The skin diseases of cats occur regularly in felines of all ages, there is no specific age in which are more likely to suffer from one disease or another. Wounds, absence of hair, itching or lumps are some of the symptoms that should make us suspect the presence of a dermatological disease in our cat. It is important that we go to the vet, since some conditions can be contagious to people and many others could be complicated if they are not treated early.
If your cat has scabs, dandruff, skin wounds or hairless areas, keep reading this article on our site to discover the symptoms of diseases of the cat skin and its treatment.
Ringworm in cats
This is perhaps the best known and most feared skin disease in cats, as it is a condition that humans can also contract. It is caused by fungi that feed on the skin and is more likely to affect younger or sick cats because their defenses are not yet developed or are diminished. That is why it is common to find this skin disease in domestic cats collected from the street.
These fungi produce various lesions, the typical one being rounded alopecia The skin may be inflamed and itchy. For the diagnosis of these skin problems in cats, the Wood's lamp is usually used and the treatments will include antifungals.
For more details, don't miss this article on Ringworm in cats - Infection and treatment.
Flea bite allergy dermatitis
Dermatitis is another frequently occurring skin disease in cats. It occurs due to a reaction to the saliva of fleas. In allergic cats, a single bite is enough to cause lesions due to scratching in the area:
- Lumbosacral
- Perineal
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Neck
Now you know why "my cat has wounds on his skin" and it is that these symptoms tend to intensify during periods of higher incidence of fleas, although sometimes we do not get to see them. To avoid this skin disease in cats, it is essential that we implement a correct deworming schedule for all the animals in the house that includes the disinfection of the environment.
Don't hesitate to take a look at the following article on our site about Flea Bite Allergy in Cats.
Mange in cats
Mange in cats is another of the most common and feared skin diseases. The truth is that there are several types that exist, being notoedric mange and otodectic mangethe most common in these animals. Both pathologies are characterized by being localized, so that the symptoms are not shown throughout the cat's body, but in certain areas.
Also, mange in cats is another reason why you can say that my cat has skin wounds. The main symptoms of this type of skin disease in cats are:
- Itching
- Redness of some parts of the body
- Hair loss
- Wounds and scabs
In the case of otodectic mange, signs develop in the ears, showing an increase in dark colored earwax which may even cause otitis if left untreated. It is essential to visit the veterinarian to make the diagnosis and start treatment.
Feline psychogenic alopecia
This alopecia is one of the skin diseases in cats due to a behavioral disorder. The lack of hair is self-induced by excessive licking and grooming that occur because the cat is anxious for reasons such as moving, arrival of new members of the family, etc..
Alopecia can appear anywhere on the body where the animal reaches it with its mouth. In these cases, the treatments go through discovering the trigger of stress. We can consult with a ethologist or feline behavior specialist.
Another skin problem in cats is called telogen effluvium, in which, due to a situation of strong stress, it interrupts the cycle of the hair, which ends up falling suddenly when its formation restarts after overcoming this situation. The usual thing is that the hair falls practically all over the body. You don't need any treatment
You can find more details about this type of skin disease in cats in the following article that we recommend about feline psychogenic alopecia: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Feline Acne
This skin disease in cats consists of an inflammation of the chin and, sometimes, of the lips, which can occur in cats of any age. It is a skin disorder that is complicated by a secondary infection. Initially, blackheads are observed that can progress to pustules, infections, edema, enlargement of nearby lymph nodes and itching. The vet will prescribe topical treatment.
Dermatitis in cats
Another skin disease in cats is dermatitis. This dermatitis in cats is due to hypersensitivity reactions to different allergens, which cause this skin disease in cats that is characterized by inflammation and itching, also called atopic dermatitisIt usually appears in children under three years of age and presents with variable symptoms with signs such as:
- Alopecia
- Wounds
- Pruritus
There are cats that will also present a respiratory condition with chronic cough, sneezing and even conjunctivitis. The treatment is based on control itching.
Solar dermatitis in cats
This skin problem in cats is caused by exposure to the sun and affects the lighter, hairless areas, especially the ears, although it can also appear on the eyelids, nose or lips. It starts with redness, flaking, and hair loss.
If exposure continues, wounds and scabs appear, causing pain and scratching, which worsens the condition. In the case of the ears, tissue is lost and can degenerate into a squamous cell carcinoma, which is a malignant tumor. Direct contact with the sun should be avoided, protection should be used and, in serious cases, surgical intervention.
Injection-associated fibrosarcoma
Sometimes, both the injection of vaccines and drugs trigger a neoplastic process due to the irritating substances that these products may contain. In this skin disease in cats, an inflammation occurs at the injection site, causing a subcutaneous mass that is not painful to the touch, with hair loss, weeks or months after the puncture. If the disease progresses it can ulcerate. The treatment is surgical and the prognosis reserved.
For more details, don't miss this article on Vaccine Side Effects in Cats on our site.
Skin cancer in cats
There are more and more cases of cancer in cats and dogs due to multiple factors. For this reason, skin cancer is already considered another of the most common skin diseases in cats. Within this group, the most common skin cancer is the one known as squamous cell carcinoma and, on many occasions, it goes unnoticed until its condition is so advanced that there is little that can be done. This is why visiting the vet for regular check-ups is so important.
This type of cancer manifests itself in the form of wounds in the area of the nose and ears that do not heal completely. Thus, if we identify them in our feline, we will go to the specialist as soon as possible to determine if we are facing a case of cancer or not.
For more information see the following article on Skin Cancer in cats: symptoms and treatment.
Abscesses
An abscess is a collection of pus that appears as a lump. The size can vary and it is common for these lumps to be red and sometimes open, as if it were a wound or ulcer. It is not a disease per se, although it is a fairly common skin problem because it occurs as a consequence of an infection It causes pain and it is important to treat it to prevent the infection worsens and thus the condition of the abscess.
Although abscesses in cats can appear anywhere on their body, the most common are those developed in the perianal area, those caused by bites or dental.
Warts on cats
Warts in cats are not always indicative of the presence of a disease, since in most cases they are benign tumors No However, they can also be a sign of skin cancer or a product of viral papillomatosis Although this disease is not usually as common as the previous ones, it can occur. The virus that produces it is not the canine papillomavirus, but rather a specific one that only affects cats.
Thus, it enters the feline through lesions produced in the skin and begins to develop, forming a kind of dermal plates. In this way, what we see are not isolated warts, as it happens with dogs, but these plaques that show reddened, bulging and hairless areas.
Black scab on cat's nose
On the other hand, if you see a black scab on the cat's nose you should not be alarmed, as it may be a benign lesion. Still, there are other times it's due to:
- Scratches or wounds: as we mentioned at the beginning. If you have had a fight with another cat, this is the result.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is one of the most common skin diseases in cats, although this does not mean that they can appear on any other cat.
- Fungal dermatitis or allergic dermatitis: usually accompanied by alopecia and scabs. In addition, we will see how our cat scratches abruptly and insistently.
- Herpesvirus and calicivirus: the symptoms of these skin problems in cats are usually sneezing, runny nose and tearing, although that should not make us forget that they can cause cat flu and feline rhinotracheitis.
Skin diseases in Persian cats
All of the above skin problems can affect all breeds of cats. However, Persian cats, due to their characteristics and the crosses made over the years, are prone to a series of skin diseases. Thus, in this feline breed the following diseases stand out:
- Hereditary seborrhea: which can occur to a degree mild or intenseThe mild form appears from six weeks of life, with involvement of the skin and the base of the hair, pimples and abundant wax in the ears. Intense seborrhea can be seen from 2-3 days of life, with fat, scaling and a bad smell. Anti-seborrheic shampoos are used for its treatment.
- Idiopathic facial dermatitis: perhaps caused by a disorder of the sebaceous glands. It is characterized by a dark discharge that forms considerable crusts around the eyes, mouth and nose in young cats. The picture is complicated by infections, itching in the face and neck and, frequently, otitis. Treatment includes anti-inflammatories and symptom control.