Feline Skin Infection
Feline skin infection or pyoderma (infection filled with puss) can occur on any part of a cat's body including the nose, face and skin. Infections tend to be secondary, which means that they are caused by another condition. A common secondary cause is allergy such as cat flea allergy, or cat food allergy. Other causes include an internal disease (hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism), some type of skin gland disease (sebaceous gland problems ,or problem at the hair follicles), parasites (demodex canis causing mange mites) or some problem with a cats anatomy which predisposes the skin to infection such as skin folds."
Feline skin infection can occur in a variety of
forms, including both fungal and bacterial infections. Not every cat
skin disorder is caused by an infection, however; there can be other
causes of cat
skin problems. Infection often occurs when another condition
causes cat skin itch, which causes the cat to scratch and introduce
microbes into the skin, which results in infection. Many
types of infection are also highly contagious and can be passed between
cats.
If a cat has skin folds, or lip folds, this creates warm pockets on the
body which allows above average levels of bacteria to take hold
(colonize) and cause infection.
In general infections are treated with a combination of topical ointments, shampoos, conditioners and topical ointments. Note the ingredients that are required to treat your dog's specific condition and oral medications.
Diagnosis of Feline Skin Infection
The exact underlying cause of a feline skin infection will
need to be diagnosed by
your vet who can best distinguish one cause from another. In some
cases, your vet will be able to diagnose the
infection just by looking at it. In other cases, tests will be needed
in order to determine the exact nature and cause of the infection.
Tests may include examining the affected area under a special
ultraviolet light, taking a swab of any seepage from the area to be
examined under a microscope, and/or blood tests.
If the cat has scratched the skin so much that it has caused the area to develop a bacterial infection. In that case, the skin infection must be treated, but the underlying cause of the itching must also be determined and treated as well.
Treatment for a bacterial or fungal cat skin infection
primarily involves the use of prescription and over the counter topical
treatments as described below. Treatment is often a matter of
trying different products until the patient responds. Cats
with a mild problem can try a combination of an over the counter
medicated shampoo such as ClinicalCare
in addition to the use of a natural remedy described below.
In addition to specific treatments recommended by a veterinarian, the
use of homeopathic skin products could help to reduce the severity of
symptoms and speed healing. These are not a substituted for
specific therapies, but can help improve skin and coat condition. This
includes the use of skin cleaning products such as Clenzor
which prepares the skin prior to the administration of a topical
medication and topicals designed for specific problems such as Ring-Ex
for Ringworm. Once healing is under way, skin and coat health
can be supported with a remedy such as Skin
and Coat Tonic.
Feline Bacterial Skin Infection:
Feline skin infection caused by bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics. Minor skin infections are treated with topical antibiotics, while more severe cat skin conditions may require an oral antibiotic. Severe conditions may require 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. Antibiotics used include lincomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, chloramphenicol, cephalosporins, amoxicillin trihydrate-clavulanic acid, or ormetoprim-sulfadimethoxine.
Picture Feline Skin Infection caused by Mycobacterium
Infected areas should be kept clean, with the hair in long haired cats in particular clipped around areas that have deeper infections or puss (pyoderma). A natural cat skin product such as Clenzor can help keep the area as clean as possible during healing.
Superficial Bacterial Cat Skin Infection on Face
Feline Fungal Infection
Fungal infection can either be on the surface of
the skin or in the case of skin injury, the fungus has an opportunity
to penetrate further. Microsporum is a type of feline skin
infection cause by fungus that can affect both the skin and hair.
Picture Cat Skin Infection
Picture Cat Nose Infection Caused by Microsporum (fungus)
A veterinarian has a number of topical (applied to the skin) prescription products that can help to eliminate a feline skin infection caused by fungus. These come in many forms including dips, ointments, lotions, sprays and powders. The medication griseofulvin is commonly used. Skin infections that are on the body are often treated with the use of a lime sulfur dip such as Dermisil and/or an anti-fungal shampoo such as ClinicalCare.
Often treatment is experimental, with different products tried
until the condition is brought under control. The reason for
experimentation is that a variety of fungus may be resistant
to the product being used. The goal is trial and
error until a cure is found.
Cat Ringworm (dermatophytosis)
Ringworm is not caused by worms but is a form of skin infection. It is appears as a round red patch with a pale center. It is highly contagious and can be spread between people and cats.
Picture of Cat Ringworm
Kitten with Ringworm
Ringworm can be diagnosed with a fungal culture and examination of the culture under the microscope and an examination of the skin under a special light called a "Wood's lamp."
The extent of the fungal infection will determine the best course of treatment. Mild cases will only require some type of topical treatment (treatment applied directly to the skin). More advanced cases require a lime-sulfur dip such as Dermisil for Ringworm. The oral medication Itraconazole is also used. Your cat needs to be soaked in the dip down to the skin. It is considered to be safe and effective.
Natural remedies such as Ring-Ex which are formulated to support cats with ringworm in addition to cat dry and flaky skin, can help to speed healing and reduce the severity of symptoms by supporting the body's natural ability to fight disease. The use of a gentle skin topical to keep the skin clean such as Clenzor can also be of help prior to the administration of any prescription products.
Your veterinarian will retest your cat after 3 weeks and then again soon after to see if the ringworm has gone away. Treatment usually lasts for a period of 30 days including 2x treatments a week of the dip.
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References:
Scott, D. W., Miller, W. H., Griffin, C. E.
Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology
Feline Dermatophytosis: Screening, Diagnosis,
Treatment, and Environmental Management
S. Newbury
Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Center for Companion Animal Health
, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
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