Cat Skin Disorders

" Cat skin disorders have multiple causes include parasites, infection, tumors and allergy. Diagnosis is based on a veterinarian taking a skin scraping or sample discharge. Treatment is specific to the underlying cause including the use of lime-sulfur dips for fungal infection and mites (mange), and prescription mediations formulated for the diagnosed cause. "

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

This condition is caused by Is a contagious disease caused by mites. Cats are infected by coming in contact with another animal. Mites cause severe itching in the affected areas.

Types of mites that cause cat skin disorders include Cheyletiella that cause a condition called “Walking Dandruff” and Chiggers or (harvest mites). Chiggers appear in certain seasons such as the summer and autumn.

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.  It has an added advantage of mixing with your cats shampoo, so that it will be more familiar to the cat during treatment.

It also important to disinfect the home with a product formulated to kill mites. One option to review is Benzarid. Also wash all of a cats belongings with a liquid detergent and vacuum your home thoroughly.

Cat Ear Mites

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are a common cat skin condition. Mites can live in your home or outdoors from 8 to 12 weeks. Kittens can contract the condition from the mother.  This condition is very serious as mites can move deep into the ear canal, causing an uncomfortable condition for the cat. 

If you cat has a cat skin disorder caused by mites you will see areas of the ear that are very irritated and a have thick reddish brown crust. Symptoms include itching of the ear, ear scratching and head shaking.  Inside the ear, you may notice a bad odor and what looks like coffee grounds.  There will also be some type of ear discharge that is brown in color and has a wax consistency.

A veterinarian tests for ear mites by removing some of the wax from the ear for examination. The mites are small white specs about the size of a pin head.  There are other conditions which are similar to cat ear mites, so be sure to see a veterinarian for a specific diagnosis.

Treatment starts with cat ear cleaning using a product such as Virbac. You can also make a home cat car cleaning solution using a solution of 3 drops white vinegar to 1 ounce water). Several drops of warmed olive oil and mineral oil can also be used to clean cat ears.  Do not insert anything into the ear or use a cotton swab, since this can force discharge deeper into the ear. Place several drops into the external part of the ear canal.  Massage the base of the ear, which will help any debris break fee.  Wipe any discharge with a cotton ball.  

After cat ear cleaning, you veterinarian will prescribe a medication that is formulated to kill mites (mitacide). These include products such as Mitaclear.  Other products used to kill ear mites includes Revolution for cats (selamectin).  

If you cat has Demodex cati mites, as described above for cat scabies, then a lime-sulfur dip such as Dermisil is used.

It is rare for cat ear mites to infect people.

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,  ear or toe 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.

Picture Cat Squamous Cell Carcinoma on Toe

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

Cat eosinophilic plaque usually occurs on the inside of the thighs and the abdomen. It is characterized by red raised lesions. Your cat may be tempted to like the sore red areas.

Eosinophilic Granuloma

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

Picture Eosinophilic Granuloma on Cat Lip

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.

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.

Preferred methods of treatment are lime surfer 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, particularly if you have a long hair cat.

Have A Question about a Cat Skin Problem or Have a Story That Will Help Others?

Do you have a question or story about a cat skin problem? Share it! We'll pick one question to answer each week.

If possible, please include a picture. Seeing the skin problem can help us improve suggestions made. Please include information such as breed, age, sex, history, changes in behavior, products used etc.

References:

Update on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Fleas and Mites
Prof. Dr. Ralf S. Mueller, DipACVD, FACVSc, DipECVD, FAAAAI
Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Germany

Ringworm Infection in Dogs and Cats 
R.A. Cervantes Olivares
Departmento de Microbiologia and Inmunologia, Laboratorio de Micología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, México.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine