| Skin conditions can cause your cat to become quite uncomfortable. Due to the fact the skin condition causes excessive scratching and itching in your cat it will lead to patchy hair loss, redness, scabs, and swelling. To see what kinds of options are available for your poor little kitty, be sure and check with your vet.
There are three very common skin conditions that affect cats. Most are very treatable with proper medical care. If your cat has itching and scratching, make an appointment with your vet to rule out more serious medical conditions. Fleas, allergies and illness can all cause your cat to have skin conditions.
Fleas
Fleas are the number one cause of itching and scratching in cats. Severe cases of fleas can cause irritation and can even lead to other problems such as intestinal worms and parasites. Most of the time, it is easy to tell if your cats are affected with fleas. Fleas are visible, especially on lighter colored cats. Fleas often hide on the underside of cats. Check under your cat’s chin, on the belly and under the thighs for fleas. Also, fleas can leave black droppings behind, so if you see what appears to be dirt on your cat’s chin or belly, chances are, he or she has fleas.
Fleas can be prevented. Your vet can prescribe a monthly treatment that is applied between the cat’s shoulder blades. These treatments can not only kill and sterilize fleas, but it can also kill the eggs and kill ear mites. Never think that fleas are only a problem for outdoor cats. Fleas can affect cats that are strictly indoor pets. Remember that fleas are very tiny and can come inside on humans or other pets that go outdoors.
When your cat is suffering from a skin condition due to fleas, to prevent further re-infestations, it will be necessary to treat your entire house. Fleas cannot live without a host, so it is important that you treat not only the bedding and places where your cat sleeps, but also the bedding, carpets, and rugs in your entire home.
Allergies
Just like humans, pets can be allergic to almost anything. Food allergies are the most common allergic reactions that cause skin conditions in cats. In addition, allergies that cause skin conditions can be caused from medications such as topical medications and household plants. Food allergies can cause a cat to suffer from hives or redness or swelling of the skin. Bumps and lesions on the skin can lead to excessive itching and scratching. Chicken and poultry and dairy products are all common allergies in cats. Cats should never be feed table scraps to help prevent allergic outbreaks. In addition, foods such as chocolate are toxic to cats and cats should never be allowed to eat it.
Topical medications and household plants can also cause allergic reactions in cats. Over the counter flea treatments are common causes for reactions in cats. Some cats can develop lesions that look very much like burns on their skin. Plants with oily leaves, such as rubber plants can also cause cats to have a reaction. If a cat rubs against or tries to eat some plants they can have severe allergic reactions.
Illness
Some cats with autoimmune disorders can have skin conditions. These illnesses can also include parasites and mites that cause conditions such as ear mites and mange. With any illness, you should always consult your vet. Your vet can test your cat’s fur and skin to see what is causing the illness and recommend an appropriate form of treatment. Skin conditions caused by illness can show up in many forms. Some cats may experience hair loss while others may have hives, bumps or lesions. Usually cats with skin conditions will scratch and this can cause bleeding and infections on the skin. Treatments usually include treating the illness first and then treating the skin condition. Your vet might prescribe medications such as topical solutions or might even recommend an injection.
Prevention Is The Key
When it comes to skin conditions, prevention is the key. The cat will not only feel better, with proper medical care and treatment, the cat will lead a healthier life. Ignoring skin conditions such as fleas can make your cat feel sick and uncomfortable and in the long run possibly lead to more serious issues. |