posted by Tess on Oct 23
Cheyletiella dermatitis is commonly known as cat dandruff. Even though the itch caused by cheyletiella dermatitis is mild in nature, it compels the cat to scratch, which can lead to substantial feline hair loss.
Out of the three common species of cheyletiella mites, Cheyletiella blakei affects cats the most. This external mite lives on the outer layers of the cat’s skin and can be observed as white specks moving around scales. This gives the disease, cheyletiella dermatitis, its name ‘walking dandruff’. The back of the cat is most affected but the cheyletiella dermatitis may also appear around the head and neck.
Signs of cheyletiella dermatitis include formation of scales (dandruff), large number of mites moving on the skin, mild irritation, crusts and small papules. A good combing using a flea comb will help in detecting the infestation. In some cases a sample of skin scrapings may be needed for confirmation through microscopic examination. During self grooming cats may ingest mites. As mites are passed on undigested through stool they can sometimes be seen in the feces also.
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posted by Tess on Oct 22
Even though we do not spontaneously associate a particular body function with skin, it plays a significant role in the various functions of a mammalian body. Skin, the largest organ of the body safeguards the internal organs and muscles and protects your cat’s body against external pathogens. The hair coat is a part of the skin, which is composed of layers of epithelial tissue, blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is also one of the most vulnerable of all organs.
A cat’s skin can be damaged in a number of ways.
* Injury, especially during fighting with other cats.
* Erosion of skin due to friction and rubbing against a rough surface.
* Infections.
* Allergies.
* Secondary infection in response to injury.
* Immune mediated diseases.
Cats are very efficient in taking care of their skin. They use the antiseptic properties of saliva to cast off dead skin and debris and remove parasites that lay on the surface of the coat on their own. Cats also rub their skin against various objects to massage and activate oil-producing sebaceous glands to keep the skin moist.
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posted by Tess on Sep 4
Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.
Like dog skin problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.
Pruritus: The Itchy Cat
Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat’s skin. Constant itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the skin condition has caused the itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the skin lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline hair loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary dermatitis. Miliary dermatitis relates to appearance of multiple crusty lesions that are greasy and filled with cat dandruff. It can also lead to Eosinophilic granuloma complex, a condition where linear inflamed crusts are accompanied by oozing red areas near the chin and the trunk.
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posted by Tess on Aug 8
Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline acne.
Sebaceous glands are present in large numbers under the skin on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum of cats. Sebum secretions from these glands are primarily meant to protect hair against water and keep the skin supple.
Cats also have a tendency to mark their territories. Cats mark their areas by rubbing their chin, temples and the base of the tail against certain favorite objects. This behavior surfaces more evidently during feeding time. The evident sign of such ‘markings’ is the appearance of black greasy spots on the objects “marked”. And those cats that are more inclined to this marking behavior have a high levels of secretions and are more susceptible to feline acne.
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posted by Tess on Jul 30
From minor conditions like cat dandruff to malignant tumors, a cat’s skin can be a reflection of nearly all kinds of medical conditions. Itchy skin can potentially lead to feline hair loss, feline acne and lick granulomas. Treating skin disorders in cats, therefore, depends mainly on the underlying health condition of the cat.
Skin conditions that are caused by flea infestations can be treated by killing adult fleas in the cat. Preventing re-infestation needs a more thorough approach wherein the fleas are eliminated completely from the surrounding environment. There are new products available that act only on the receptors present in insects and are safe for cats as well as kittens.
Fungal infections on the skin caused by ringworm usually disappear on their own in healthy cats. Early treatment, however, is necessary so that escalation to other parts of the body can be prevented. Since ringworm is an infectious disease and can pass on to humans as well as other animals it should be treated as soon as the infection is noticed. Treatment is done through systemic oral medication or through topical application of anti fungal creams.
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posted by Tess on Jun 5
Cat and dog skin problems are a major source of discomfort to pet owners. They spoil the otherwise flawless coat of your pet and can also cause a fair amount of discomfort.
Many internal disorders that your cat may have can have symptoms like feline eczema. The veterinary medical term for feline eczema is military dermatitis. It is the skins reaction to infections, allergies and inflammation. Feline eczema is commonly known as ‘scabby cat disease’ or ‘blotch’ and is one of the common causes behind feline hair loss .
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common known cause of feline eczema. There are also other kinds of infections that infect the skin and lead to feline eczema. These are:
* Bacterial infection
* Fungal infection
* Yeast infection
* Parasitic infection
The allergies that can cause eczema in cats include:
* Hypersensitivity to flea bites
* Hypersensitivity to food items
* Atopy or contact allergies
Autoimmune disorders, hormonal disturbances, deficiency of fatty acids in diet and a fungus known as ringworm can also cause cat eczema.
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posted by Tess on May 31
Cats can have latent problems that are not always apparent if you are not a trained person. It is a good policy to keep yourself informed and educated about your pet and the problems that they may face. Information and knowledge can help in dealing with issues when and if they do occur.
Before you bring a cat home the first thing that you should do is to get the animal checked by a veterinarian. Many cats can have cat skin problems. Some infections like parasite infestations are contagious and can be passed on to other cats in your home. Some infections can even pass on to humans.
One of the common skin conditions in cats is feline acne. It usually appears like ringworm but is actually a skin and hair problem in cats. The symptoms of feline acne can mimic those of ringworm and therefore a trained hand is required to assess the exact condition that exists. Feline acne is commonly called chin acne as it almost always occurs on the chin and lips.
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posted by Tess on Sep 26
What is flea bite dermatitis?
Fleas are an extremely common parasite among dogs and cats. Some pets suffer very little from the bites of these creatures but a number of less fortunate pets develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to a severe skin reaction known as flea bite dermatitis. Fleas bite their host animal and suck the blood for nutrition, leaving saliva behind under the pet’s skin. Recent scientific studies have shown that flea saliva contains around 15 different allergens that can cause reactions in sensitive dogs and cats.
The common problem of flea bite dermatitis affects both cats and dogs of all ages, genders and breeds. In pets with this condition, the flea bites themselves generally become red, swollen and severely itchy. This leads to chronic inflammation and scratching of the skin as well as ongoing discomfort for your pet.
How do I know whether my pet has flea bite dermatitis?
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posted by Tess on Sep 22
What is ringworm?
Ringworm is a contagious skin condition occurring commonly in both cats and dogs and is actually caused, not by a worm, but by a fungus. Ringworm may cause various lesions on the skin and these are not always in the shape of a ring. You may notice your pet scratching at areas that look scaly and inflamed and, with time, the hair in these patches may be lost. Ringworm can look very similar to a number of other skin conditions including mange and allergic conditions, so if in doubt it is important to take your pet to a vet in order to be sure of the diagnosis.
What is the conventional treatment?
Usual treatment of ringworm involves use of anti-fungal shampoos or creams. In severe cases oral anti-fungal medication may be used but this has the potential to cause side-effects. Although in most healthy pets ringworm may resolve spontaneously after several weeks, treatment is necessary to speed this up due to the risk of infection of humans and other pets and the discomfort that this condition can cause to your pet.
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posted by Tess on Dec 8
What are some of the most common skin and coat problems in domestic pets?
Skin and coat problems are very common among domestic pets and appear to be on the increase. They include:
* Abscesses
* Skin odors
* Eczema
* Allergic dermatitis
* Contact dermatitis
* Dandruff
* Hair loss
* Warts
* Puppy acne
* Seborrhea
What are the causes of skin and coat problems?
Toxins are routinely eliminated through the skin, and skin and coat problems can often indicate a number of underlying concerns including toxin overload, anxiety, thyroid problems and a compromised immune system.
Other causes of skin and coat problems include:
* bacterial and fungal infections;
* fleas (some pets develop a hypersensitivity to fleabites)
* dietary allergies
* allergies to certain irritants (e.g. commercial pet shampoos)
What is Skin and Coat Tonic?
PetAlive Skin and Coat Tonic contains a combination of especially selected herbs, nutrients and biochemic tissue salts known for their tonic and healing effect on the skin and hair.
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