Cat Skin Disorders

Cat skin disorders are tricky to diagnose. Your veterinarian will look at four factors in making an initial determination.

Location of the Skin Problem

Shape of the Skin Problem

Color

Health of Your Cats Coat and If Any Hair is Missing

Cat Skin Disorders and Location

Identifying and Treating Cat Skin Disorders

Cat Scabies

Signs of scabies include the formation of skin problems at the face, ears and neck. Since diagnosis of this condition is difficult, treatment is started and if effective, a diagnosis of scabies is made.

Picture of Cat Mange (scabies)

Treatment for cat mange involves either a prescription dip such as a Paramite dip (an organophosphate) or Mitaban dip (Amitraz). Treatment takes from 1 to 6 months. A natural alternative to research is Dermisil for Pet Mange It does not require a prescription, is all natural and can be equally effective. They also make a product designed to kill any mites that are living in or outside your home that may be infecting your cat.

Ear Mites

Mites can live in your home or outdoors from 8 to 12 weeks. If you cat has a cat skin disorder caused by mites you will see areas of the skin that are very irritated and a thick reddish borwn crust. Other types of mites that cause cat skin disorders include Cheyletiella that cause a condeition cassed “Walking Dandruff” and Chiggers or (harvest mites). Chiggers appear in certain seasons such as the summar and autumn.

Treatment for mites involves either a prescription dip, selamectin (spon on), and ear drops if needed. You can also try a natural sulfer based dip such as Dermisil that does not require a prescription and mixes with your cat's shampoo so that it feels familiar. If your cat is suffering from itch your vet might prescribe a corticosteroid. Another approach is to use a lime sulfur dig

Treatment for these types of cat skin disorders is usually for 4 to 8 weeks.

Cat Skin Tumors and Cysts

If you see a single lump of bump that is growing then your cat can have a tumor or a cyst. Cats are prone to malignancy which means that the tumor is a neoplasm or mass of cells that is growing in an abnormal way.

Your veterinarian will take a sample of the tumor called a biopsy for examination in a laboratory to diagnose these types of cat skin disorders.

Picture of Cat Skin Tumor

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

If you see a discoloring on your cats nose or ear then it could be a type of tumor called a squamous cell carcinoma. White cats are particularly susceptible since this condition is usually a result to too much sun exposure.

Your veterinarian will take a skin sample in order to determine the exact diagnosis. Surgery is used to removed the area being analyzed.

Miliary Dermatitis

Cat miliary dermatitis is a condition associated with the allergic reaction to flea bites. It tends to form a pattern of scabs on the head and neck. The hair will look like some of it is missing along the neck. These types of cat skin disorders condition can also be due to bacteria or allergy.

Eosinophilic Plaque

Eosinophilic Granuloma

When lesions occur of the face, lips and mouth and the cause is not known.

Ringworm

This condition will cause round hairless areas in one or multiple places on your cat's body. The skin lesions are round with embossed edges; they appear as patches on the skin giving the impression of the hair having been shaved. It is also called fungal dermatitis and is caused by a fungus not a worm. It gets it's name from ringworm because of the shape of the skin disorder.

Picture of Cat Ringworm

Treatment options include an anti-fungal cream or prescription drugs such as griseofulvin, ketoconazole. Note that ketoconazole may have negative side effects, particularly causing problems with the liver. Treatments place directly on the skin sometimes do not work since your cat will be compelled to try and lick off anything that is applied.

Prefered methods of treatment are lime sulfer and shampoos with the ingredient miconazole. One all natural sulfur and shampoo treatment worth researching is offered by Dermisil for Ringworm We like the dermisil approach since the lime sulfer treatment is mixed with either your cat's current shampoo or the shampoo offered by Dermisil. This way the treatment feels familiar to your cat.

The condition could go away without treatment, although treatment will help quicken the time to recovery, particulary if you have a long hair cat.