Cat Skin Disease
Skin problems are among the most common types of disorders you will encounter with your pet cat. Your cat's general level of health can often be determined by the condition of its skin and coat. Skin conditions in cats run the entire range from temporary, easily treated irritations to chronic, life-long conditions that require constant treatment.
Skin diseases such as ringworm, mange, and lice infestation can be contagious. You can give emergency treatment for mange and lice by washing the affected areas with soap and warm water. Further treatment should be left to your veterinarian.
Ringworm is very contagious to humans as well as other animals, so you should wear rubber gloves while handling your cat until it is treated. You can clip away the hair around the infected areas and wash well with soap and warm water. There are oral medications you can give your cat for ringworm, although if it persists you should take your cat to the vet for further attention.
There are also a variety of other skin conditions that are not caused by parasites. These are sometimes difficult to treat, because it isn't always easy to determine the exact cause. Eczema has many possible causes, and may even be a side effect of a deeper disorder. Common causes of eczema include parasites, a bad diet, a hormone imbalance, or a vitamin deficiency. The symptoms of eczema include itching, scabs, dandruff, and a pus-like discharge. It's best to let your vet diagnose and treat this type of problem.
Believe it or not, it's possible for your cat to have a dandruff problem. This could arise from a diet lacking in enough fatty acids, parasites, or even too much bathing. You can groom your cat to get it clean, but that won't keep the dandruff from coming back over and over. It's best to see your vet if the dandruff persists.
After fleas, the most common skin problem that causes cats to itch and scratch comes from allergies. Your cat may have inherited a food allergy at birth, although signs of the allergy likely won't begin showing up until your pet is at least a few months old. The most common food allergies in cats are to chicken, fish, and beef.
One common symptom is if your cat's back and the scruff of its neck become covered with bumps and scabs. If you suspect your cat has a food allergy, it's best to take it to your vet, since diagnosis of various skin diseases can be complicated, often involving a series of tests.
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