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Contact dermatitis:
This is the least
common of the four types of allergy in cats. Contact dermatitis is a
result of the cat coming into contact with a substance. The cat's fur
acts as a barrier, protecting it from allergy producing compounds. There
are two causes of contact dermatitis; allergic & irritant.
Symptoms include;
-
Non seasonal itching,
especially in areas where there isn't much fur. Typical areas include
the chin, ears, toes, underbelly & anus.
-
Lesions of any type: redness, rash,
papules (pimple-like), vesicles, and blisters
-
Skin redness or
inflammation
-
Thickening of the
skin
Treatment includes;
Identification &
elimination of the substance causing contact dermatitis is the best
solution.
Corticosteroids may be
prescribed to control the itch.
Antibiotics may be
necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections.
Feline Acne:
Feline acne is a common problem seen in cats. It is found on the cat's
chin & lips. Often symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed. Acne can
affect cats of any age, sex or breed.
Sebaceous glands secrete oils (known as sebum) which lubricates the
skin, preventing dryness & irritation. The sebaceous glands are mostly
found in dorsal, eyelids, chin, surface of the base of the tail, lips,
scrotum and prepuce. They are connected to the hair follicles.
More on feline acne
Flea Allergy Dermatitis:
Flea allergy dermatitis
(flea bite hypersensitivity) is the most common skin allergy in cats. As
the name suggests, it is caused by an allergic reaction to a flea bite.
Symptoms of FAD include
frequent scratching & biting of the fur, especially on the back & the
base of the tail, raised bumps (papules) or scabs on the skin, thinning
fur in the affected area.
Treatment of FAD
includes;
-
Eliminating
fleas
from your cat & environment, and
preventing re-infestation of fleas.
-
Treating secondary
skin infections caused by excessive biting & scratching of the skin.
This may involve a course of antibiotics, medicated shampoo & or a
topical medication.
-
Antihistamines or
steroids may be prescribed by your veterinarian to control
inflammation & reduce itching.
-
Hyposensitisation (desensitisation).
This involves injecting minute amounts of flea antigen into the cat in
the hope that it will re-programme the immune system so it's not
hypersensitive to flea antigen.
More on flea
allergy dermatis
Food
allergy:
This is caused by an
allergic reaction to one or more ingredients in the cat's food. The most
common causes of food allergies are fish, beef, eggs, wheat & milk.
Cats can become allergic to foods they have eaten for a long period of
time.
Symptoms include; non
seasonal itching, especially on the front half of the body & head, hair
loss (due to excessive scratching), vomiting & or diarrhea, the ears may
be swollen & or infected.
Treatment involves
avoiding the food which caused the allergies is the best method of
treatment. This may either be a home made diet or a commercial one.
More on
food allergy
Miliary dermatitis:
Miliary dermatitis
Miliary dermatitis(also known as miliary eczema,
papulocrusting dermatitis
or scabby cat disease) isn't a specific disease but a disease complex.
It is characterized by a red & crusty rash around the head, neck & back,
often with intense itching. There are a number of causes including flea
allergy dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity, allergies, bacterial
infections, mites, ringworm, immune mediated disease, poor diet,
hormonal disorder.
Symptoms include; red, crusty bumps, especially around the head, neck &
back, itching, hair loss, scratching.
Treatment of feline
miliary dermatitis depends on the cause of the problem.
- If it is
fleas,
then removal of the fleas from
the cat & environment should cure the problem. Strict flea control
will need to be performed routinely to ensure the miliary dermatitis
doesn't recur.
- The same goes
for mites, mange or fungal or yeast infections. Treat the cause &
the miliary dermatitis should go away.
- If intestinal
parasites are found to be the cause, treatment with the appropriate
medication to eliminate them.
- A
hypoallergenic diet may be tried if parasites, yeast infections,
fungal infections etc., are ruled out.
- Antibiotics for
secondary skin infections, if required.
- Shampoos may be
recommended to relieve itching & inflammation.
- Other possible
treatment options include fatty acids, antihistamines &
corticosteroids.
More on
miliary dermatitis
Overgrooming (psychogenic
alopecia):
Over-grooming is a stress-related disorder, and can be classified as
obsessive compulsive behavior. This behavior may take the form of
excessive licking at the fur or pulling out tufts of fur. The most
commonly affected areas are the inside of the thighs, and nearby abdomen
and groin.
Overgrooming is treated by;
Finding the cause of the stress & eliminating where possible. This may
not always be possible, as has been stated above, the behavior may have
started in reaction to a stress, however it has become compulsive
behavior now, even though the reason for the original stress may have
been resolved.
Keep
your cat's day as routine as possible. Make sure you feed, play,
exercise your cat at the same time daily. Cats like routine.
Provide your cat a rich & stimulating environment. If you are out for
long periods of time you could consider a cat video or a fish tank for
your cat's viewing pleasure. When you are home, set aside a play date
with your cat every day.
Drug
therapy: If it isn't possible to bring the cat's behavior under control
by changing the stress & environment then it may be necessary to try
medications such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. The
goal is usually to give this medication until the behavior decreases,
and then gradually taper off the medication.
More on
overgrooming
Ringworm:
Ringworm is the most
common fungal skin infection seen in cats. Contrary to the name,
ringworm is caused by a microscopic group of parasitic fungal organisms
known as dermatophytes (which means "plants that live on the skin").
The most recognised
sign your cat is infected with ringworm is circular patches of hair
loss, especially around the head & limbs (although it can occur on other
parts of the body also). Other signs are grey, patchy areas of baldness,
with or without redness & itching, seborrhea sicca (a type of dandruff),
dry/flaky skin, onychomycosis (infection of the claw & clawbed).
Once your cat has been
diagnosed with ringworm you will have to treat both the cat & the
environment. If you live in a multiple cat household, all cats in your
home will need to be treated.
Some treatment options
include; shampoos & dips (usually lime sulfur) &
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin®).
This is the most commonly used anti-fungal drug & the only anti-fungal
drug licensed for use in the cat. Griseofulvin inhibits fungal cell wall
division by altering the structure and function of the microtubules.
This allows the cat's immune system to gain control & fight off the
infection. There is also a ringworm vaccine available in some countries,
made by Fort Dodge.
More on ringworm
Ear mites:
See common
cat parasites
Related
articles:
Common Diseases in Cats:
Common
Parasites in Cats
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