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What is
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.
The name miliary
dermatitis is derived from the lesions which have a millet seed
type appearance.
What causes it?
There are a number
of causes of feline miliary dermatitis including:
-
Flea bite hypersensitivity this is the most common cause
of feline miliary dermatitis
-
Allergies; food
intolerance, inhalant allergy,
food allergy
-
Bacterial
infections
-
Mites
-
Mange
-
Ringworm
-
Yeast infections
-
Immune mediated
diseases
-
Drug
hypersensitivity
-
Poor diet
-
Hormonal/endocrine disorder
What are the
symptoms of
feline miliary
dermatitis?
-
Red, crusty
bumps, especially around the head, neck & back, often with
intense itching
-
Hair loss
-
Scratching
How is feline
miliary dermatitis
diagnosed?
Your veterinarian
will perform a physical examination of your cat. He/she will
want to identify what is causing feline miliary dermatitis so
the correct treatment can be given. This may include;
-
The location of
the lesions may provide a clue as to the cause. If they are
close to the base of the tail then fleas are often the
culprit. If they are around the head, mites may be the cause.
-
Analysis of coat
brushings, skin scrapings & fur samples to check for parasitic
infections such as mites, fleas or fungal infections.
-
A fecal
examination may be performed to detect the presence of
intestinal parasites.
-
Biochemical profile to see is an underlying medical condition causing
the problem.
-
A skin biopsy.
-
Allergy testing
to see if inhalant antigens are the cause.
How is
feline miliary
dermatitis treated?
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.
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