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Cat Dermatology

Most cats will scratch on themselves on occasion but if you notice that the occasional scratch and regular grooming turns into a cat who appears uncomfortable,  skin problems may be present and you should schedule an appointment with one of the veterinarians here at Viera East Veterinary Center.

Excessive scratching, hair loss and a mildly frantic cat are signs that skin problems may be present and your feline friend needs medical attention. While skin problems are rarely an emergency, an uncomfortable cat will have trouble enjoying daily life until those symptoms are under control.

In comparison to dogs, cats typically require less care for their coats and skin. Dermatologic treatments in cats are much less common than in dogs. By performing a weekly brushing, you will be familiar with your cat’s coat and skin and will be more likely to catch any potential cat skin problems early on and bring it to the attention of your veterinarian.

Recognizing Cat Skin Conditions

So how do you recognize cat skin conditions? Here are some key signs to look for:

  • Hair loss is a common sign of cat skin problems. Have you noticed any bald patches? Is your cat shedding more than normal?
  • Excessive grooming can also indicate skin disease is present. If the grooming appears more frenetic and less relaxed than normal, it may be because your cat is pruritic (itchy) and uncomfortable.
  • While brushing your cat, if you notice any red, scaly, patchy, flaky, scabby or painful areas, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
  • Fleas and ticks are common parasites which may be found on the skin.
    • If your cat shakes his head excessively, this could indicate he may have a skin problem, or an issue with his ears including infection or ear mites.

Types of Cat Skin Conditions

The following are some types of common skin problems you should be aware of:

  • External parasites such as fleas can cause itchy skin and cat skin allergies. The cat will then scratch and bite and potentially cause secondary infections.  Cats will groom fleas off very effectively, but once the bite has occurred, the itch will start.
  • Ticks can attach to your cat’s skin causing a raised bump or cause localized swelling. The bump is the cat’s response to fight off the tick.
  • Mites, or ear mites, can produce itchy ears. This is more commonly seen in kittens. The cat will hold his head sideways indicating discomfort or scratch the ear(s) repeatedly. Cats can also have ear infections which need to be treated promptly by our veterinarian.
  • Cats can also develop polyps in their ears. A thorough exam includes an otoscopic exam of the cat’s ear canals.
  • Cats can also be prone to food allergies. Your cat can develop an “itchy face,” or itchiness all over.  Our veterinarian will determine if you need to change your cat’s diet. This will generally include a food trial and may require several attempts to rule out food allergy.
  • Contact allergies can also be present in cats. This is very similar to how people develop allergies to common substances in their environment.
  • Cat skin cancer. As in humans, cat cancer is a potentially life threatening condition. If you notice new or changing skin spots, make a veterinary appointment ASAP.
  • Cat acne. Some cats are prone to acne. While this may appear similar to a rash, the treatment of cat acne may involve prescription medication.
  • Cat dermatitis. Typically dermatitis is due to an allergic reaction to grooming products, food or environmental irritants.

Schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarian as soon as you see any of these symptoms. Sometimes it takes a while to diagnose the problem, the sooner we see it, the better.

Testing and Diagnosing Cat Skin Problems

 Veterinarians have many types of tests available when it comes to cat dermatology issues:

  • One common test is to collect some of the material in the ear and look at it under a microscope.
  • The vet can also take a small scraping of the hair follicles or the debris on the skin and look at it under a microscope. They will be looking for mites, yeast or bacteria or certain types of cells to determine the cause of the discomfort.
  • Ringworm is a common cat skin condition that can be transmitted to children or adults, so this is something that needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately.

There are many things the veterinarian will be looking at to determine what is the most appropriate treatment.

Treatments for Cat Skin Conditions

Getting a diagnosis from the veterinarian is the first step. It depends upon what we are dealing with and it may take time to get to the correct diagnosis and treatment.

  • If you are dealing with fleas, we will recommed a product for flea control.
  • If you are dealing with food allergies, we may have to switch your cat’s food.
  • You may also have to use an immune modulating medication to suppress allergic response in your cat.
  • Anti-itch medications may be used to make your cat feel more comfortable.
  • If ringworm is present, antifungal medication will be prescribed.
  • Some medications must be injected by a veterinarian while other medication can be administered by you at home.

It is important that you work with us to accurately describe the symptoms of cat skin conditions. Then, we will perform a thorough exam and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Schedule A Cat Dermatology Appointment

Schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians as soon as you notice any changes in your cat’s grooming behavior, excessive itchiness, or if you notice red, scaly patches on your cat’s skin. Cat skin conditions can quickly worsen becoming more difficult and costly to treat. Early detection and treatment is key in the fight against cat skin problems. Schedule an exam with a veterinarian from Viera East Veterinary Center by calling (321) 339-2250.

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