We greatly appreciate the beauty and softness of the cat's coat. But dermatoses can mar that beauty.
The number one cause of feline dermatosis is parasite infestation, notably flea infestation.
The cat is susceptible to other more rare skin parasitoses. Including other forms of mange and lice causing miliary dermatitis and itching, cheyletiellosis producing seborrhea sicca, miliary dermatitis lesions, intense itching, and thick dandruff, which are transmissible to humans.
The bright orange chigger larvae settle into the folds of the skin, particularly of the cat's ear, in summer. Ticks and demodex (mites) also occasionally feed on cats.
Ringworm invades the skin and the hair. It is caused by a dermatophyte fungus, typically Microsporum canis. These two conditions are discussed in the section on prevention of dermatoses and external fungi.
This disease complex is characterized by a crusty rash and flaky skin that feels like fiberglass. It is typically caused by an allergic reaction to flea bites, but may also be associated with a number of other feline skin conditions.
Miliary dermatitis is not actually a disease, per se, but rather the manner in which a cat's skin reacts to various conditions. It is the most common skin disorder in cats. Apart from flea bites, possible causes include:- Inhalant allergies, such as hypersensitivity to mites in dust; unlike humans, who develop hayfever, the allergic reaction in cats takes the form of itchiness and a scabby rash;- Food intolerance or hypersensitivity;- Bacterial folliculitis: bacteria (commonly staphylococcus) accumulate in the hair follicles and cause infection. This is typically the cause of chin acne;- All skin parasitoses;- Allergic reaction to medications;- Malfunctioning of the immune system;- Contact dermatitis, etc.
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the condition. Common treatments that normally produce satisfactory results include antihistamines, corticosteroids, essential fatty acids, and possibly megestrol acetate.
Cats suffering from psychogenic alopecia and neurodermatosis groom themselves incessantly. They lick, clean, and bite at themselves all day long. Some shy cats, or those that have been scolded for constant grooming, often clean themselves only at nighttime or out of view of the owner. All breeds, including strays, are subject to this condition, but Siamese, Orientals, Burmese, and Abyssinians are particularly prone to the disorder. These are also the breeds that commonly suck and eat wool.
Once again, this condition is a disease complex, not a single disease. Many believe that it is purely stress-induced (possible stress factors being the introduction of a new cat into the household, loss of a loved one -animal or human- boredom, etc.). Others hold that it is exclusively an allergic reaction, and that the stress factors simply aggravate the condition. Hormonal causes seem to be rare, though they are often mentioned as a possible explanation. If an underlying cause is uncovered, it is typically (in order of frequency) an allergic reaction to flea bites, an inhalant or food allergy, ringworm, or parasites.
This hypersensitivity to one or more elements in food can develop at any age. It is difficult to identify the particular offending substance(s), but without identifying the specific cause, the condition will not improve. In addition to constant itching, a cat suffering from a food allergy may also present miliary dermatitis, scabs on the head and neck, and thickened, irritated patches of skin.
Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex
It is a group of skin disorders specific to cats. It produces lesions that develop and spread gradually. Examination of the lesions reveals an abundance of eosinophilic cells.
Eosinophilic granuloma complex can be divided into three different categories. The eosinophilic ulcer, or indolent ulcer, almost always occurs on the upper lip. The eosinophilic plaque is an oozing, often ulcerated, lesion that causes intense itching. It typically occurs on the abdomen and inner thighs. Eosinophilic granuloma lesions appear in relatively straight lines and are firm areas of hair loss, most commonly occurring on the backs of the hindlimbs.
The condition may clear up spontaneously in young cats, but older cats typically experience relapses and worsening of the condition. Some medications, including corticosteroids, offer some improvement of the lesions, but a definitive cure is elusive.
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