Skin diseases in cats have recently become frequently diagnosed, large-scale. An increasing number of owners notice problems with the skin, consult a doctor. Skin diseases have a different nature, look different. Selected visual photos, a description of the symptoms, the basics of treatment described in our article will help you not to miss the first important signs of diseases.

There is a whole gamut of possible factors that cause cats to develop skin diseases. Hereditary, anthropogenic, infectious and many others. They lead to skin problems, which are sometimes so unexpressed that many of our pets suffer from the disease for a long time.

"Simple" skin diseases in cats

acne

This is what pet acne is called. Occurs more often on the chin. Looks like a cluster of black dots. Often, in advanced cases, a bacterial infection develops. The course of the disease progresses, purulent inflammation appears. The causes of the development of the disease are varied - from malnutrition to a symptom of an infection.

Folliculitis

Inflammation of the hair follicle. It develops as a complication of acne or other infectious skin diseases. It looks like a swelling around the hair, often filled with fluid, palpation causes pain in the cat.

Fungal otitis media

Inflammation of the external auditory canal. The first signs of the disease are manifested by shaking the head, the cat scratches the ear. Develops against the background of weakened immunity.

Ear mites

With improper care of the ears of a pet, mites begin to multiply in them at a frantic pace. The disease manifests itself with scratching, an unpleasant odor from the ears, dark gray discharge. The skin of the ears turns red, the local temperature rises.

Alopecia

Occur in response to any stimulus - food, natural, chemical. Food allergies are the most common - a cat combs its neck and head. Some breeds are predisposed to negative reactions to the flowering of certain plants. Many, especially young, animals react sharply to bathing, haircuts. Eliminating the allergen is often enough to treat an allergy.

Internal causes

Problems with various systems of the cat's vital activity also lead to the manifestation of skin diseases.

Tail gland hyperplasia

Increased secretion of this gland leads to excessive accumulation of sebaceous secretions. Standing out, it envelops the hairs at the point of growth, blocking their further development. As a result, the hair falls out, bare areas are formed. Treatment comes down to constant monitoring of the problem area, castration helps cats.

Tumors

Some older cats eventually develop thickening under the skin - single tumors. They can be easily removed surgically. Cats with white ears often suffer from a more dangerous variety - skin cancer. It is manifested by a change in the appearance of a certain area of ​​the skin, often visible darkening, skin roughness.

Mental disorders

After a lot of stress - moving, the appearance of a child in the house, another animal - some cats fall into a state of constant grooming. Licking themselves again and again, they injure the skin, ulcers appear, and the hair falls out.

Dangerous skin diseases in cats

Ringworm

Symptoms: hair loss in certain areas of the skin, peeling, the appearance of strange scales, sometimes purulent wounds. The cat may itch, but lichen usually does not itch.

demodicosis

A serious disease caused by microscopic mites. Very contagious, rapidly developing. The main symptom is severe, persistent itching, the skin is covered with red spots. It starts with the head, ears. Without treatment, it quickly captures the rest of the body, appearing sequentially in the armpits, on the folds, at the base of the tail.

Factors predisposing to the appearance of demodicosis are improper feeding, maintenance, lack of a number of B vitamins, vitamin A, E, and worms.

Eczema

The main symptom of eczema is a weeping surface of the skin. The cat combs the affected area, redness, nodules appear on the skin. The general condition changes: fever develops, the cat loses weight, kidney problems begin.

The veterinarian, based on skin scraping tests, will rule out other skin diseases and prescribe antihistamines. It is not recommended to treat the cat on its own, as any improper treatment can cause additional complications.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is dangerous with an unpredictable manifestation. Untreated in time, they can greatly undermine the animal's immune system.

bedsores

Necrotic destruction of the cat's skin due to prolonged lying in one place. Manifested by tissue necrosis, death of skin cells. It is observed in sick animals that are forced to stay in one position for a long time. Symptoms: soreness when touched, lowering the temperature of the dying area, discoloration, the appearance of ulcers. Prevention of the development of bedsores is simple - turn your pet over more often in the postoperative period, do not let him sit on the injured limb for a long time. Treatment is reduced to the treatment of wounds, dressings, removal of dead tissue.

associated with viral infections

Some feline diseases lead to the development of skin problems. For example, when leukemia covers are affected especially strongly - abscesses, neoplasms, wounds appear. Immunodeficiency cats causes chronic otitis with damage to the skin of the ears, numerous pustules (vesicles with pus) appear on the body. causes damage to the skin of the paw pads, around the nose.

It is important to seek the help of a veterinarian in a timely manner to determine the cause of the appearance of a skin disease. The specialist will determine the main cause of the sore, prescribe adequate therapy.

The cat occasionally scratches, but it looks quite safe. However, once again stroking his pet, the owner notices the bodies that have appeared in different places. sores in a cat. What are the reasons for which, it would seem, asymptomatically, cat gets sick?

Among the vast picture of feline skin diseases, a number of particularly common ailments can be distinguished, as a result of which the cat is in pain.

Causes of sores in domestic cats

The factors by which cats develop various dermatitis can be conditionally divided into genetic (hereditary), infectious, anthropogenic (exposure to external causes), and invasive. Before rushing to treat an animal, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. How to treat sores in a cat the veterinarian will tell you after a certain series of tests and finding out the main cause of the disease.

Sores in a cat on the head and neck

The resulting cat has sore on chin, more often - a scattering of small black dots (acne) mixed with sores and sores, is called acne. It develops as a result of malnutrition, skin irritation from contact with inappropriate dishes (reaction to plastic), skin infections.

Sores with a smell in a cat

Sores with a smell in a cat localized in the ears and are a consequence of a neglected ear mite infection. When the ears are not properly cared for, there is a high risk of otitis media of various etiologies, the cat scratches itchy ears to non-healing foul-smelling wounds.

Appeared cat has sore eyes may indicate the presence of a viral infection, trauma to the cornea of ​​the eye, a foreign body, or allergies. The irritating factor causes itching in the cat, the animal combs the skin until sores appear.

Cat head pain

Cat head pain may appear as a result of damage in fights or games with another animal. Discovered cat has a sore on his nose it can also be the result of trauma, an allergic reaction, polyposis, a viral infection. If with proper sanitation sore cat does not go away within three days, you need to show the animal to a specialist.

Discovered the cat has sores on the side of the tail with a high degree of probability, arise due to hyperplasia of the sebaceous tail glands. Increased secretion clogs the pores of the skin, causing irritation. Sores on the cat's tail are the reaction of the animal to itching, scratching and hair loss with the formation of crusts on the combed places.

Sores in a cat, cat, kitten. How to treat

Discovered cat fur sores should serve as a signal to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the causes of the occurrence. If desired, a specialist can be called to the house for the initial diagnosis of the disease and the collection of the necessary tests from the animal. Extra worries will not add health to a sick pet, and at home, both the cat and the owner are less stressed.

Skin diseases in cats are at the forefront of modern veterinary medicine. This is due to malnutrition - poorly selected feed, illiterate breeding work, and poor environmental conditions play an important role. Due to the above factors, local or widespread rashes, ulcers, etc. can be observed on the skin. Below are all lesions of the skin of cats, combined into groups according to clinical symptom-complexes.

Miliary dermatitis

Miliary dermatitis is characterized by the formation of dry or weeping cavitary elements on the skin. They are located on the surface in the form of small elevations, form crusts or peel off, fester or are presented in the form of small nodules. Miliary dermatitis covers most of all skin diseases and can be caused by the following reasons.

Allergy to food, hygiene products or medications.

Damage to the skin by a fungal or bacterial infection.

Atopic dermatitis.

On examination, blood-sucking mites, fleas and cheilites will be noticeable. Heilites are also called "crawling dandruff", as they look like small, gray, constantly moving scales.

With negative results of the above diagnostic measures, it is recommended to examine the feces for worm eggs. Helminths can cause allergic miliary dermatitis.

Fungal infection of the skin

It is characterized by the presence of alopecia (baldness). On hairless areas, hard-to-remove white or pale gray scales are formed, under which hyperemic thinned skin is found. The presence of itching and its intensity depend on the type of pathogen and the degree of damage.

Treatment of a fungal infection is also advisable to carry out on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Depending on the strain of the fungus and the degree of damage, only mild local treatment or long-term complex treatment, with additional vaccination, may be needed. It is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs or hygiene products with an antimycotic effect on your own. Many of them are toxic, and certain breeds of cats are especially susceptible to them.

Skin damage by a bacterial infection

Suppuration of already existing wound surfaces, scratches, folds occurs. Bubbles, crusts, pustules or scales form at the site of the lesion. As a rule, the process affects only the superficial layers of the skin, deeper lesions should suggest more serious conditions (decreased immunity, taking glucocorticoids, neoplasms, viral infection). It is best to prescribe antibiotic therapy after bacterial culture of the scraping of the affected skin area and determination of sensitivity to antibiotics.

Allergic dermatitis

Caused by food, certain plants, medicines, or the sun. Manifested by itching and rashes in the muzzle, on the tips of the ears, along the lower edge of the eyelid or in the area of ​​the nose and lips. Hairless areas appear on the sides and abdomen.

As a rule, the disease occurs annually, at the same time, gradually progressing. Without treatment for several years leads to squamous cell skin cancer.

Atopic dermatitis

Similar to allergic, but more severe and more acute. Appears as a pathological reaction to common products and products that are, in principle, not allergens.

Alopecia (baldness)

Alopecia can be both an independent disease and a symptom of other common diseases among cats. There is congenital and acquired. Congenital alopecia and hereditary hypotrichosis are manifested by an abnormally low number of hair follicles. This occurs only in certain breeds - sphinxes, devon rexes, etc.

Acquired alopecia includes seasonal molting, complications of miliary dermatitis, traumatic and psychogenic alopecia. With psychogenic alopecia, a cat, due to a violation of the behavioral response, plucks or licks its hair intensively. Traumatic alopecia occurs at the site of injections, collars, or other injuries.

Endocrine alopecia is also distinguished - it is symmetrical on both sides of the body, and can be caused by disorders in any of the endocrine organs.

Pigmentation disorders

Albinism- congenital defect. It is not subject to treatment, and the animal is not allowed for breeding.

Periocular leukotrichia. It develops as a result of a stressful situation in some breeds. Appears as lightening of the fur around the eyes. Treatment does not require, passes on its own.

Lentigo. These are dark spots that appear on the gums, nose, lips, or eyelids. There is no cure. The disease is not dangerous and is only a cosmetic problem.

Tumors

Skin tumors can be either benign or malignant. Visually, this is difficult to determine even by a veterinarian, so any tumor in your cat requires additional examinations. The sooner this is done, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Diseases of the subcutaneous fat and sebaceous glands

Panniculitis - inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. It is characterized by the appearance of bubbles with liquid in the lower part of the chest or symmetrically on the sides. After some time, the bubbles open up and form ulcers with oily contents. Ulcers do not heal for a long time, deep scars remain in their place.

acne- comedones. Occur as a result of disruption of the sebaceous glands. Rashes appear on the cat's face. Acne can become inflamed due to an attached bacterial infection.

Seborrhea. It is dry and oily. Dry seborrhea is dry white scales that appear on dry, thin skin. It is most often the result of stress and can occur within a few hours. Oily seborrhea is the same scales only on oily skin and wool. It is the result of a violation of the activity of internal organs, most often the liver and pancreas.

Inflammation of the perianal glands. Occurs rarely. It can be suspected if the cat constantly licks and scratches the anus, and defecation gives her pain and discomfort.

Hyperplasia of the tail glands. The wax secretion of the sebaceous glands accumulates in the upper part of the tail, where there are especially many of them. The base of the tail thickens, an oily secretion of a gray-yellow color is released. The coat becomes thin and dull.

Any skin disease in a cat requires adequate diagnosis and treatment. After all, they can signal more serious violations. Abrasions and scratches do not need to be treated, cats themselves lick such damage. damage

Recently, skin diseases have become widespread in cats, from which, according to statistics, every third pet suffers. Often, problems with the skin are the result of some kind of internal pathology that requires immediate treatment. Many skin diseases are dangerous not only for the cat, but also for the owner, so it is extremely important to recognize the disorder in a timely manner and begin treatment.

List of skin diseases in cats

There is a whole range of skin diseases that are versatile and manifest themselves in completely different ways. Skin lesions can be triggered by a variety of reasons - hereditary, anthropogenic, infectious, even a simple change in diet can cause rashes on the body.

Attention. It should not be forgotten that fleas are carriers of helminths and are able to infect an animal through a normal bite. Therefore, along with treatment for flea, the animal should be dewormed in a timely manner.

Ringworm

Ringworm is an infectious fungal pathology that often affects young animals with reduced immunity, as well as cats that have had cancer or viral diseases.

The cause of the disease is the spores of the fungus, which can be brought on clothes or shoes. Infection occurs through contact with a sick animal, through shared toys, feeding and care items.

The clinical signs of ringworm are:

• bald areas on the head, tail and limbs;
• in the center of the affected area, the skin turns red and flakes, sometimes ulcers, white scales and crusts appear.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with the help of antifungal ointments and antiseptic solutions. In severe cases, antibiotics, vaccines, and oral antifungal medications are prescribed.

acne

Acne is an acne disease characterized by the formation of closed and open comedones, most often on the chin.

The reasons for the development of acne can be improper care of the cat, stress, infectious pathologies, abnormalities in the development of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Visually, the disease is manifested by the presence of black or white dots, partial hair loss, and an increase in hard crusts. Acne can progress to painful ulcers and pustules, which can lead to inflammation and bacterial infection.

Acne treatment consists in treatment with antiseptic and antiseborrheic soaps and shampoos (for example, tar), applying antiseptic solutions (Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, etc.). In advanced cases, antibiotics and corticosteroids are used.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections come in two forms: dry and wet. In the first case, dense formations and crusts appear on the skin. The second form is characterized by the presence of skin areas with severe hyperemia and moisture, which is accompanied by a rash, ulcers, itching and crusts.

To understand the form in which the disease occurs in a pet, it is necessary not only to familiarize yourself with the description of the disease, but also to carefully study the photo.

There can be a huge number of reasons for a bacterial infection:

• allergy accompanied by itching;
• heredity;
• stress;
• violation of metabolic processes;
• the presence of shallow wounds;
• diabetes mellitus, tumors, kidney damage, etc.

Treatment is based on the use of antibiotics and local preparations (Miramistin, Levomekol, aluminum and zinc-containing ointments).

They are classified as bacterial skin diseases.

Allergic skin diseases

Allergic reactions are the result of an inadequate response of the cat's immune system to foreign substances entering the body. Anything can be the cause of an allergy: a certain food component, household chemicals, plant pollen, synthetic fabrics, dust in the house, etc. When exposed to an allergen, skin hyperemia, the presence of inflamed areas, severe itching, hair loss and fever are observed.

Important. Prolonged exposure to the allergen is fraught with the development of atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma and asthmatic syndrome.

Therapy for allergic reactions includes taking antihistamines to relieve itching, hormonal agents, and antibiotics when urgently needed. To alleviate the condition of the pet, medicated shampoos and decoctions of medicinal herbs are used.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by environmental allergens. The reason for the appearance of this disease is an increased reaction of the body to certain substances (mold, pollen, household chemicals, certain foods, dust, etc.).

Atopic dermatitis has the following clinical picture:

• severe itching and, as a result, scratching;
• skin rash;
• hair loss;
• when an infection enters the wound, pustules form;
• the affected areas are in the head, ears, neck or chest, in the lower abdomen and between the thighs.

To prevent the development of infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antimicrobials are prescribed, and to eliminate signs of allergy, standard antihistamines (Chlorpheniramine, Clemastine) are prescribed.

Eczema

The disease is manifested by such symptoms as:

• severe itching and scratching;
• the appearance of pustules, vesicles, nodules and crusts on the skin;
• redness of the skin;
• weight loss;
• fever;
• kidney disease;
• weeping surface of the skin.

Treatment of eczema consists of taking antihistamines and sedatives supplemented with a vitamin complex.

We offer a review.

demodicosis

Symptoms of demodicosis include:

• the formation of dense tubercles on the body of the pet, when pressed on which white clots are released;
• constant scratching and rashes on the skin;
• redness of the affected areas;
• partial baldness;
• the presence of red crusts;
• the formation of pustules with the duration of the disease.

Attention. It is this skin ailment that most often leads to death.

ear mite

The progression of the disease is fraught with inflammation of the outer ear, which is able to move to the middle, which in turn is dangerous imbalance. In such a situation, the animal will constantly keep its head to one side. Sometimes the infection reaches the parotid space, provoking severe inflammation.

Treatment of ear mites includes the systematic cleansing of the ear canals and the use of acaricidal drops.

Learn more about a common disease -.

Psychogenic alopecia

Alopecia is the rapid loss of hair. The cause of psychogenic alopecia in domestic cats is a neurosis that occurs as a result of environmental changes (change of residence, a new owner, the appearance of a new family member or pet in the house, etc.).

Most often, this disease occurs in emotional breeds: Siamese, Himalayan, Burmese, Abyssinian, but it also happens in outbred individuals. Externally, the disease manifests itself as alopecia in the groin, on the abdomen, sides and inner thighs, along the dorsal midline. On the bald areas there is neither redness nor crusts.

In the treatment of psychogenic alopecia, the main thing is to eliminate or minimize stress. Of the medicines, behavior-correcting drugs have proven themselves: Amitriptyline, Kot Bayun or Stop Stress.

Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome (or hyperadrenocorticism) is an extremely rare disease that develops as a result of an excessive amount of the hormone cortisol in the body. An excess of cortisol can occur with the use of large amounts of corticosteroids orally, topically or by injection, with tumors of the adrenal cortex, and also as a result of pituitary gland disease.

With Cushing's syndrome, the following phenomena are observed:

• increased thirst and increased urination;
• voracity;
• enlarged belly;
• amyotrophy;
• lethargy;
• hair loss;
• skin thinning.

In the treatment of this serious disease, as a rule, the drug Trilostan is used, which suppresses the production of cortisol. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the adrenal or pituitary gland, as well as radiation therapy for the pituitary tumor.

Sarcoptic mange

The clinical picture of sarcoptic mange is similar to other diseases: the affected areas dry out and cause itching, later the hair falls off in these places, and the scabs form unattractive ulcers.

In the fight against ticks, Sarcoptes have proven themselves well, which are applied to the withers of the animal.

Notoedrosis

Symptoms of this disease include:

• severe itching;
• bubbles are observed on the muzzle, ears, abdomen and inguinal region, which, after combing, become covered with crusts;
• hair loss, often in places where crusts are concentrated;
• as the disease progresses, the skin thickens, dries and cracks - as a result, wounds open the gates to infections (bacteria, fungi and viruses).

Notoedrosis therapy includes bathing with acaricidal and keratolytic shampoos, as well as topical application of drugs (Demos, aversectin ointment, neocidol aqueous emulsion, sulfuric ointment, Stronghold).

Various dermatological diseases are not uncommon in all domesticated felines. Most often, scabs in a cat appear against the background of a significant decrease in immunity and chronic diseases.

The development of flea dermatitis is accompanied by severe itching, so the cat can comb the damaged areas, exacerbating the situation. As part of the treatment, fleas should be eliminated first. For this purpose, you can use special drops that must be applied to the withers of the animal. To relieve an allergic reaction, Execan is administered ½ cube 1 time per day. In addition, you can use ointments and creams, which include antihistamines.

Another common disease that provokes the appearance of characteristic crusts on the skin of a cat is folliculitis. In this disease, against the background of skin lesions with staphylococcus and staphylococcus, inflammation develops. Treatment should be antibiotics and immunostimulants.

Among other things, often the appearance of defects on the skin is associated with the development of such a dermatological disease as eczema. In this case, the skin undergoes an inflammatory process. The causes of this disease can be rooted in the stress experienced by the animal, infectious diseases, and in addition, diseases of the internal organs. In the vast majority of cases, exacerbations occur in the autumn and spring periods. Eczema in cats can be either wet or dry.

In addition to the characteristic redness and peeling of certain areas of the skin, additional symptoms may appear, for example, severe itching, scratching wounds and foci of hair loss. Therapy of this disease in animals is a significant challenge. First of all, it is necessary to use special therapeutic shampoos that reduce the risk of relapse. Among other things, it is necessary, if possible, to protect the cat from stress, feed only high-quality food and give it vitamin complexes.

Rarely, domestic felines can develop skin cancer. Most often, this problem is observed in cats that do not have a coat, as the delicate skin is constantly exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation. With the development of skin cancer, the cells of the upper layer of the epidermis begin malignant degeneration. Considering that the symptoms of this dangerous disease resemble furunculosis and dermatitis for a long time, some pet owners cannot determine the cause of the problem in a timely manner.

In this case, only a veterinarian can make a correct diagnosis, and only after a histological examination of the tissues of the damaged skin area. If the skin area affected by a malignant tumor is small, it is removed. If the cat has scabs on the body caused by skin cancer, treatment can give a good effect only in the early stages of the development of the pathology.

Skin diseases in cats occur for a number of reasons. This includes contact with a sick animal, an allergic reaction to pet shampoo, and severe stress. In order to recognize dangerous symptoms in time and start treatment, you must learn as much as possible about them. This article talks about the most dangerous skin diseases in cats.

Scabies in cats is one of those diseases that is transmitted to animals of other species and to humans. The causative agent of this disease is the mite Notoedris Cati, popularly referred to as the scabies mite. One of the characteristic signs of scabies is the strongest, painful itching.

Symptoms

This phenomenon begins at the edges of the ears, then passes to the frontal part of the head and neck, and in the most severe case, it captures the entire body of the unfortunate animal.

Diagnosis of the disease

If you notice warning signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not forget that the scabies mite also affects humans.

After examining the animal, the veterinarian will ask you a few questions. Based on the information received, as well as on the results of the scraping analysis, he determines which type of tick your pet has become infected with and, depending on this, prescribes the appropriate medication.

Treatment

The first thing to do is to place the sick animal in a separate room to prevent infection of people living in the house and other pets.

Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics for your cat in the form of injections, lotions and ointments with sulfur or tar. Of the drugs for external use, Amitrazine is usually prescribed. Ivermectin is injected under the skin (within a week), but this drug should be used only under the supervision of a veterinarian. It is undesirable to give injections of "Ivermectin" to kittens.

In addition to this, medicated shampoos and emulsions can be prescribed, as well as taking vitamins and immunostimulants designed to strengthen the animal's immunity.

When the acute period of the disease has passed, it is recommended to treat the cat with drops against fleas and ticks or put on a flea collar. Be sure to treat with insecticides all things belonging to the cat: toys, scratching post, cat house and other places of rest.

Preventive measures

To minimize the possibility of infecting an animal with scabies, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. strengthen the cat's immunity;
2. give her vitamins;
3. at least once a month, treat the animal's things with insecticidal preparations;
4. thoroughly wash and disinfect dishes belonging to the cat;
5. take care of your pet's hygiene;
6. inspect it daily and take it to a specialist for examination at least once every six months.

There is hardly a person who has not heard of such a disease as ringworm. This is one of the most serious diseases of cats, which without the help of a specialist can lead to very sad consequences.

Ringworm is a fungal disease that is very easy to catch: the spores of the fungus that causes it are everywhere where the sick cat has passed. They have increased resistance to disinfection, are able to remain viable for a long time under the most unfavorable environmental conditions.

Adult vaccinated animals with strong immunity will not contract this disease. At risk are kittens and those animals whose immunity is weakened due to illness, beriberi, prolonged starvation. The risk of infection is especially high in cats that enjoy unlimited freedom.

Symptoms

Ringworm is named for a reason: the coat of wool in areas affected by fungi looks as if the wool was carefully cut from it.

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a small rash on those areas of the skin where the fungus has settled. This first sign often goes unnoticed, especially if the cat is long-haired. The owner may be alerted by some anxiety that the animal shows, and by combing certain areas of the skin.

At the next stage of the disease, rounded, hairless spots become visible, which are covered with small scaly scales. Initially, they can appear on the periphery - ears, tail, head and paws. With intensive scratching, the infection captures an increasing area and, if treatment is not started, it can spread to almost the entire skin.

Diagnosis of the disease

If you find a suspicious type of bald patch in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. In the case of ringworm, it is better to play it safe. The specialist will conduct microscopic, luminescent and cultural studies and, based on this, prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Treatment

You need to prepare for the fact that the treatment of ringworm will take a lot of time - at least one and a half months. It is not easy to defeat the fungus, in addition, re-infection may occur.

If you start treatment at an early stage, it is enough to use external antifungal agents - shampoos, ointments or creams. To have free access to the affected areas of the skin, it is advisable to cut the pet completely.

Treatments with thiabendazole or miconazole give a very good result.

In more complex cases, in addition to external agents, the veterinarian will prescribe oral medications.

Be sure to disinfect all things belonging to the animal, or better, purchase others, and burn the old ones.

Preventive measures

Unfortunately, even if your pet does not cross the threshold of the apartment, this does not exclude the possibility of infection with ringworm. You can bring fungus spores on shoes, clothes or your own palm. There is another thing: the owner becomes infected from a cat, which is only a carrier of the infection. There are frequent cases when animals are not kept in the house at all, and a person becomes ill by catching a fungus in a public place. There is only one way out: watch your health, strengthen your immune system.

Dermatitis

Most owners, far from veterinary medicine, consider cat dermatitis to be a harmless disease that can go away on its own. After all, most often it is a reaction to some irritating substance or a banal allergy. However, not all so simple. If you don’t catch yourself in time, dermatitis can spread over the entire surface of the skin, and then the animal will have to wait for a long treatment.

Cat owners experience different types of dermatitis:

• allergic;
• superficial;
• traumatic;
• purulent;
• wet;
• chemical.

There are many causes for dermatitis. It can be the result of allergies, the activity of viruses, bacteria or fungi, exposure to toxic substances, hormonal failure, trauma and stress, etc.

Symptoms

With all the variety of types of dermatitis, their symptoms are very similar:

1. restless state of the animal;
2. increase in body temperature;
3. lack of hair on the affected areas;
4. skin rashes accompanied by severe itching;
5. slight swelling;
6. inflammation accompanied by redness.

Diagnostics

Finding signs of dermatitis in a pet, you must immediately deliver it to a veterinary clinic. Based on the examination and test results, the doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

If the case is complex, antibiotics and treatment with antibacterial agents may be needed.

Treatment

Usually, for a complete cure, it is enough for a pet to normalize nutrition, exclude foods that cause allergies, and treat the affected areas with medicines prescribed by a veterinarian. This does not apply to severe forms of dermatitis: chemical, traumatic, purulent.

With a chemical, a cycle of washings is prescribed, which relieve irritation, help restore the skin. Sometimes there is a need for wound healing drugs.

To cope with traumatic and purulent dermatitis, antibiotic injections are used, and wounds are washed with disinfectants.

Be sure to monitor your pet's well-being. If his temperature rises, signs of weakness, drowsiness appear, this may indicate that the spread of the infection continues.

Preventive measures

Avoiding dermatitis in a cat is not so difficult:

1. keep household chemicals, medicines, perfumes and cosmetics out of the cat's reach;
2. periodically wash the animal with a zoo shampoo, give it anthelmintics, accustom it to wearing a flea collar;
3. limit your pet's contact with stray animals;
4. be sure to wash and disinfect all items belonging to the pet, boil the covers put on his mattress;
5. watch the nutrition of the animal, do not forget about vitamins.

Eczema

If the owner has found sores, vesicles or scales on the body of the animal, accompanied by inflammation, it is safe to say that the cat has eczema.

The main cause of eczema is the increased sensitivity of the skin. It can appear as a result of a burn or prolonged friction, exposure to various chemicals, as well as changes in the animal's body - diabetes mellitus or hormonal disruptions. Sometimes eczema can be triggered by hypothermia or prolonged exposure to the sun.

There are frequent cases of chronic eczema, which periodically manifests itself throughout the life of the animal.

Symptoms

There are two types of eczema in cats: dry and wet.

Symptoms characteristic of both species at an early stage:

• slight redness;
• the appearance of itching;
• the temperature rises in the affected area;
• scratches occur;
• the appearance of seals, which later become blisters or bubbles.

In the future, for each type of eczema, the picture changes.

With wet eczema, the vesicles open, the skin in this place becomes inflamed and swells, after which the appearance of abscesses or ulcers can be expected.

With dry eczema, the surface of the blisters dries up, peeling of scales begins, peeling - symptoms characteristic of the chronic stage.

Diagnostics

To find out the causes of eczema in a cat, you need to do the following tests:

1. general blood analysis;
2. blood test for food allergens;
3. blood chemistry;
4. Ultrasound of the liver and kidneys;
5. Ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries.

Treatment

The healing process can take a long time. You will have to be patient and do everything that the veterinarian prescribes.

All hair is cut off from damaged areas, and the skin is treated with alcohol. They should not be washed with water.

To relieve itching and nervousness of a pet, you can, as prescribed by a veterinarian, give him sedatives, such as bromine, and sulfanilamide antibiotics. To maintain the cat's body, injections of vitamins and pain medication should be administered. If eczema occupies a large surface of the skin, and the animal's health has worsened, diuretics - furosemide or lasix can be used. They will help flush out toxins.

Local therapy includes a number of ointments, which should be selected depending on the morphology of the formations. From vesicles, ulcers and erosion, you can use astringent preparations - ointments and powders. It is also allowed to use a solution of rivanol or silver nitrate. Wounds must be treated with an antiseptic - tincture of iodine or chlorhexidine. As the formations dry out, you can switch to ointments that contain zinc.

If eczema appeared as a result of systemic diseases, then along with the treatment of skin manifestations, it is necessary to conduct a general therapy for a chronic illness.

Prevention

The main factor in the prevention of eczema is good care. A cat can easily get sick due to poor living conditions. To avoid this, keep the room where the cat spends most of its time clean.

Do not use tight and hard flea collars. Treat scratches in time and do not use aggressive detergents when washing the animal.

The appearance of crusts, wounds or non-healing erosions on the head of an animal is an alarm signal that indicates health problems. In a cat, sores on the face appear most often for two reasons - dermatitis or an allergic reaction to food.

A fairly common problem in young animals is the appearance of wounds in the lips, eyebrows, less often on the neck. Most often, they are localized precisely around the mouth, which makes it possible to suspect an allergic reaction.

Crusts on and under the ears appear with dermatitis, or may be the result of otitis media. Distinguishing a skin disease from inflammation of the ears is quite simple - with otitis media, the cat feels pain, does not allow touching the head, pus is released from the ear canal. Inflammatory diseases cause the animal to comb the ears to the crusts, while with skin pathologies, erosion appears regardless of mechanical impact.

In most cases, the wounds are dense crusts or weeping erosions. In this case, the wool grows both from the scab and under it, which can be seen if it is separated from the skin. It is possible to accurately diagnose the disease only after a series of examinations. First of all, you need to do a test for lichen. In veterinary clinics, this is done by shining a special lamp and examining scrapings from the affected area.

Allergic reaction as the cause of rashes

Quite often, sores on the face of a cat appear in response to a change in nutrition. At the same time, it does not matter at all what the pet is fed - natural food or dry food. Allergic reactions can occur in any animal, but the risk group is:

• Kittens up to three months;
• Animals weakened by disease;
• Cats that have recently changed owners;
• elderly animals;

Allergies in kittens are associated with malnutrition. Often the appearance of wounds around the mouth is observed in the first days after the appearance of a kitten in a new home. This is due to the fact that the animal's body is simply not ready to abruptly switch from mother cat's milk to "adult" food - feed, fish, meat.

Allergic dermatitis around the mouth can also appear in adult animals that have changed owners. This is primarily due to the stress experienced by the cat in the first days in a new home. The situation is aggravated if other animals live in the family. In addition, new owners may simply not know how they fed their pet before, and a sharp change in diet against a background of stress contributes to the development of an allergic reaction.

A sudden change in diet can also affect the health of a cat that has recently had an illness or an elderly animal. A weakened body will quickly react with an allergic reaction and the appearance of scabs on the face of a fluffy pet.

A feature of the manifestation of food allergies in cats is the absence of itching. If the sores on the cat's face do not itch and do not cause any discomfort to the animal, while their appearance is definitely associated with a change in nutrition, you can be 90% sure that this is a hypersensitivity reaction.

Treating an allergic reaction is easy. It is necessary to give the animal any antihistamine drug, after consulting with the veterinarian about the allowable dosages. This can also be done over the phone, but only if the owner is sure of the nature of the rash in the animal. Next, you need to change the diet, returning to the cat's usual food, or replacing food with hypoallergenic food or sparing natural food.

Sores on the face of a cat photo

Dermatitis in cats

Dermatitis is a disease of the epidermis, predominantly of an inflammatory nature. Pathology can be triggered by the action of fungi or pathogenic bacteria, which most often appears in weakened animals. The risk group consists of elderly cats, animals with beriberi and any chronic diseases in history.

Quite often, people who have picked up a street kitten face dermatitis on the muzzle. Such a disease in this case is due to a lack of vitamins due to the lack of normal nutrition in a stray animal. This leads to weakened immunity and the development of dermatitis.

A characteristic feature of this group of diseases is itching in the area of ​​​​rashes. If a cat has sores with a crust on its face, while the animal behaves restlessly and constantly tries to comb the scabs, dermatitis is the likely cause of this symptom.

Dermatitis is treated in several stages.

1. It is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause of inflammation of the epidermis and the formation of scabs and erosions.
2. For wound healing, external preparations are indicated - shampoos, solutions, ointments. Additionally, an antiseptic treatment is carried out, preventing an increase in the size of the scab.
3. With autoimmune reactions, drugs are prescribed for internal use. Weakened animals are prescribed vitamin supplements to normalize immunity.

Dermatitis cannot be treated on its own. To successfully combat the disease, it is necessary to identify the cause of its development, which can only be done by a veterinarian in the clinic. It is important to note that with timely treatment, dermatitis resolves in a few weeks. In the absence of specific therapy, the disease can become chronic.

Every cat suffers from a skin disease at least once in their life. This problem concerns both street cats, which are an easy target for any infection, and homebody cats, who have almost no communication with their own kind. Skin diseases in cats cause damage not only to the health of the pet itself, but also pose a certain danger to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to know which of them are the most common. When the first symptoms appear in the animal, you should immediately contact the veterinarian. Fortunately, almost all untreated skin infections respond well to treatment and have a good prognosis.

According to their etiology, skin diseases of cats are divided into several large groups:

The list of common diseases is quite long.

• flea infestation;
• fungal (ringworm);
• tick-borne (scabies, demodicosis, otodectosis, cheiletiosis, sarcoptic mange, notoedrosis).

Flea infestation

Flea infestation is one of the few skin conditions that you can treat yourself without going to a doctor.

You should know that fleas do not live on the skin of an animal, but only feed. The entire main process of life and reproduction takes place in their secluded places in the apartment - in the villi of the carpet, under the bed or in the crevices of the baseboards. When implementing therapeutic measures, this must be taken into account. Therefore, treatment should include the following:

• animal handling;
• room processing.

Treatment is carried out with preparations (insecticides) in several stages. It is necessary to completely destroy both adults and their eggs. Such treatments must be repeated at intervals of several months.

Fungal infections

Of the diseases of fungal etiology, ringworm is the most common.

Ringworm is a fungal disease transmitted to humans. Infection of a cat occurs through contact with a sick animal. Fungus spores can be brought into the house on shoes or clothes. Microsporia is distinguished by a very high spreading rate, gradually involving all new parts of the animal's body in the process. Its main symptoms are:

• areas of fallen hair of a rounded shape are localized on the head, paws and back of the cat;
• the affected skin is irritated, has an uneven scaly surface.

In order for the treatment to be successful, it is important to start it at an early stage. A small area of ​​the lesion is much easier to completely cure. The localization site is disinfected with antiseptics, after which an antifungal ointment is applied. The treatment is quite long. In more severe cases, antibiotic therapy is additionally carried out.

Tick ​​infections

Tick ​​infections affecting cats are important to identify. After all, each of them has its own treatment regimen.

Scabies

Scabies is a mite infection of the skin of animals. Its culprits are microscopic scabies mites. They are present at any time on the skin of animals, but are activated only when the body's resistance drops for various reasons. Scabies is contagious to other animals and to humans.

demodicosis

Otodectosis

The cause of otodectosis often lies in the lack of care for animals. Dirt and wax accumulation in the ear passages becomes a breeding ground for the reproduction and vital activity of the ear mite. The behavior of a cat during infection is very characteristic. She constantly shakes her head and suffers from itchy ears. The clinical picture is complemented by unpleasantly smelling dark crusts in the ears. If you do not take medical measures, the condition becomes more serious. The inflammatory process, progressing, involves the eardrum. A possible outcome of the disease is hearing loss and damage to the meninges - meningitis.

Cheiletiosis or "wandering dandruff" is caused in a cat by a special type of microscopic mites that affects the skin of the back along the spine line. The disease can be recognized by its characteristic behavior. Feeling a strong itch, she rolls on the floor, trying to calm him down. The disease is treated with special injectable drugs ("Pirethrin", "Fipronil") and anti-seborrheic shampoos. To increase the effectiveness of drugs, long hair must be cut.

Sarcoptic mange

Sarcoptic mange is also a tick-borne lesion that can occur in both cats and dogs. It causes symptoms similar to those of scabies. Ticks of this species can also infect human skin. The disease gradually disappears on its own, because the tick does not have the possibility of reproduction in the human skin. For the treatment of this disease, the drug "Stronghold" is well suited. It is available in drops that are applied to the withers of the animal.

Notoedrosis

Treatment is carried out with anti-tick drugs ("Amitrazin", "Sulfur ointment", "Amit").

allergic reactions

Quite often, cats have allergic reactions of various origins. The most common household, food and drug allergies. It manifests itself, most often, in the form of dermatitis. In places of localization, the hair usually thins or falls out altogether, itchy areas appear, which causes great discomfort to the animal. The symptoms and treatment of various forms of allergic reactions usually overlap. In most cases, antihistamines are prescribed. But the most important thing is to identify which substance was the allergen and eliminate it.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an allergic disease. Usually caused by various external factors - dust, detergents, pollen. Its signs are progressive baldness in the neck, ears, abdomen or between the thighs, irritation and ulcers on the skin, itching.

The disease is treated with the appointment of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and antihistamines.

Miliary dermatitis

Miliary dermatitis is also in most cases allergic in nature, although it can occur as a result of bacterial, fungal, helminthic infection, hormonal or autoimmune disorders.

It can be recognized by a small-nodular itchy rash, active hair loss in areas of skin lesions.

The diagnosis and cause of the disease are found out during a comprehensive examination: scrapings are taken from the surface of the skin, and a laboratory analysis of wool is performed. If this is not enough, the doctor may order a skin biopsy.

Treatment is prescribed based on the results of the diagnosis. The cause of the pathological reaction of the body is eliminated and maintenance therapy is prescribed.

Food intolerance

Food allergies can occur when a pet is switched to a different diet. This form of the disease is characterized by both skin and gastric manifestations - urticaria, nausea, vomiting, loose stools. Sometimes there are symptoms of eosinophilic granuloma - nodular formations in the lips and oral cavity. If no action is taken, anaphylactic shock may develop.

bacterial infection

Skin diseases caused by bacterial infections have two forms of development - dry (with the formation of dry scales and crusts) and wet (abscesses and vesicles filled with exudate).

bedsores

If the animal has suffered a serious illness or a complex surgical operation, then the recovery period usually requires immobility, which is fraught with bedsores. They are formed in the place of prolonged contact of the body with the tissue of the litter. For the prevention of bedsores, a cat needs careful care - frequent turning, treatment of places where there is a risk of bedsore formation with disinfectants and camphor alcohol.

Eczema

Animals with hypersensitive skin are at high risk of developing eczema. The etiology of the disease can be different:

• Traumatic injury as a result of prolonged exposure to the skin (friction, scratching from bites, burns).
• Neuropathy is a consequence of various internal disorders (systemic diseases, diabetes mellitus, hormonal disorders).
• Physical and chemical damage. In this case, the disease is provoked by chemical burns or irritants affecting the skin.

The disease begins with itchy rashes and vesicles on the skin, local fever. In the future, the foci dry up, leaving flaky areas, or vice versa, they are reborn into a festering, weeping wound.

Treatment is long-term, includes the appointment of local drugs in the form of soothing ointments and powders, and antibiotic therapy.

acne

The cause of acne (blackheads) is usually low immunity, improper care and the stressful state of the animal. This is a bacterial infection that affects the sebaceous glands. You can recognize it by pustular rashes all over the body. Most often acne is localized on the chin and around the lips.

Depending on the severity of the lesion, local or general therapy is used.

First of all, the skin is treated with detergents and antiseptics:

• tar soap and shampoo;
• antiseborrheic shampoos.

Then local antiseptics are applied:

• "Chlorhexidine";
• "Miramistin";
• hydrogen peroxide.

In especially severe cases, the doctor prescribes topical antibiotics (Mupirocin) or corticosteroids (Prednisolone).

Skin diseases of a different etiology

Skin diseases in domestic cats can be the result of a loss of psychological balance, hormonal failure, or some other imbalance in the body.

Psychogenic alopecia

The diagnosis of "psychogenic alopecia" is made to the animal with rapid hair loss. This condition is caused by prolonged stress or neurosis, which can occur:

• when changing the place of residence or owner;
• when another cat or a new family member appears;
• after being alone for a long time.

First of all, the inguinal region, abdomen, sides, and the central line of the back are deprived of wool. The exposed skin shows no signs of inflammation. Sedatives and antidepressants help to remove this condition:

• "Cat Baiyun";
• "Stop stress";
• "Amitriptyline".

More emotional breeds of cats are more susceptible to the disease - Siamese, Abyssinian, Himalayan.

Cushing's syndrome

Hormonal imbalance in the body can provoke a very rare disorder - Cushing's syndrome. It is caused by excessive production of the animal hormone cortisone by the adrenal glands. Its main symptoms are:

• hair loss;
• behavioral changes (sudden aggression);
• growing weakness;
• increased appetite and thirst.

Uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs can provoke the disease. For treatment, conservative and surgical methods are used:

• the drug "Trilostan", which suppresses the production of hydrocortisone;
• in the event that the symptoms are caused by a pituitary tumor, it is removed by surgery.

Severe disease may require surgical removal of the adrenal glands, then the animal will be shown hormone replacement therapy throughout life.

General rules for the treatment of skin diseases

Cats have sensitive skin, which is why they are more prone to epidermal diseases than other animals. The situation is complicated by the fact that many of them like to walk on their own, so their circle of communication cannot be somehow limited.

It is very important to carefully follow all the doctor's prescriptions and bring the animal to the clinic at regular intervals to control the dynamics of the disease.

Modern veterinary medicine has a rich set of medicines that can cope with almost any skin infection. If you do not miss the disease at the initial stage of its development, then it will not be difficult to cure it.

The skin performs not only protective functions, saving the muscles and internal organs from injury. This is a barrier to billions of pathogens that can undermine the health of a pet. Therefore, any skin disease in cats should be taken seriously: unhealthy skin is the gateway to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens of many diseases.

In addition to the protective function, the skin takes part in the synthesis of various vitamins, provides thermoregulation and removal of toxins from the body. Skin diseases in cats negatively affect overall health: immunity decreases, the functioning of internal organs and all systems worsens. Therefore, noticing any changes in the condition of the skin, whether it be ulcers in cats on the skin or a seemingly harmless rash, you need to contact a specialist.

There are dozens of skin diseases and hundreds of forms of their manifestations. Many are symptomatically similar so that even an experienced doctor does not immediately correctly diagnose the disease. Having noticed sores on the cat's skin, you can not rely on self-medication. You should not even try to treat your pet with complex ointments - this will only complicate the diagnosis. In addition, processing by any means makes laboratory tests ineffective - you will have to wait a week before the doctor can take the material for research. Do you have sores or sores on your cat's skin? We immediately go to the doctor, without treating the affected areas.

Common Skin Diseases in Cats

FUNGAL AND- the skin is inflamed, redness and change in structure (tubercles, furrows) are clearly noticeable. In a cat, in many (but not all) cases there is severe itching, which usually worsens in the evening. Sometimes the pet combs the skin until it bleeds, rolls on the floor and gnaws on the affected areas, as if trying to catch a flea. Wool falls out locally, bald patches are clearly defined. In the center of the bald patches, the skin is the most inflamed, at the edges it can look almost healthy. Treatment: support for immunity and a well-chosen remedy that kills the identified bacteria or fungus.

FLEA DERMATITIS is an allergic reaction to waste products and flea bites. In a cat, sores form on the skin within a few minutes after a bite - an itchy red seal. Hypersensitive cats are covered with a rash from head to tail, comb the skin to the blood, become nervous, lose their appetite. Treatment: ekzekan half a cube once a day / five days, flea drops.

ALLERGIC DERMATOSIS- a reaction to an allergen contained in food. In most cases, the cat scratches for a long time, but looks healthy. When the allergen accumulates in sufficient quantity for an obvious reaction, an itchy rash appears on the skin. In case of acute reactions, the rash appears immediately, swelling of the paws, lips, eyelids, and larynx may appear - in this case, you must immediately show the cat to the doctor. Treatment: the same exekan or analogue plus diet. Be sure to donate blood for an allergy test in order to know exactly which foods from the cat's diet should be excluded.

SEBORRHEA develops as a result of hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands. The coat already the next day after bathing looks dirty, the base of the hairs sticks together. The cat has crusts on the skin - exfoliated scales plus sebum. Sometimes the discharge forms foul-smelling bumps and growths. The treatment is complex: skin cleansing, diet change, soft degreasing of wool and skin. The cause of excessive sebum production may be hormonal imbalance or a chronic disease, so the pet must be examined completely.

OSTEOFOLLICULITIS- This is a purulent inflammation of the sebaceous ducts and glands. Many skin diseases in cats, from staphylococcus to seborrhea, can provoke this ailment: the sebaceous gland becomes clogged, pus accumulates inside, an abscess forms on the skin, which eventually bursts and dries up. Treatment depends entirely on the cause, which the veterinarian determines. You can not squeeze the pustules! If necessary, this will be done by a veterinarian under sterile conditions.

FOLLICULITIS- small pustules in the superficial layers of the skin. There are many reasons for the occurrence, but most often it is or penetrating into the smallest wounds on the skin of a cat (scratches, scratches, insect bites). Without treatment, it can turn into furunculosis - very painful purulent formations the size of a large pea. With folliculitis and furunculosis, the cat has yellow skin in the affected areas - pus accumulated under the skin is visible. Treatment is complex: diet change, immunostimulants, antibiotics, local treatment.

CARBUNCULOSIS- purulent inflammation of the adjacent sebaceous glands and hair follicles. At the initial stage, a small seal is formed, filled with pus. The pimple grows, inside it develops tissue necrosis. There may be several outlets - greenish-yellow pus flows out of them. Over time, the holes merge into one, forming a weeping painful ulcer. Without treatment, multiple cat ulcers on the skin can lead to the death of a pet! Treatment is complex: local treatment, antibiotics, maintenance therapy.

- skin infection of a bacterial nature (Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, etc.). At first, the cat scratches, then hard reddish lumps appear on the skin. Over time, papules increase and form, which open and dry out. Scabs on the skin of cats are adjacent to hard papules, ripening and opening pustules, a heavy unpleasant odor comes from the pet. Treatment is complex: antibiotics, immune support, diet therapy, local treatment.

ECZEMA- a chronic inflammatory process that develops for many reasons: allergies, stress, infections, diseases of internal organs, etc. It is often seasonal with exacerbations in spring / autumn. Dry and wet eczema are skin diseases in cats, in which it is necessary to carefully examine the pet. Symptoms range from itching and a pinkish rash to severe scratching, hair loss, or flaking of the skin.

SKIN CANCER- mutational changes in epidermal cells. Oncological skin diseases in cats can "mask" as dermatitis or furunculosis, look like small "harmless" bumps or age spots. Diagnosis is based on biopsy results.

Whatever the symptoms, a visit to the vet is a must. A change in the condition of the skin is often a sign of a disease of the internal organs, a chronic infection, a malfunction in one of the body systems, etc. systems.