It is understandable how cats’ skin conditions can be dreadful to cat owners. The skin is the largest organ in the body. It serves as a protective barrier of the body. Moreover, it helps manage the temperature of the body and produces certain substances such as glandular secretions, claws, and hair.
There are several factors that put your furry friends at risk with skin problems. This includes the breed, gender, and lifestyle. Outdoor cats are believed to be at a greater risk of infestation and other fight-inflicted injuries than indoor cats. As for breeds, Himalayans are said to be more susceptible to diseases than most cat breeds.
External parasite infestation
Ticks and flea bites
Spotting one flea could mean there are hundreds present around the environment. It is best to thoroughly clean the environment and wash all your bedding. There are also other procedures and preventive measures to successfully eliminate these latching bugs, there are medicines, which can be taken either topical or oral.
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Ear mites
Fungal skin infections
Is your cat suffering from hair loss and dry patches on the skin? It may be time to take action as these are a few telling signs that your pet may have fungus. Affected areas may appear as rough patches or discolouration on the skin.
Ringworm
Ringworm is not restricted to limited areas but can spread throughout the feline’s coat, which may lead to the following:
- Crusting
- Itching
- Hair loss
- Scaling
Visible signs may appear as red circles and lesions with scaly, round, thickened skin and hair loss. Lesions may affect the chest, back, head, and forelegs.
Skin conditions on allergies
Allergic skin disease can be caused by parasites (as discussed above), food, and environmental substances.
Environmental allergies
Food allergies
Affected cats may intensely scratch their neck and head, and may also experience diarrhoea and vomiting. An elimination diet is usually the method used to find out which specific food is causing the allergy. It should be done more carefully without disrupting dietary protein needs.
Signs of skin disease in cats
Here is a general outline of clinical signs of cats affected with certain types of skin disease. Note that the following signs are arranged in no particular order and may manifest as one or more.
- Baldness
- Dandruff
- Discolouration
- Extreme irritation of the ears
- Extreme over-grooming
- Itch, scratch, and bite
- Feet disorders such as condition affecting the pads, nail beds, and claws.
- Lumps
- Matted hair
- Skin wounds
- Skin redness
- Scabs or spots
- Vomiting of hairballs
Treating cat skin problems
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Antibiotic treatment
- Antifungal treatment
- Exclusion diets
- Omega-3 fatty acid diet supplements
- Hair clippings
- Stress management
- Topical treatments (creams, ear cleaners, drops, and washes)