from this.
Treatment of ringworms in cats
The cat receives oral and topical medication as part of the treatment. Cleaning your cat's habitat at home is essential to halting infection transmission and lowering the possibility of reinfection.
Topical therapy
When there are minor lesions, treatment applied directly to the skin can be used alone; however, it is typically combined with oral medication. Topical therapy works by obliterating fungus spores instantly, which is beneficial in reducing the contamination of other animals and the environment. Depending on your cat's diagnosis, topical treatment will typically continue for weeks or months.
Topicals consist of:
- Miconazole/clotrimazole creams
- Ointments
- Shampoos
- Lime-sulfur dips
- Oral therapy
Oral therapy targets the fungus to prevent reproduction and spread and is the most effective method of treating ringworm in cats. After being treated, only the original fungus is left, which is removable with additional treatments. Each of these pills for oral use aids in the treatment of Microsporum, the most prevalent variety of Ringworm in cats. Environmental disinfection is crucial because this particular fungus leaves behind spores in the environment.
One of the following medicines from your veterinarian is possible:
- Itraconazole
- Terbinafine
- Griseofulvin
Antifungal medications may cause adverse effects, which should be considered before beginning treatment. Individual cats may respond differently, but the infection may return if treatment is stopped too soon. It is advisable to have at least 4 to 6 weeks for this task. After the start of treatment, ringworm cultures are done to see if the infection is still there. Usually, the course of treatment is continued until two successively negative ringworm cultures are produced, 2 to 4 weeks apart.
Cleaning the environment
Infected cat hairs containing microscopic spores may have contacted your home. Contact with the polluted surroundings might result in reinfection of the sick cat and infection of humans and other animals. Environmental sanitization techniques include:
maintaining the region as spore-free as feasible
trimming hair and treating skin blemishes topically
An effective way to remove pet hair from surfaces is by using a lint roller or a vacuum with a pet hair attachment: furniture and floors.
Environmental disinfectants are used to keep impacted spaces clean, and a rigorous cleaning schedule is maintained to prevent re-contamination or spread.
3. Allergic Reactions
Due to their sensitivity, cats may acquire allergies at some point in their lives. Pollen, shampoos, household cleaners, perfumes, cigarette smoke, a range of meals, and fleas are just a few of the things that cats can be sensitive to.
Work with your veterinarian to determine the allergen if you believe your cat may be allergic to something.
Medication, such as an antihistamine, may be helpful in some circumstances. Never, however, administer medication to your cat without consulting your veterinarian, please.
To consult a vet, book an appointment now at DiscoverVet.
The severity of cat allergy symptoms varies according to an individual's sensitivity and the amount of exposure to allergens. These elements also affect how quickly symptoms appear following exposure. Susceptible individuals can have symptoms, such as breathing difficulties or a rash, within minutes of petting a cat or entering a cat's home.
Symptoms of a cat allergy include:
- Having a runny or stuffy nose or sneezing
- Facial pain brought on by a stuffy nose
- Symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing indicate respiratory distress.
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes, itching or hives
It is essential to seek medical attention to receive a proper diagnosis if you experience these symptoms.
Ways to prevent and treat an allergic reaction in cats
To stay on the safer side, it is best advised to get an allergy test done for your cat as soon as you notice a symptom. Allergies to insects (fleas), foods, atopic dermatitis (house dust, pollen, and molds), and contacts are the four most prevalent forms in cats. They each have distinctive qualities, exhibit similar bodily emotions and indications in cats, and require particular medication for the allergy.
If your cat is showcasing severe symptoms of an allergy, please consult your vet immediately.
4. Ear mites
These tiny parasites can be so annoying that cats shake their heads and paw at their ears. The hairs around the ears can occasionally be pulled out by all the pawing, which can cause bleeding. Small, black lumps in the ear canal and dirt around the ear may also be visible.
Your cat's ears will itch if they have an ear mite infection. This frequently leads to the following:
They excessively shake their head or rub their ears, resulting in red, irritated ears from too much wax and discomfort and black, dry ear discharge that occasionally emits an unpleasant odor.
Allergies can also irritate a cat's ear, which might result in an infection that resembles ear mites.
Therefore, you must take your pet to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Ways to prevent and treat ear mites in cats
While you cannot prevent ear mites in cats since they are tiny parasites that feed on the skin and live on skin oils and wax, ear mites are usually simple to cure with specific medications and ear cleaning from your veterinarian. To confirm this, your veterinarian may need to take a sample and examine it under a microscope, or they may be able to spot the mites during an ear inspection. After that, they will treat your cat appropriately.
These drops often need to be administered for a week or more to eliminate the mites. Since ear mites can spread to other pets in the house, check them out.
Spot on treatments
This procedure is much less upsetting for you and your pet than ear drops.
Ear mites can be prevented and treated with many spot-on flea remedies. Should your veterinarian advise, this is the simplest method for guarding your pet against parasites.
Always heed your veterinarian's recommendations regarding how frequently and long to treat your cat.
Ear drops
Although topical treatments are the most often utilized, your veterinarian may suggest ear drops to relieve any discomfort and inflammation brought on by the mites.
You must use these therapies precisely as directed and for the suggested duration if you choose to do so.
Conclusion
Skin issues can be annoying for a cat; hence, regular checkups and prevention are suggested by veterinarians. If you observe severe conditions, visit experienced veterinarians or book at-home appointments on DiscoverVet.
