Common Cat Skin Disorders And Symptoms

Your cat might have itchy skin disorder if it scratches continuously and / or bite, lick its skin, and rubs against objects. Hair loss is another sign. There are conditions that adversely affect the appearance of the hair and coat. The symptoms can be impaired growth of hair and loss of patchy hairs in specific areas. The hairs may look healthy but may be brittle and coarse. There are also painful disorders like pyoderma. In this condition, you will find pus and other signs of infection. You may need to conduct a thorough examination of the skin and coat with the help of a vet.

Itchy Skin Disorders

Scratching, licking and itching through the back and tail are the symptoms of your cat having fleas. If there is severe itching around the neck, head, face and edges of ears, it may be due to head mange mites or scabies. This can be also a case of pyoderma. Walking dandruff or cheyletiella mange leads to severe amount of scaly dandruff over the back, sides and neck. It may cause mild itching. If there is itching and irritation around the ears, mouth and toes, it is a case of chiggers. Chiggers are difficult to find with colors of red, orange or yellow. If your cat is scratching and shaking the ears, it can be ear mites or ododectes. You will find waxy or purulent objects in ear canals. Ticks are large insects found on the skin. They are up to the size of a peanut. You can find them around the ears, between toes and back. It is a case of food allergy if your cat is scratching over the head, back, neck and has swelling in eyelids. In addition, it can be complicated by yeast problems. If you find small crusts and bumps around the head, back and neck, it can be a case of feline miliary dermatitis. It also can be related to fleas and pyoderma. It can be a case of inhalant allergy, if there is symmetric pattern of hair loss over the body.

Painful Skin Disorders

Feline acne are bumps that look like pimples on the edges of lips and on the underside of the chin. If you find pus filled blisters on stomach and the hairless places on kittens, it is a case of impetigo. If there is painful, inflamed or pus beneath the skin, it is a case of cellulites or abscess. This occurs mostly due to self-mutilation. The major causes are itchy skin, punctured wound or foreign body. Alopecia leads to hair loss because of endocrine disturbances, generalized illnesses and localized infections. It can be due to stress too. If there are bald patches with inflamed or red skins, it is a case of Alopecia. It is not a fatal disease. Proper treatment and medication would help a cat get back its hair.

Skin is the primary defense against any diseases for a cat. One should take proper care of a cat if it has skin problems. Most of the conditions can be treated if diagnosed in time. Since many of the disorders are caused by allergies, proper care will ensure the wellbeing of your cat. Consult a vet periodically to protect your cat from skin ailments.