Skin diseases in cats

Skin diseases in cats can be divided into several large groups. The first group is dermatitis. Characterized by dermatitis appearance on the skinsmall dense nodules and dry crusts that cause itching, and the cat often itches. But dermatitis is not an independent disease, but a manifestation of other skin diseases.

So, dermatitis is accompanied by infection with ectoparasites - fleas, lice, mites. Sometimes parasites or their excrement can be seen in the animal's coat, sometimes - not. For more accuracy, you can contact the veterinarian, he will take an analysis - scraping from the skin - and determine if the cat is infected with parasites, and if so, which ones. To treat the animal you need insectoakaricidal drugs, a specific medication will be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Dermatitis due to fungal infections, can be accompanied by the appearance of tuberclesalopecia (alopecia). In areas where the animal's hair has fallen, the skin may be covered with gray scales. The most common fungal skin infections (dermatomycosis) are trichophytosis and microsporia, known collectively as ringworm. More information about the treatment of fungal infections of the skin can be found in the article "Ringworm in cats".

Also, skin diseases of cats include bacterial infections. Such infections are of wet and dry type. Dry-type infections are expressed in the usual dermatitis described above, and for wet-type infections, wet skin areas with vesicles, pustules, cracks, etc. develop. Bacterial infections develop not in themselves but against the background of wounds or systemic diseases. They are treated with antibiotics, which the veterinarian appoints according to the results of laboratory tests. The skin is treated with softening antibacterial ointments and chlorhexidine (with dry lesions) or drying sprays (with wet).

Finally, dermatitis can be allergicorigin and caused by intolerance to certain foods, as well as by reaction to environmental factors (houseplants, household chemicals, medicines, etc.). Food allergic dermatitis can be accompanied by general lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea. If you run contact dermatitis, it can lead to alopecia, pigmentation, flaking and thickening of the skin. To diagnose allergic dermatitis in cats, first you need to exclude other diseases, and then isolate the cat from possible allergens.

Alopecia (baldness) Is the second large group that combines dermaldiseases in cats. Causes of baldness can be very different, ranging from stress and mechanical damage (collar friction, hair loss at the injection site and injuries) and ending with diseases of the endocrine system.

For treatment baldness caused by stress, you need to eliminate the cause of stress, and the veterinarian can prescribe tranquilizers or mood modifiers. It is impossible to give medicine to the cat yourself! Alopecia due to external injuries usually passes itself, the wool grows with time. And treatment endocrine alopecia necessarily appoints a doctor after conducting laboratory tests.

Also to cutaneous diseases of cats include Pigmentation disorders - albinism, simple lentigo, okolaglaznuyuleukotrichia. Albinism is a congenital disease, it is not necessary to treat it. But it is considered a marriage of the breed, they are not allowed to breed sick animals. Simple lentigo is the appearance of pigmentation near the mouth, eyes and nose, its causes are unknown, treatment is not required - this is a rather cosmetic problem. Around-eye leukotrichia (the appearance of light "glasses" around the eyes) is usually associated with stress and passes by itself.

Also, skin lesions in cats can be caused viral infections (leukemia virus, immunodeficiency virus, herpesvirus and kaltsivirus infection). In this case, you need to treat first of all an infection. Autoimmune diseases of the skin are rare, they are treated with steroid drugs. So called alimentary diseases are associated with the lack of essential nutrients in the diet of the animal, for their treatment it is necessary to translate the cat into a balanced diet. Well and tumor skin diseases can be very different, you need advice from a veterinarian.

As you can see, skin diseases in cats are quiteare various, and independently to diagnose, and furthermore - to appoint to the animal treatment is simply impossible. So if you notice that there are nodules, bubbles or crusts on the animal's skin, if the cat starts to fall out of the coat, if your pet is constantly itching - contact the veterinarian, and the sooner, the better. Most diseases can be cured at an early stage, but if you start the disease, the consequences can be deplorable.