Three Cat Skin Conditions
Feline skin problems are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your feline’s skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat’s overall health, so it’s important to be aware of it. Here’s a look at a few common feline skin diseases.
Ringworm
You’ve undoubtedly heard of ringworm, a skin problem caused by fungus. Cats that have long hair are particularly susceptible to this fungus. It is also more common for older or younger felines to be infected. The fungus that causes cat ringworm can easily be passed on to other animals in your house. Your cat can even pass it on to you!
This skin fungus frequently affects young, old, and long-haired although any cat can be affected. Symptoms include crusting, redness on the skin, and scaling. Some cats react to the fungus by over-grooming themselves which can cause hair loss. Treatment methods of this skin condition include oral medication, shampoo, or clipping the cat’s coat. You may also need to get rid of the fungus in the surrounding environment.
Acne
One of the next common cat illnesses is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat’s chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough.
If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat’s skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your feline is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids.
Cheyletiella Dermatitis
One of the last common feline skin diseases is Cheyletiella Dermatitis. This condition is caused by parasitic mites that can also be transmitted to humans. Your cat will likely experience various symptoms such as redness of the skin, small swelling spots, and dandruff. You may also notice large numbers of the white mites moving around on the surface of your cat’s skin. Treatment for Cheyletiella Dermatitis includes dips in pyrethrin, lime sulfur, or selenium sulphide based shampoos. You will also need to get rid of the mites in the environment through spraying and vacuuming.
These are some of the most common skin diseases that can affect your cat. You should always pay attention to your cat’s hair and skin. The condition of the skin and hair is a great indicator of your cat’s overall health. If you notice something is wrong, then you should take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you can.
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