Skin diseases in cats. What are and how to treat skin diseases in cats

Painful accumulation of pus at the site of a bite or puncture wound. Abscesses in the form of a tumor that becomes soft over time can lead to rupture and purulent discharge. Although most abscesses are found on a cat's front paws or abdomen, they can sometimes appear near the tail if the cat is bitten while trying to escape. The best way to prevent abscesses is to keep your cat indoors.

: if your cat tilts and shakes its head, scratching its ears, and an excessive amount of brown or waxy matter in its ear canals, then it is possible that it is infected with a tick. This condition causes severe itching and irritation, and if left untreated, it can lead to a bacterial infection. Ticks are treated with ear drops containing venom for ticks and chemical cleaning of the ears with a cotton swab.

Symptoms of this disease include red, itchy areas on the body and inflammation of the skin at the site of contact with chemical or other irritants. It can also be caused by rubber or plastic food utensils. The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to keep cats away from chemical storage areas and feed them stainless steel or glassware.

Pimples, acne: In this condition, comedones (also known as blackheads) form on the underside of the chin and the edges of the lips. The reason may be related to plastic or rubber utensils used for food or drink. In severe cases, anti-seborrheic shampoos, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide (at a concentration of 3% or less), or benzoyl peroxide gels, will help. Consulting your veterinarian is the first step.

Dermatitis, Flea Allergy: This infestation is characterized by itchy, pimple-like acne that forms at the base of the tail, back of the hind legs, and inner thighs. Although most cats have no reaction to the presence of fleas, sensitive cats only need a single flea bite to cause an allergy and develop within hours or days. The best way to prevent dermatitis and allergies is good flea control.

Food allergies, dermatitis: Some cats are very sensitive to certain ingredients in their canned food. This sensitivity can lead to severe itching of the head, neck and back, and swelling of the eyelids. It is often complicated by hair loss and the presence of ulcers from constant scratching and biting. Treatment for this disease usually involves a selective diet to determine by elimination which components are causing the ailment. Some veterinarians may prescribe an injection of steroids to relieve swelling and itching, and to allow the animal to heal more quickly.

Psychogenic alopecia: This is a thinning of the coat in the form of a strip on the back or abdomen, caused by compulsive self-grooming. The compulsive behavior of frequent self-licking is a cause of stress, so treatment includes minimizing the affected cat's stress level by using cat pheromone diffusers, creating a calm environment, and redirecting the cat's nervous energy through play. In severe cases, veterinarians may recommend a short course of sedative medication.

Ringworm: It is a fungal infection that is highly contagious to other animals and to humans. Ringworm symptoms include round patches that cause hair loss with a red ring at the periphery. In some cats, this shows up as messy hair around the face and ears. Ringworm requires veterinary treatment with antifungal medications and extensive cleaning and sterilization of the entire home.

Fat tail: The cause of this disease is in the glands near the tail, which secrete excessive amounts of oils. The result is greasy, rancid-smelling waxy brown material at the top of the tail at the base. This condition is most often found in non-neutered cats, but neutered cats can also get it. Treatment includes spaying if needed, and washing twice a day with an anti-seborrheic shampoo to remove excess oil.

Tan: Light-furred and hairless cats such as the Sphynx are very prone to sunburn and should be kept out of direct sunlight between 10 am and 2 pm to reduce the risk of sunburn and minimize the risk of developing skin cancers such as melanoma.

If you suspect your cat has a skin problem, look at the affected area, pay attention to the symptoms you see, and contact your veterinarian. Any of these symptoms, as well as unexplained nodules, bumps, or open sores in a cat, should be checked by your veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Skin diseases in cats are one of the most common reasons for visiting a veterinarian. If fleas can be easily detected and expelled on your own, then fungus, allergies and mites are unlikely.

Veterinarians are aware of a huge number of skin pathologies. They can be independent or be the result of such serious diseases as leukemia, feline immunodeficiency, calicivirus infection. The most common problems pet owners face are::

flea dermatitis;
allergy;
eczema;
folliculitis;
sarcoptic mange;
demodicosis;
ringworm.

Conventionally, diseases can be divided into "dangerous" and "non-dangerous". They arise for various reasons, look differently and the course of the disease also varies significantly.

Flea dermatitis

The oral apparatus of the flea is adapted to puncture the skin and suck out blood..

Symptoms of the disease are known to every cat owner: unbearable itching and constant itching.

IMPORTANT! When going on the warpath with fleas, remember: only 10% of insects live on the body of cats, the rest are distributed in the habitat of animals: on the bedding, on the floor, and even in your bed.

For the treatment of an animal affected by fleas, shampoos, drops, sprays, ointments are used.. The floors in the premises must be washed with a special solution. Means in ampoules have proven themselves well: neostomazan and butox. In their absence, you can wash the floors by diluting anti-flea shampoo in water.

Allergy

indicates the presence of an irritant in the cat's life: food, chemical, natural.

food allergy- a common phenomenon, especially in cats without hair, for example, in sphinxes. A skin reaction to shampoo is common in kittens. In these cases, it is enough to exclude the allergen and life will improve.

Allergy to stressful situations in the form of a rash occurs in excitable animals. Such pets must be protected from nervous shocks, the house should have a smooth, calm environment.

Mode is important for mentally unbalanced cats: feeding, playing, going to bed should be at about the same time.

Various malfunctions in the body can lead to the development of skin diseases. A common problem is tail gland hyperplasia.. Her excessive work leads to the formation of excessive sebaceous secretion. In cats, the problem is solved by castration.

Eczema

Eczema often follows allergies. If the irritant from the life of the animal is not excluded, then after the rash, weeping spots appear on the skin.

The development of eczema is provoked by dirt, frequent bathing, malnutrition, chronic diseases, hormonal disruptions.

With eczema, the animal has itching and scratching of certain parts of the body, loss of appetite and, accordingly, weight. The disease develops according to the following scheme:

Slight local redness.
The appearance of small nodes (papules).
The transformation of papules into blisters (vesicles).
The formation of pustules (abscesses).
Wetting of the affected surface.
Covering the skin with scabs and scales.

Often eczema is localized behind the ears of the animal, on the neck, back, around the tail. The outer surfaces of the thighs and shoulder blades are affected. Acute eczema mainly occurs in young cats aged 1-2 years, older pets suffer from chronic eczema.

Treatment of eczema is to eliminate the causative agent of the allergic reaction and therapeutic appointments. It is necessary to normalize the nutrition of the patient, limiting the consumption of meat. Veterinarians often prescribe ointments and steroid hormones to combat eczema..

Folliculitis

If a cat scratches frequently, the chances of her developing follicle inflammation are very high.

The first symptom of folliculitis is redness and pustules.. Sometimes pustules burst after maturation, pus comes out, the wound dries up and you can forget about the problem.

But it also happens that a significant area of \u200b\u200bthe cat's body is affected. The disease is especially difficult in woolly pets: the pustules burst, the flowing pus sticks together the wool, this process becomes endless.

What to do? With wool, the pet, in the places affected by folliculitis, will have to part. After that, you need to do some simple manipulations:

Treat fresh pustules with alcohol or iodine solution.
Ripe abscesses open with a sterile needle.
Remove pus with a cotton swab.
Disinfect wounds.

If this problem happens regularly, it is worth buying an ultraviolet lamp and sunbathing your pet.

Sarcoptic mange

The Internet is replete with scary photos of cats affected by sarcoptic mange. The disease mainly affects weakened animals., thereby further undermining their immunity.

Complex treatment of sarcoptic mange. Includes intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, treatment with sprays and drops, prescription of drugs to support the immune system.

demodicosis

When infected with Demodex, cats develop peeling around the eyes and gradual baldness.. With the development of tick colonies, the animal loses hair all over the body, the skin cracks, looks inflamed. The ichor protrudes on the surface of the cracks. The cat has a bad smell.

For diagnosis, the veterinarian must take a scraping (at least 4-5 samples). After studying the obtained materials under a microscope, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

Treatment of demodicosis can last about a year. Periods of remission are replaced by a new wave of inflammation, so it is extremely important to follow all the instructions of the attending physician. In the fight against demodicosis use disinfectant solutions, drugs aimed at the destruction of ticks, gels, liniments, ointments.

Ringworm

Microscopic mold fungi, microsporia and trichophytes, prefer to multiply in the upper layer of the cat's epidermis.

The first sign of lichen is a rash, which, of course, cannot be seen on the body of a long-haired pet. Owners start sounding the alarm when a pet develops patchy alopecia. After checking the pictures on the Internet, you need to contact the veterinary clinic to confirm or refute your concerns.

INTERESTING! Diagnosis of lichen is not difficult. To do this, veterinarians use a Wood's lamp. Under the lamp, the affected areas shimmer with emerald light.

usually takes 1 to 1.5 months. The disease captured at the very beginning is successfully stopped with the help of creams, sprays and ointments. Miconazole and thiabendazole ointments have proven themselves well. In advanced cases, tablets and / or suspensions are added to topical drugs.

Bald cats

Sphynx owners often turn to the veterinarian with complaints of black spots on their pet's skin.

This breed problem, in most cases, is quite harmless: bald cats quickly “burn out”.

If diagnostic studies do not reveal abnormalities, pay attention to the lifestyle and nutrition of the pet. Have you noticed that the cat loves to sit on the windowsill? It's possible she's on fire.

In this case, glass tinting and a special lotion for sphinxes, which must be applied to the animal's skin, will help.

Modern veterinary medicine can work wonders. The task of the owner is to recognize the problem in time, seek qualified help and strictly follow the doctor's prescriptions.

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Recently, skin diseases have become widespread in cats, from which, according to statistics, every third pet suffers. Often, problems with the skin are the result of some kind of internal pathology that requires immediate treatment. Many skin diseases are dangerous not only for the cat, but also for the owner, so it is extremely important to recognize the disorder in a timely manner and begin treatment.

List of skin diseases in cats

There is a whole range of skin diseases that are versatile and manifest themselves in completely different ways. Skin lesions can be triggered by a variety of reasons - hereditary, anthropogenic, infectious, even a simple change in diet can cause rashes on the body.

Attention. It should not be forgotten that fleas are carriers of helminths and are able to infect an animal through a normal bite. Therefore, along with treatment for flea, the animal should be dewormed in a timely manner.

Ringworm

Ringworm is an infectious fungal pathology that often affects young animals with reduced immunity, as well as cats that have had cancer or viral diseases.

The cause of the disease is the spores of the fungus, which can be brought on clothes or shoes. Infection occurs through contact with a sick animal, through shared toys, feeding and care items.

The clinical signs of ringworm are:

bald areas on the head, tail and limbs;
in the center of the affected area, the skin turns red and flakes, sometimes ulcers, white scales and crusts appear.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with the help of antifungal ointments and antiseptic solutions. In severe cases, antibiotics, vaccines, and oral antifungal medications are prescribed.

acne

Acne is an acne disease characterized by the formation of closed and open comedones, most often on the chin.

The reasons for the development of acne can be improper care of the cat, stress, infectious pathologies, abnormalities in the development of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Visually, the disease is manifested by the presence of black or white dots, partial hair loss, and an increase in hard crusts. Acne can progress to painful ulcers and pustules, which can lead to inflammation and bacterial infection.

Acne treatment consists in treatment with antiseptic and antiseborrheic soaps and shampoos (for example, tar), applying antiseptic solutions (Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, etc.). In advanced cases, antibiotics and corticosteroids are used.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections come in two forms: dry and wet. In the first case, dense formations and crusts appear on the skin. The second form is characterized by the presence of skin areas with severe hyperemia and moisture, which is accompanied by a rash, ulcers, itching and crusts.

To understand the form in which the disease occurs in a pet, it is necessary not only to familiarize yourself with the description of the disease, but also to carefully study the photo.

There can be a huge number of reasons for a bacterial infection:

allergy accompanied by itching;
heredity;
stress;
violation of metabolic processes;
the presence of shallow wounds;
diabetes mellitus, tumors, kidney damage, etc.

Treatment is based on the use of antibiotics and local preparations (Miramistin, Levomekol, aluminum - and zinc-containing ointments).

Bacterial skin diseases include.

Allergic skin diseases

Allergic reactions are the result of an inadequate response of the cat's immune system to foreign substances entering the body. Anything can be the cause of an allergy: a certain food component, household chemicals, plant pollen, synthetic fabrics, dust in the house, etc. When exposed to an allergen, skin hyperemia, the presence of inflamed areas, severe itching, hair loss and fever are observed.

Important. Prolonged exposure to the allergen is fraught with the development of atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma and asthmatic syndrome.

Therapy for allergic reactions includes taking antihistamines to relieve itching, hormonal agents, and antibiotics when urgently needed. To alleviate the condition of the pet, medicated shampoos and decoctions of medicinal herbs are used.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by environmental allergens. The reason for the appearance of this disease is an increased reaction of the body to certain substances (mold, pollen, household chemicals, certain foods, dust, etc.).

Atopic dermatitis has the following clinical picture:

severe itching and, as a result, scratching;
skin rash;
hair loss;
when an infection enters the wound, pustules form;
the affected areas are in the head, ears, neck or chest, in the lower abdomen and between the thighs.

To prevent the development of infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antimicrobials are prescribed, and to eliminate signs of allergy, standard antihistamines (Chlorpheniramine, Clemastine) are prescribed.

Eczema

The disease is manifested by such symptoms as:

severe itching and scratching;
the appearance of pustules, vesicles, nodules and crusts on the skin;
redness of the skin;
weight loss;
fever;
kidney disease;
weeping surface of the skin.

Treatment of eczema consists of taking antihistamines and sedatives supplemented with a vitamin complex.

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demodicosis

Symptoms of demodicosis include:

the formation of dense tubercles on the body of the pet, when pressed on which white clots are released;
constant scratching and rashes on the skin;
redness of the affected areas;
partial baldness;
the presence of red crusts;
the formation of pustules with the duration of the disease.

Attention. It is this skin ailment that most often leads to death.

ear mite

The progression of the disease is fraught with inflammation of the outer ear, which is able to move to the middle, which in turn is dangerous imbalance. In such a situation, the animal will constantly keep its head to one side. Sometimes the infection reaches the parotid space, provoking severe inflammation.

Treatment of ear mites includes the systematic cleansing of the ear canals and the use of acaricidal drops.

Learn more about a common disease -.

Psychogenic alopecia

Alopecia is the rapid loss of hair. The cause of psychogenic alopecia in domestic cats is a neurosis that occurs as a result of environmental changes (change of residence, a new owner, the appearance of a new family member or pet in the house, etc.).

Most often, this disease occurs in emotional breeds: Siamese, Himalayan, Burmese, Abyssinian, but it also happens in outbred individuals. Externally, the disease manifests itself as alopecia in the groin, on the abdomen, sides and inner thighs, along the dorsal midline. On the bald areas there is neither redness nor crusts.

In the treatment of psychogenic alopecia, the main thing is to eliminate or minimize stress. Of the medicines, behavior-correcting drugs have proven themselves: Amitriptyline, Kot Bayun or Stop Stress.

Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome (or hyperadrenocorticism) is an extremely rare disease that develops as a result of an excessive amount of the hormone cortisol in the body. An excess of cortisol can occur with the use of large amounts of corticosteroids orally, topically or by injection, with tumors of the adrenal cortex, and also as a result of pituitary gland disease.

With Cushing's syndrome, the following phenomena are observed:

increased thirst and increased urination;
voracity;
enlarged belly;
amyotrophy;
lethargy;
hair loss;
skin thinning.

In the treatment of this serious disease, as a rule, the drug Trilostan is used, which suppresses the production of cortisol. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the adrenal or pituitary gland, as well as radiation therapy for the pituitary tumor.

Sarcoptic mange

The clinical picture of sarcoptic mange is similar to other diseases: the affected areas dry out and cause itching, later the hair falls off in these places, and the scabs form unattractive ulcers.

In the fight against ticks, Sarcoptes have proven themselves, which are applied to the withers of the animal.

Notoedrosis

Symptoms of this disease include:

severe itching;
bubbles are observed on the muzzle, ears, abdomen and inguinal region, which, after combing, become covered with crusts;
hair loss, often in places where crusts are concentrated;
as the disease progresses, the skin thickens, dries and cracks - as a result, wounds open the gates to infections (bacteria, fungi and viruses).

Notoedrosis therapy includes bathing with acaricidal and keratolytic shampoos, as well as topical application of drugs (Demos, aversectin ointment, neocidol aqueous emulsion, sulfuric ointment, Stronghold).

Skin diseases in cats are quite common and are one of the most common reasons for visiting a veterinarian. Fortunately, these health problems can be easily treated in most cases. Their causes may be infections, allergic reactions, or malfunctions of the internal organs.

To remove fleas, you can use drops applied to the skin of the animal in the area of \u200b\u200bthe withers. It is recommended to buy such drugs in veterinary clinics, as pet stores are more likely to meet a fake. You should also wash floors, carpets, wash bedding - in all these places, flea eggs can remain. An effective means of prevention is a special collar, especially for cats that are on the street.

Ringworm

Some pet ailments can be dangerous for their owners. Skin diseases in cats that are transmitted to humans are fungal infections that cause ringworm. Their treatment is desirable to begin at an early stage. The main sign of lichen is areas with fallen hair, which the cat scratches all the time. Another symptom is that the skin is flaky, forming dandruff.

For the treatment of lichen, antifungal drugs are used in the form of ointments, and, if necessary, tablets. If your cat has long, thick hair, it needs to be trimmed. This is done so that the ointment can be applied to the affected areas of the skin. In advanced cases, baths with sulfuric lime are prescribed.

Acne (acne disease)

Inflammation of the sebaceous glands occurs in all breeds. But most often such skin diseases occur in Sphynx cats. Localization of rashes can be different. Sphynx eels occur at the base of the tail, on the back, belly, and also under the lower jaw. Acne looks like black follicles, sometimes there is redness around them. In fluffy cats, this disease usually occurs on the muzzle.

Acne in the initial stages is treated with washings. The affected area should be wetted with warm water, lathered with a bactericidal soap, then washed off and dried with a towel. In more serious cases, special gels based on chlorhexidine are used, which can be purchased at veterinary clinics.

Bacterial infections

Acne, like wounds and cuts, can lead to bacterial skin disease in cats. Symptoms may vary depending on how the inflammatory process proceeds. With a dry variety of the disease, dense nodules and scaly crusts appear on the skin. The wet course of the disease is characterized by wetting of infected areas, redness and the formation of pustules.

Dry foci are treated with Miramistin and Levomikol antibacterial agents. Wet areas are treated with drying sprays. If the inflammation persists, a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

Allergic skin diseases in cats: photo and treatment

Allergies in pets are not uncommon. The most common variant in cats is hypersensitivity to flea bites. Outwardly, such an allergy can manifest itself in the form of baldness of certain areas of the skin, itching, the appearance of spots, the color of which can vary from pink to dark gray.

Treatment in this case is to rid the pet of fleas. In this case, an allergic reaction will manifest itself for some time even after the disappearance of insects. Finally, the symptoms will disappear after 5-6 weeks.

In addition to fleas, food or external irritants can cause allergies in animals. Such cases are more difficult to treat. After all, identifying an allergen is not so simple.

Atopic dermatitis

Allergic skin diseases in cats caused by external factors are manifested in redness of skin areas with little hair. For example, on the stomach or on the paw pads. Then there are crusts and pustules. Such a reaction can be caused by contact with pollen, detergents, drugs, etc.

To determine which allergen caused dermatitis, it is necessary to conduct clinical tests. When the source of skin irritation is found, the animal should be protected from it. If the allergen could not be determined, antihistamines are prescribed.

Food intolerance

Food allergies can also manifest as skin problems. Symptoms are the same as in atopic dermatitis. Food allergies are rare in cats. Therefore, even an experienced veterinarian cannot always quickly determine the cause of an animal's malaise.

If the food allergy is well established, you will have to change the pet's diet. Another type of food or homemade food that includes meat and vitamin-containing foods will help eliminate allergic skin diseases in cats. Treatment in the initial stages may also include antipruritic agents if the animal itches a lot.

ear mite

There are several types of mites that cause skin diseases in cats on the ears. You can get them on the street or through contact with other animals. A cat bothered by ticks shakes its head and scratches its ear. Other symptoms also appear. They include redness, hair loss, and a dark-smelling, pungent discharge in the ear. Similar manifestations can be in bacterial infections. Therefore, to establish an accurate diagnosis, the animal should be shown to the veterinarian.

For the treatment of ear mites, special preparations are used in the form of drops and ointments. It is also recommended to remove dark secretions with cotton wool or a soft cotton cloth.

Psychogenic alopecia

Treatment is to eliminate the factors that cause stress in the cat. A mechanical barrier may also be required to prevent the animal from licking itself.

Cushing's syndrome

Skin diseases in cats caused by hormonal disorders are relatively rare. One such disease is Cushing's syndrome. Its cause is excessive production of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands. The disease can also occur due to the intake of certain medications.

An excess of cortisol negatively affects the entire body. But on the skin, the manifestations of the disease are especially noticeable. Wool becomes more rare, then bald spots appear. The skin becomes thin and vulnerable to mechanical damage. The wounds do not heal for a long time. The tips of the ears become flabby and bent.

Treatment may include various measures, depending on the causes and course of the disease. If Cushing's syndrome is caused by taking cortisol-containing drugs, they are replaced by other drugs. If the cause is adrenal hyperactivity, drug therapy is prescribed. Sometimes they resort to surgical intervention. It is effective when only one adrenal gland is not functioning properly. In such a situation, its surgical removal can solve the problem.

The following are the most common skin conditions in cats. Photos and descriptions of symptoms in most cases allow you to make the correct diagnosis for your pet with high accuracy. However, methods of treatment are still worth discussing with a specialist veterinarian.

Skin diseases in cats have recently become frequently diagnosed, large-scale. An increasing number of owners notice problems with the skin, consult a doctor. Skin diseases have a different nature, look different. Selected visual photos, a description of the symptoms, the basics of treatment described in our article will help you not to miss the first important signs of diseases.

There is a whole gamut of possible factors that cause cats to develop skin diseases. Hereditary, anthropogenic, infectious and many others. They lead to skin problems, which are sometimes so unexpressed that many of our pets suffer from the disease for a long time.

"Simple" skin diseases in cats

acne

This is what pet acne is called. Occurs more often on the chin. Looks like a cluster of black dots. Often, in advanced cases, a bacterial infection develops. The course of the disease progresses, purulent inflammation appears. The causes of the development of the disease are varied - from malnutrition to a symptom of an infection.

Folliculitis

Inflammation of the hair follicle. It develops as a complication of acne or other infectious skin diseases. It looks like a swelling around the hair, often filled with fluid, palpation causes pain in the cat.

Fungal otitis media

Inflammation of the external auditory canal. The first signs of the disease are manifested by shaking the head, the cat scratches the ear. Develops against the background of weakened immunity.

Ear mites

With improper care of the ears of a pet, mites begin to multiply in them at a frantic pace. The disease manifests itself with scratching, an unpleasant odor from the ears, dark gray discharge. The skin of the ears turns red, the local temperature rises.

Alopecia

Occur in response to any stimulus - food, natural, chemical. Food allergies are the most common - a cat combs its neck and head. Some breeds are predisposed to negative reactions to the flowering of certain plants. Many, especially young, animals react sharply to bathing, haircuts. Eliminating the allergen is often enough to treat an allergy.

Internal causes

Problems with various systems of the cat's vital activity also lead to the manifestation of skin diseases.

Tail gland hyperplasia

Increased secretion of this gland leads to excessive accumulation of sebaceous secretion. Standing out, it envelops the hairs at the point of growth, blocking their further development. As a result, the hair falls out, bare areas are formed. Treatment comes down to constant monitoring of the problem area, castration helps cats.

Tumors

Some older cats eventually develop thickening under the skin - single tumors. They can be easily removed surgically. Cats with white ears often suffer from a more dangerous variety - skin cancer. It is manifested by a change in the appearance of a certain area of the skin, often visible darkening, skin roughness.

Mental disorders

After a lot of stress - moving, the appearance of a child in the house, another animal - some cats fall into a state of constant grooming. Licking themselves again and again, they injure the skin, ulcers appear, and the hair falls out.

Dangerous skin diseases in cats

Ringworm

Symptoms: hair loss in certain areas of the skin, peeling, the appearance of strange scales, sometimes purulent wounds. The cat may itch, but lichen usually does not itch.

demodicosis

A serious disease caused by microscopic mites. Very contagious, rapidly developing. The main symptom is severe, persistent itching, the skin is covered with red spots. It starts with the head, ears. Without treatment, it quickly captures the rest of the body, appearing sequentially in the armpits, on the folds, at the base of the tail.

Factors predisposing to the appearance of demodicosis are improper feeding, maintenance, lack of a number of B vitamins, vitamin A, E, and worms.

Eczema

The main symptom of eczema is a weeping surface of the skin. The cat combs the affected area, redness, nodules appear on the skin. The general condition changes: fever develops, the cat loses weight, kidney problems begin.

The veterinarian, based on skin scraping tests, will rule out other skin diseases and prescribe antihistamines. It is not recommended to treat the cat on its own, as any improper treatment can cause additional complications.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is dangerous with an unpredictable manifestation. Untreated in time, they can greatly undermine the animal's immune system.

bedsores

Necrotic destruction of the cat's skin due to prolonged lying in one place. Manifested by tissue necrosis, death of skin cells. It is observed in sick animals that are forced to stay in one position for a long time. Symptoms: soreness when touched, lowering the temperature of the dying area, discoloration, the appearance of ulcers. Prevention of the development of bedsores is simple - turn your pet over more often in the postoperative period, do not let him sit on the injured limb for a long time. Treatment is reduced to the treatment of wounds, dressings, removal of dead tissue.

associated with viral infections

Some feline diseases lead to the development of skin problems. For example, when leukemia covers are affected especially strongly - abscesses, neoplasms, wounds appear. Immunodeficiency cats causes chronic otitis with damage to the skin of the ears, numerous pustules (vesicles with pus) appear on the body. causes damage to the skin of the paw pads, around the nose.

It is important to seek the help of a veterinarian in a timely manner to determine the cause of the appearance of a skin disease. The specialist will determine the main cause of the sore, prescribe adequate therapy.

The cat occasionally scratches, but it looks quite safe. However, once again stroking his pet, the owner notices the bodies that have appeared in different places. sores in a cat. What are the reasons for which, it would seem, asymptomatically, cat gets sick?

Among the vast picture of feline skin diseases, a number of particularly common ailments can be distinguished, as a result of which the cat is in pain.

Causes of sores in domestic cats

The factors by which cats develop various dermatitis can be conditionally divided into genetic (hereditary), infectious, anthropogenic (exposure to external causes), and invasive. Before rushing to treat an animal, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. How to treat sores in a cat the veterinarian will tell you after a certain series of tests and finding out the main cause of the disease.

Sores in a cat on the head and neck

The resulting cat has sore on chin, more often - a scattering of small black dots (acne) mixed with sores and sores, is called acne. It develops as a result of malnutrition, skin irritation from contact with inappropriate dishes (reaction to plastic), skin infections.

Sores with a smell in a cat

Sores with a smell in a cat localized in the ears and are a consequence of a neglected ear mite infection. When there is no proper care for the ears, there is a high risk of otitis media of various etiologies, the cat combs itchy ears to non-healing foul-smelling wounds.

Appeared cat has sore eyes may indicate the presence of a viral infection, trauma to the cornea of the eye, a foreign body, or allergies. The irritating factor causes itching in the cat, the animal combs the skin until sores appear.

Cat head pain

Cat head pain may appear as a result of damage in fights or games with another animal. Discovered cat has a sore on his nose it can also be the result of trauma, an allergic reaction, polyposis, a viral infection. If with proper sanitation sore cat does not go away within three days, you need to show the animal to a specialist.

Discovered the cat has sores on the side of the tail with a high degree of probability, arise due to hyperplasia of the sebaceous tail glands. Increased secretion clogs the pores of the skin, causing irritation. Sores on the cat's tail are the reaction of the animal to itching, scratching and hair loss with the formation of crusts on the combed places.

Sores in a cat, cat, kitten. How to treat

Discovered cat fur sores should serve as a signal to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the causes of the occurrence. If desired, a specialist can be called to the house for the initial diagnosis of the disease and the collection of the necessary tests from the animal. Extra worries will not add health to a sick pet, and at home, both the cat and the owner are less stressed.

Skin diseases in cats are at the forefront of modern veterinary medicine. This is due to malnutrition - poorly selected feed, illiterate breeding work, and poor environmental conditions play an important role. Due to the above factors, local or widespread rashes, ulcers, etc. can be observed on the skin. Below are all lesions of the skin of cats, combined into groups according to clinical symptom-complexes.

Miliary dermatitis

Miliary dermatitis is characterized by the formation of dry or weeping cavitary elements on the skin. They are located on the surface in the form of small elevations, form crusts or peel off, fester or are presented in the form of small nodules. Miliary dermatitis covers most of all skin diseases and can be caused by the following reasons.

Allergy to food, hygiene products or medications.

Damage to the skin by a fungal or bacterial infection.

Atopic dermatitis.

On examination, blood-sucking mites, fleas and cheilites will be noticeable. Heilites are also called "crawling dandruff", as they look like small, gray, constantly moving scales.

With negative results of the above diagnostic measures, it is recommended to examine the feces for worm eggs. Helminths can cause allergic miliary dermatitis.

Fungal infection of the skin

It is characterized by the presence of alopecia (baldness). On hairless areas, hard-to-remove white or pale gray scales are formed, under which hyperemic thinned skin is found. The presence of itching and its intensity depend on the type of pathogen and the degree of damage.

Treatment of a fungal infection is also advisable to carry out on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Depending on the strain of the fungus and the degree of damage, only mild local treatment or long-term complex treatment, with additional vaccination, may be needed. It is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs or hygiene products with an antimycotic effect on your own. Many of them are toxic, and certain breeds of cats are especially susceptible to them.

Skin damage by a bacterial infection

Suppuration of already existing wound surfaces, scratches, folds occurs. Bubbles, crusts, pustules or scales form at the site of the lesion. As a rule, the process affects only the superficial layers of the skin, deeper lesions should suggest more serious conditions (decreased immunity, taking glucocorticoids, neoplasms, viral infection). It is best to prescribe antibiotic therapy after bacterial culture of the scraping of the affected skin area and determination of sensitivity to antibiotics.

Allergic dermatitis

Caused by food, certain plants, medicines, or the sun. Manifested by itching and rashes in the muzzle, on the tips of the ears, along the lower edge of the eyelid or in the area of the nose and lips. Hairless areas appear on the sides and abdomen.

As a rule, the disease occurs annually, at the same time, gradually progressing. Without treatment for several years leads to squamous cell skin cancer.

Atopic dermatitis

Similar to allergic, but more severe and more acute. Appears as a pathological reaction to common products and products that are, in principle, not allergens.

Alopecia (baldness)

Alopecia can be both an independent disease and a symptom of other common diseases among cats. There is congenital and acquired. Congenital alopecia and hereditary hypotrichosis are manifested by an abnormally low number of hair follicles. This occurs only in certain breeds - sphinxes, devon rexes, etc.

Acquired alopecia includes seasonal molting, complications of miliary dermatitis, traumatic and psychogenic alopecia. With psychogenic alopecia, a cat, due to a violation of the behavioral response, plucks or licks its hair intensively. Traumatic alopecia occurs at the site of injections, collars, or other injuries.

Endocrine alopecia is also distinguished - it is symmetrical on both sides of the body, and can be caused by disorders in any of the endocrine organs.

Pigmentation disorders

Albinism- congenital defect. It is not subject to treatment, and the animal is not allowed for breeding.

Periocular leukotrichia. It develops as a result of a stressful situation in some breeds. Appears as lightening of the fur around the eyes. Treatment does not require, passes on its own.

Lentigo. These are dark spots that appear on the gums, nose, lips, or eyelids. There is no cure. The disease is not dangerous and is only a cosmetic problem.

Tumors

Skin tumors can be either benign or malignant. Visually, this is difficult to determine even by a veterinarian, so any tumor in your cat requires additional examinations. The sooner this is done, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Diseases of the subcutaneous fat and sebaceous glands

Panniculitis - inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. It is characterized by the appearance of bubbles with liquid in the lower part of the chest or symmetrically on the sides. After some time, the bubbles open up and form ulcers with oily contents. Ulcers do not heal for a long time, deep scars remain in their place.

acne- comedones. Occur as a result of disruption of the sebaceous glands. Rashes appear on the cat's face. Acne can become inflamed due to an attached bacterial infection.

Seborrhea. It is dry and oily. Dry seborrhea is dry white scales that appear on dry, thin skin. It is most often the result of stress and can occur within a few hours. Oily seborrhea is the same scales only on oily skin and wool. It is the result of a violation of the activity of internal organs, most often the liver and pancreas.

Inflammation of the perianal glands. Occurs rarely. It can be suspected if the cat constantly licks and scratches the anus, and defecation gives her pain and discomfort.

Hyperplasia of the tail glands. The wax secretion of the sebaceous glands accumulates in the upper part of the tail, where there are especially many of them. The base of the tail thickens, an oily secretion of a gray-yellow color is released. The coat becomes thin and dull.

Any skin disease in a cat requires adequate diagnosis and treatment. After all, they can signal more serious violations. Abrasions and scratches do not need to be treated, cats themselves lick such damage. damage

List of skin diseases in cats

Attention. It should not be forgotten that fleas are carriers of helminths and are able to infect an animal through a normal bite. Therefore, along with treatment for flea, the animal should be dewormed in a timely manner.

Ringworm

Ringworm is an infectious fungal pathology that often affects young animals with reduced immunity, as well as cats that have had cancer or viral diseases.

The cause of the disease is the spores of the fungus, which can be brought on clothes or shoes. Infection occurs through contact with a sick animal, through shared toys, feeding and care items.

The clinical signs of ringworm are:

bald areas on the head, tail and limbs;
in the center of the affected area, the skin turns red and flakes, sometimes ulcers, white scales and crusts appear.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with the help of antifungal ointments and antiseptic solutions. In severe cases, antibiotics, vaccines, and oral antifungal medications are prescribed.

acne

Acne is an acne disease characterized by the formation of closed and open comedones, most often on the chin.

Bacterial infections

To understand the form in which the disease occurs in a pet, it is necessary not only to familiarize yourself with the description of the disease, but also to carefully study the photo.

There can be a huge number of reasons for a bacterial infection:

allergy accompanied by itching;
heredity;
stress;
violation of metabolic processes;
the presence of shallow wounds;
diabetes mellitus, tumors, kidney damage, etc.

Treatment is based on the use of antibiotics and local preparations (Miramistin, Levomekol, aluminum and zinc-containing ointments).

They are classified as bacterial skin diseases.

Allergic skin diseases

Important. Prolonged exposure to the allergen is fraught with the development of atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma and asthmatic syndrome.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis has the following clinical picture:

severe itching and, as a result, scratching;
skin rash;
hair loss;
when an infection enters the wound, pustules form;
the affected areas are in the head, ears, neck or chest, in the lower abdomen and between the thighs.

Eczema

The disease is manifested by such symptoms as:

severe itching and scratching;
the appearance of pustules, vesicles, nodules and crusts on the skin;
redness of the skin;
weight loss;
fever;
kidney disease;
weeping surface of the skin.

Treatment of eczema consists of taking antihistamines and sedatives supplemented with a vitamin complex.

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demodicosis

Symptoms of demodicosis include:

the formation of dense tubercles on the body of the pet, when pressed on which white clots are released;
constant scratching and rashes on the skin;
redness of the affected areas;
partial baldness;
the presence of red crusts;
the formation of pustules with the duration of the disease.

Attention. It is this skin ailment that most often leads to death.

ear mite

Treatment of ear mites includes the systematic cleansing of the ear canals and the use of acaricidal drops.

Learn more about a common disease -.

Psychogenic alopecia

Cushing's syndrome

With Cushing's syndrome, the following phenomena are observed:

increased thirst and increased urination;
voracity;
enlarged belly;
amyotrophy;
lethargy;
hair loss;
skin thinning.

Sarcoptic mange

The clinical picture of sarcoptic mange is similar to other diseases: the affected areas dry out and cause itching, later the hair falls off in these places, and the scabs form unattractive ulcers.

In the fight against ticks, Sarcoptes have proven themselves well, which are applied to the withers of the animal.

Notoedrosis

Symptoms of this disease include:

severe itching;
bubbles are observed on the muzzle, ears, abdomen and inguinal region, which, after combing, become covered with crusts;
hair loss, often in places where crusts are concentrated;
as the disease progresses, the skin thickens, dries and cracks - as a result, wounds open the gates to infections (bacteria, fungi and viruses).

Various dermatological diseases are not uncommon in all domesticated felines. Most often, scabs in a cat appear against the background of a significant decrease in immunity and chronic diseases.

The development of flea dermatitis is accompanied by severe itching, so the cat can comb the damaged areas, exacerbating the situation. As part of the treatment, fleas should be eliminated first. For this purpose, you can use special drops that must be applied to the withers of the animal. To relieve an allergic reaction, Execan is administered ½ cube 1 time per day. In addition, you can use ointments and creams, which include antihistamines.

Another common disease that provokes the appearance of characteristic crusts on the skin of a cat is folliculitis. In this disease, inflammation develops against the background of skin lesions with staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus aureus. Treatment should be antibiotics and immunostimulants.

Among other things, often the appearance of defects on the skin is associated with the development of such a dermatological disease as eczema. In this case, the skin undergoes an inflammatory process. The causes of this disease can be rooted in the stress experienced by the animal, infectious diseases, and in addition, diseases of the internal organs. In the vast majority of cases, exacerbations occur in the autumn and spring periods. Eczema in cats can be either wet or dry.

In addition to the characteristic redness and peeling of certain areas of the skin, additional symptoms may appear, for example, severe itching, scratching wounds and foci of hair loss. Therapy of this disease in animals is a significant challenge. First of all, it is necessary to use special therapeutic shampoos that reduce the risk of relapse. Among other things, it is necessary, if possible, to protect the cat from stress, feed only high-quality food and give it vitamin complexes.

Rarely, domestic felines can develop skin cancer. Most often, this problem is observed in cats that do not have a coat, as the delicate skin is constantly exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation. With the development of skin cancer, the cells of the upper layer of the epidermis begin malignant degeneration. Considering that the symptoms of this dangerous disease resemble furunculosis and dermatitis for a long time, some pet owners cannot determine the cause of the problem in a timely manner.

In this case, only a veterinarian can make a correct diagnosis, and only after a histological examination of the tissues of the damaged skin area. If the skin area affected by a malignant tumor is small, it is removed. If the cat has scabs on the body caused by skin cancer, treatment can give a good effect only in the early stages of the development of the pathology.