Skin diseases in cats

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 14 February 2021
Update Date: 12 November 2024
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10 Cat Skin Problems and How to Handle Them
Video: 10 Cat Skin Problems and How to Handle Them

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In this PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about skin diseases in cats which appear most commonly in cats of all ages. Wounds, lack of hair, itching or lumps are some of the symptoms that should make you suspect the presence of a skin disease in your cat. It is important to go to the vet, as some conditions can be contagious to people and many others can get complicated if not treated early. However, to give you an idea of ​​what it can be, we have pictures of skin diseases in cats below.

If your cat has scabs, dandruff, skin sores, or hairless areas, read on to find out. skin diseases in cats more common.


Ringworm in cats

This is perhaps the best known and most feared skin disease in cats, as it is a condition that humans can also contract. is caused by fungi that feed on the skin and is more likely to affect younger or sicker cats because their defenses have not yet developed or are down. This is why it is common to find this skin disease in domestic cats taken from the streets.

These fungi produce several lesions, the most typical being rounded alopecia. The skin may become inflamed and itchy. For its diagnosis, Wood's lamp is usually used, and treatments include antifungals. For more details, don't miss this article: Ringworm in cats - contagion and treatment.

Allergic dermatitis from flea bites

Dermatitis is another common skin disease in cats. It occurs due to a reaction to flea saliva. In allergic cats, a single bite is enough to damage the lumbosacral, perineal, abdomen, flanks and neck areas. These symptoms usually intensify during periods of increased flea incidence, although sometimes we cannot see them. To prevent this skin disease in cats, it is essential that you implement a deworming calendar Suitable for all animals in the house, including environmental disinfection.


mange on cats

Mange in cats is another of the most common and dreaded skin diseases. The truth is that there are several types, being the notohedral mange and othodectic mange the most common in these animals. Both pathologies are characterized by being localized, so that symptoms do not appear throughout the cat's body, only in certain areas.

The main symptoms of this type of skin disease in cats are itchiness, redness in some parts of the body, accompanied by shedding of hair, sores and scabs. In the case of scabies, the signs develop in the ears, which show an increase in dark colored wax, which can even cause ear infections if left untreated. It is essential to go to the veterinarian to make the diagnosis and start treatment.


Feline Psychogenic Alopecia

This alopecia is one of the skin diseases in cats caused by behavioral disorders. the lack of hair is self-induced by excessive licking and cleaning, that occurs when the cat is anxious for reasons such as changes, the arrival of new family members, etc. Alopecia can appear on any part of the body that the animal reaches with its mouth. In these cases, treatments involve finding out what triggers the stress. You can consult a ethologist or specialist in feline behavior.

Another alopecic problem is called telogen effluvium, in which, due to a situation of strong stress, the hair cycle is interrupted, and the hair ends up falling suddenly when its formation is restarted after overcoming the situation. Normally, the hair falls almost all over the body. Does not require any treatment.

feline acne

This skin disease in cats consists of a chin inflammation and occasionally from the lips, which can occur in cats of any age. It is a skin disease that is complicated by a secondary infection. Initially, are observed black dots which can progress to pustules, infections, edema, swelling of nearby nodes and itching. The veterinarian will prescribe a topical treatment.

Dermatitis in cats

It is due to reactions from hypersensitivity to different allergens that cause a skin disease in cats characterized by inflammation and itching, called atopic dermatitis. It usually appears in cats under three years of age and has variable symptoms, with signs such as alopecia, sores and, in all cases, itching. There are cats that also have a respiratory condition with chronic cough, sneezing and even conjunctivitis. Treatment is based on controlling the itching.

solar dermatitis in cats

This skin problem in cats is caused by exposure to the sun and affects lighter, hairless areas, especially the ears, although it can also appear on the eyelids, nose, or lips. It starts with redness, flaking and shedding of hair. If exposure continues, sores and scabs appear, causing pain and scratching, which worsen the condition. In the case of the ears, tissue is lost and can degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma, which is a malignant tumor. It is necessary to avoid direct contact with the sun, use protection and, in severe cases, have a surgical intervention.

Fibrosarcoma associated with injections

Sometimes, the injection of vaccines and drugs triggers a neoplastic process due to the irritating substances these products may contain. In this skin disease in cats, the inflammation occurs at the injection site, causing a subcutaneous mass that is not painful to the touch, with shedding of hair that lasts weeks or months after the puncture. If the disease progresses, it can ulcerate. Treatment is surgical and the prognosis is reserved.

Skin cancer in cats

There are more and more cases of cancer in cats and dogs due to various factors. For this reason, skin cancer is already considered another of the most common skin diseases in cats. In this group, the most common skin cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma and it often goes unnoticed until its state is so advanced that there is little that can be done. That's why visiting the vet for regular checkups is so important.

This type of cancer manifests itself in the form of sores in the area of ​​the nose and ears that don't heal. So, if you identify them in your feline, you should go to the specialist as soon as possible to determine if you are dealing with a case of cancer or not.

abscesses

an abscess is a pus accumulation which manifests as a nodule. The size can vary and it is common for these nodules to become red and sometimes open, as if it were a wound or ulcer. It is not a disease per se, although it is a very common skin problem because it occurs as a result of an infection. It causes pain and it is important to treat it to prevent the infection from getting worse, as well as the abscess state.

Although abscesses in cats can appear anywhere on the body, abscesses that develop in the perianal region, those caused by bites and dental abscesses are more common.

warts on cats

Warts in cats are not always indicative of the presence of a disease, as in most cases they are benign tumors. However, they can also be a sign of skin cancer or a product of the viral papillomatosis. Although this disease is generally less common than its predecessors, it can occur. The virus that produces it is not the canine papilloma virus, but a specific virus that only affects cats. It enters the feline through skin lesions and begins to develop, forming a kind of dermal plaque. Thus, what we see are not isolated warts, as happens with dogs, but these plaques that show reddish, voluminous and hairless areas.

In either case, it is important to go to the vet to determine the cause and start treatment.

Skin Diseases in Persian Cats

All of the above skin problems can affect all breeds of cats. However, Persian cats, due to their characteristics and matings carried out for years, tend to suffer from a number of skin diseases. Thus, in this feline breed the following diseases stand out:

  • hereditary seborrhea, which can occur in a mild or intense degree. The mild form appears after six weeks of life, affecting the skin and the base of the hair, causing pimples and abundant ear wax. Intense seborrhea can be observed from 2-3 days of age, with fat, scaling and a bad smell. The treatment uses anti-seborrheic shampoos
  • idiopathic facial dermatitis, perhaps caused by a disorder in the sebaceous glands. It is characterized by a dark discharge that forms considerable scabs around the eyes, mouth and nose in young cats. The condition is complicated by infections, itchy face and neck, and often ear infections. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory drugs and symptom control.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.