Allergic dermatitis in cats - description of types. Feline atopic dermatitis

The first data on feline dermatitis, in which hyposensitization was detected, indicating the presence of atopy, appeared in 1982 (Reedy). Since then, it has been noted that atopy causes many Clinical signs in cats, and these signs give clinical picture hyposensitization.

Clinical signs of atopy

The predominant clinical sign in feline atopy is itching. In most cats, presenting signs result from self-trauma and commonly recognized clinical signs such as non-inflammatory alopecia, miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma complex (indolent lip ulcer, eosinophilic granuloma and eosinophilic plaque), scratching, sores and ulcers in the face and neck. and (in in rare cases) otitis externa ear canal. It is clear that these clinical signs are suggestive of atopy, but are not characteristic of it. There are many others possible reasons these signs (Table 1). Interestingly, alopecia is always observed in the affected areas. In this pathology in humans, it has been proven that aeroallergens in direct contact with the skin can aggravate atopic dermatitis. This problem has not been studied in cats.

Rarely encountered clinical manifestation atopy in cats is allergic asthma, and in a recent study (Halliwell, 1997) There are data on six cats with a presumptive diagnosis of asthma. In rare cases, affected cats exhibit multiple syndromes at the same time.

Diagnosis of atopy in cats

The diagnosis of atopy in cats is based primarily on medical history, physical examination, and exclusion of other possibilities such as infectious and allergic causes(see table 1). After excluding these diseases, specific allergy tests can be performed (see previous article). Intradermal testing is performed to confirm the diagnosis of atopy, but more importantly, it allows the identification of irritating allergens, thus expanding treatment options. Testing for IgE content in blood serum to confirm the diagnosis is questionable, since this research method gives false positive results.
The above review Halliwell in relation to the radioallergosorbent test in cats shows that the analysis of IgE determination in blood serum is valuable, since the hyposensitization carried out according to the results of this analysis gave a significant reaction. These data were obtained from a questionnaire sent by mail. The author currently uses intradermal allergy testing exclusively for cats because serum allergy testing companies have not yet published data to support their test results. In the absence of allergies skin tests one must rely solely on samples taken from blood serum to select allergens for hyposensitization.

Intradermal allergy tests

Methodology
Intradermal allergy testing is considered the most accurate of all sampling methods available, but it requires considerable experience to interpret the results. Allergens lose their potency over time, which is why new sampling kits need to be released regularly and old ones scrapped; Consequently, the financial practicality of this technique will depend on the number of patients a doctor has, and often these studies are carried out on a referral basis. An initial sampling kit is created every 4-6 weeks and stored in sterile glass allergen bottles. New syringes are removed from these vials every week and any unused allergens are discarded. In cats, one must additionally keep in mind the possibility of transmission of the feline immunodeficiency virus; For each animal you need to take new needles.

Intradermal injections in cats are technically more complex than in dogs and horses due to the thin skin of these animal species. To minimize the increase in cortisol levels in response to manipulation, the cat should be given sedatives. A combination of ketamine (5 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.25 mg/kg) intravenously or tiletamine-zolazepam works well (Telazol, A.N. Robbins, Richmond, W)(4 mg/kg) intravenously. Lateral part chest shave with a No. 40 blade and mark the injection sites with a waterproof marker. Then 0.05-0.1 ml of each allergen, a positive (histamine) and a negative control allergen (an allergen-solvent that contains 0.4% phenol) are injected intradermally.

To assess response to specific allergens, the following are used: degree of erythema, swelling, induration or induration, blister diameter, and appearance a protrusion like a cocoon at the affected area. Blisters are examined by palpation and visually. Erythema can usually be observed only on non-pigmented skin. A subjective comparison is made between negative and positive control data. All positive control results are scored as 4+, negative ones as O, and the remaining results are scored subjectively in comparison with the specified numbers.

The author first took skin test readings in cats in a darkened room, since the boundaries and height of the blisters are easier to observe with side lighting from a point light source. Skin test reactions in cats were assessed within 10-15 minutes after injections. This method requires experience and must be carried out under guidance qualified specialist. If the intradermal allergen extract is improperly diluted, false-positive or “irritant” reactions may occur. In cats, a study was conducted on the amount of allergen at which it did not cause an “irritating” reaction (Bevier; 1990) and it has been similarly used in dogs. The injection study used in humans has not been studied in cats. Some authors have proposed using a fixed lesion diameter to evaluate positive and negative controls, and allergen companies have developed "reactive probes" with circles adjacent to clear plastic "rulers" to allow easy assessment of lesion diameter. Thanks to this, it is possible to measure histamine-positive control data as only 1+ or 2+.

Interpretation positive results samples
Accurate knowledge of the important allergens and (in the case of pollen allergens) the timing of pollination of specific plants in the cat's geographic area is essential to the interpretation of sample results. Allergen laboratories, dermatologists (preferably veterinary dermatologists), local government departments, and plant nurseries can be contacted to obtain this information. Books describing regional plants, grasses and trees common in the area are available, but they are usually intended for botanists, so they do not only cover plants that cause allergic diseases.

When interpreting the results, the author considers positive reactions to known environmental allergens and all seasonal reactions noted in the medical history. When skin test reactions do not correspond to clinical and medical history data, one needs to think about the “allergy threshold” (this is the elusive level above which signs of allergy appear and below which the animal does not show clinical signs; e.g. domestic cat may be allergic to dust mites and pollen, but has no symptoms in winter). This cat may have previously been exposed to some allergens, which caused positive reaction, not corresponding real history diseases. To interpret positive test results, you need to carefully study your medical history and know possible allergens.

Treatment Options

Once a presumptive diagnosis of atopy has been made, the pet owner can choose from three treatment options. All three paths are quite long, since cure is not achieved through therapy. You can choose non-specific symptomatic treatment, such as corticosteroids, antihistamines and essential fatty acids, in this case it is not necessary to know the irritating allergens for that particular animal. Another option is to try to find specific allergens using allergy tests and, based on the test results, either avoiding the irritating allergen or, if this is not possible (or impractical), using “immunotherapeutic” or “hyposesensitizing” injections. It is possible to avoid some environmental allergens, such as feathers and lint (furniture upholstery), but this is not practical for animals with dust mite allergies unless the cats are housed outside the home. If the owner chooses hyposensitization, many cats will initial stage concomitant symptomatic treatment in the form of vaccine therapy (for several months) will be required. Lifelong desensitization may be required, although a small number of animals achieved clinical remission after several years of treatment, allowing desensitization injections to be discontinued.

Symptomatic treatment

Essential supplements are effective in treating itching in cats. fatty acids, antihistamine therapy and (if necessary) shampoos. Improvement may be observed even in animals that have not responded to high doses of glucocorticoids.

Essential fatty acids
The author uses an oil preparation for oral administration containing omega-3 fatty acids OMEGA-3 (BiochemicalVeterinaryResearch, MittagongNSW),*1 ml/7 kg orally every 24 hours. Other products containing omega-6 or both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are EFAVET-2, 1 capsule per cat orally every 24 hours (Efamol, Kentville, NovaScotia) and Dermacamps (liquid), 1 ml/9 kg po (DVM) - these are also effective in the treatment of miliary dermatitis in cats.

Antihistamines
In the author's experience, antihistamine therapy is always prescribed in combination with essential fatty acid supplementation. Cats are prescribed two to three 10-day courses of various antihistamines (Table 2). The choice of specific medications and how often to take them depends on the cat's body weight and its response to treatment. These antihistamines are taken sequentially with a 4-day break to allow clinical improvement to be determined for a particular treatment. Improvement may be occasional, in which case there will be no relapse when antihistamines are stopped.

* Omega-3 components per 1 g: eicosapentonic acid, 112.5 mg; docosahexanoic acid, 75 mg; cis-linoleic acid, 70 mg;<7/-альфа-токоферила ацетат, 1 мг.

Glucocorticoids
When administering glucocorticoid therapy, it must be kept in mind that cats require higher doses of glucocorticoids to produce an anti-inflammatory response than dogs. Although cats are relatively resistant to the development of hyperadrenocorticism, they can develop iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, pancreatitis, and liver disease. Glucocorticoids are prescribed in combination with hyposensitizing drugs in anti-inflammatory doses. Prednisolone is administered at 1 mg/kg orally every 12 hours, and this interval is gradually increased to 48 hours or even twice a week. The author uses methylprednisolone acetate (20 mg/cat subcutaneously) as a last resort for cats that do not respond to prednisolone in combination with essential fatty acids and antihistamines or that are difficult to administer oral medications. It is not recommended to perform more than two injections within 4 months. There are known cases of the development of diabetes mellitus even after a single administration of the drug.

Prevention
Allergens that can be avoided include the following:

Household dust mites - try to keep the animal outdoors in a well-ventilated and enclosed area (but not in a dusty barn or outdoors).
Wool - remove woolen items from the pet's habitat (difficult to achieve in homes where carpets are 100% wool).
Fluff - limit the animal’s access to rooms with things filled with fluff or remove them.
Tobacco - Owners need to stop smoking.
Feathers - Replace feather pillows with synthetic filling or limit pet access to these rooms.

Pollen and mold spores are aeroallergens and can be difficult to avoid. Some cats can be kept indoors during pollen blooms to avoid direct contact with plants, which helps reduce allergy symptoms. However, even those cats that are constantly indoors cannot completely avoid contact with wind-borne pollen. Keeping cats with allergies to pollen, mold spores, or house dust mites indoors will reduce their exposure to pollen but increase their exposure to mold and dust mites. In these cases, home confinement does not provide clinical improvement.

Allergenic hyposensitization
Hyposensitization is an effective alternative treatment for cats. The efficiency rate ranges from 60 to 78%. Before preparing an allergen vaccine, irritating allergens must be identified. One double-blind study compared hyposensitization in dogs with atopic dermatitis using a standard mixture of allergens and allergens selected based on positive skin tests. (Willemse, 1993). The assessment was based on the degree of itching and the extent and severity of dermatitis. In the group treated with a "standard" allergen mixture (containing dust mites, dander and local grasses), the improvement rate averaged 18%, while 70% of animals in the group treated with hyposensitization with using allergens based on the results of skin tests, the reduction in symptoms was more than 50%. In a previous study by the same author, a 20% response was observed in atopic dogs treated with placebo (Willemsee et al., 1984). These studies showed the importance of careful research and selection of allergens when preparing an allergenic vaccine. Additional studies conducted in dogs and in humane medicine showed that sensitivity to allergens occurred after they were administered to previously unsusceptible patients. These data are important when creating an allergenic vaccine based on a “group allergenic serum” sample. In a group allergen test, a number of different allergens are placed together in a sample well (see previous article). One, several, or all of the allergens sampled from this well may be reactive, but there is no way of knowing. The author of this article would rather not include an allergen in the vaccine than to include an allergen to which the cat is not currently allergic and risk sensitizing it. Thus, research into specific allergens becomes very important. If you are faced with the choice of getting a result from a group test or no test at all, you need, as always, to carefully select allergens depending on the time of year and the environment.

In addition to the previous criteria, the actual degree of reactivity, or the numerical data of the sample, is also of great importance. One study compared the effectiveness of hyposensitization in dogs with strong and weak responses. In dogs with 1+ pollen reactions, the degree of reactivity was only 32%, and in animals with 3+ and 4+ pollen reactions, it was 60%. The author prefers 2+, 3+, and 4+ reactions based on successful hyposensitization in patients who have only had 2+ reactions, but there are other authors who limit their choices to 3+ and 4+ grades.

There are numerous recommendations for hyposensitizing treatment, and it is difficult to decide which one is preferable. Although good control data are lacking, there is some evidence to suggest that increasing the protein nitrogen units (PNU-pro-teinnitrogenunits) and the total number of allergens in the vaccine may improve the effectiveness of the treatment. The recommendations used by the author are shown in Table 3. Injections are given subcutaneously, and pet owners are given the opportunity to perform the injections themselves at home. Common side effects such as increased itching and exacerbation of dermatitis are explained by overdose, and if they occur, you should consult a veterinarian. A rare side effect is anaphylaxis. The risk of anaphylaxis is explained to the owner before treatment is started and written instructions are given to ensure that the owner can administer the injections themselves, do not leave the cat unattended for 30 minutes after each injection and can seek veterinary assistance if necessary. For convenience, insulin syringes with atraumatic surgical needles No. 27 are used, and “0.1 ml” is considered equal to “10 units”. It is recommended that cats with asthma be admitted to the hospital for observation on the day of injection (the author has never had problems treating cats with asthma, and has not heard of other dermatologists encountering them, but asthma can nevertheless be life-threatening for the animal).

Clinical response occurs 1-8 months after the start of treatment. Reduction of itching and dermatitis by more than 50% is considered satisfactory
reaction. It should be emphasized that, regardless of the recommendations chosen, it is necessary to carefully monitor the reaction of a particular animal to these instructions. During hyposensitizing treatment, changes in the dose and frequency of injections may be necessary. In the author's clinic, the following situations often occur and the following actions are taken.

A. The cat will experience itching for several days after the injection. This itching soon goes away, but returns again after the next injection.
On the morning of the injection and for 1 to 2 days after, give the cat antihistamines (see Table 2) or prednisolone 1 mg/kg orally every 12 hours if the cat is not already receiving it.

B. Itching intensifies throughout the course of treatment without any obvious change in its symptoms in relation to injections.
Stop injections for 2 weeks to determine whether the itching is related to allergen injections, an accidental exacerbation of the disease, or a secondary infection. If there is an incidental or concomitant infection, the cat will remain itchy and will require more intensive additional treatment; if the itching goes away, resume allergen injections, but in smaller doses. If the itching recurs, repeat the entire procedure - stop treatment, wait until the itching disappears, and then resume treatment in smaller doses.

B. The cat continues to have recurrent itching despite increasing the allergen injections indicated in point B.
Some cats do not require a "maximum" dose. Clinical signs of the disease can be controlled with a dose of 0.1 ml administered once a week. This was established through trial and error and exchange of opinions with animal owners.

D. The cat feels well before the injections are started once every 3 weeks, after which it begins to show signs of illness, which disappear after the injection, but reappear 1-2 weeks before the next injection.
This is a good sign - start injecting again 1 or 2 times a week. Use 0.3-0.5 ml weekly and 0.7 ml every two weeks as initial alternate doses.

D. The cat at 32 weeks has no clinical reaction to the injections.
This cat needs a complete re-check. In some animals, the reaction to hyposensitization may occur only after 8-12 months; other animals do not respond to it at all or the itching and its clinical manifestation are complicated by secondary infection or increased sensitivity to flea bites. All these factors must be carefully assessed at this stage.

And a physical examination is necessary. In addition, any previous signs of the disease must be addressed.

There are many reasons for interrupting allergen injections, but if the owner decides to interrupt hyposensitization, it will be difficult for him to resume injections. After this, the cat will require lifelong administration of symptomatic medications. This can be avoided by carefully monitoring the animal's condition. The reasons why pet owners interrupt hyposensitization are as follows.

Impatience - why doesn’t it still help? This gives rise to the thought that “the drug doesn’t work and will never help my cat, so I don’t want to waste time at the moment.”
Personal busyness - the owner does not have time to remember everything, it seems to him that he has mixed up the treatment regimen, and therefore he will have to start all over again (and, possibly, pay for treatment again).
Taking care of your pet - Some owners believe that they should not give other medications at the same time. Thus, the cat is left without any treatment (because many cats do not benefit from allergen injections during the first few months), and the disease progresses. The owner cannot bear to see his pet suffer and turns to alternative drug treatment and stops administering the vaccine.
The owner may forget how bad the animal was before treatment and believe that the treatment has failed, when the veterinarian considers the treatment a success. The author always carefully records the degree of itching and the medications used at the time of treatment. In addition, during the course of therapy, the owner’s attitude towards the result of treatment may change. The animal may show partial improvement, while the owner would already like a complete cure.

It is better to avoid such reasons for interrupting therapy; to do this, you need to give the owner detailed written instructions, inform him by phone and call him to the clinic for a consultation. Doctor visits are indeed an essential part of desensitization recommendations. The author recommends seeing a doctor around the 32nd week of a 42-week course of treatment; at this time, the cat receives 1 ml of the drug from a bottle three times larger, and she is given 3 injections with a 3-week break. Other dermatologists recommend an initial “hyposesensitization check” at 16 weeks.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory and itchy skin disorder thought to be caused by an inappropriate response of certain antibodies to environmental allergens. The signs of such dermatitis are variable, since atopy is often complicated by adverse reactions to food and secondary infections.

Causes

Most cases of atopic dermatitis are due to increased sensitivity to airborne allergens. Previously, they were called inhalation agents, the modern name is aeroallergens, since they enter the body mostly through the skin, and not through the lungs.

These include:

• microscopic house dust mites (Dermatophagoides faninae) are the most common cause of non-seasonal dermatitis;
• pollen (reaction only during the flowering season);
• molds;
• dander of humans and other animals.

However, in some animals the listed irritants cause inflammation of the skin, while in others they do not. The immediate cause of atopic dermatitis in a cat is hereditary disorders of the immune system and defects in the protective function of the skin.

When the skin is not an effective barrier, allergens can enter the bloodstream and infections can easily occur. In cats with atopy, bacterial and yeast flora multiply excessively on the surface of the skin, which is present normally in healthy animals and does not cause problems. This is why atopic dermatitis is often accompanied by severe seborrhea or pyoderma.

Symptoms

Signs of atopic dermatitis can vary and can only be diagnosed by a qualified veterinary dermatologist. Damage is possible in cats of any breed and crossbreed, although high-breed animals are more often affected. Symptoms usually appear between 1 and 3 years of age, no earlier than 5 to 6 months of age, and never after 7 years of age:

• itching: from mild to intense, occurs gradually;
• lesions mainly on the face (lips, chin), paws, stomach;
• itching does not stop after treatment or returns soon after discontinuation, but is well relieved by corticosteroids;
• various skin changes caused by self-harm: granulomas from licking, scratching and wounds, areas of wet eczema;
• inflammation of the ears (external), redness of the skin around the eyes;
• greasy skin, severe flaking (dandruff);
• plots .

If skin inflammation is chronic or recurs for more than 2 years in a row, this is a reason to suspect atopic dermatitis.

Diagnostics

There is no test to confirm the diagnosis of "". Atopic dermatitis is registered in an animal after excluding all other possible causes of skin inflammation. Sample list of differential diagnoses:

It is important to understand that one diagnosis does not always exclude the other: a cat can have both flea infestation and atopic dermatitis.

Diagnostic tests are then carried out. The diagnosis is confirmed by a positive result of an intradermal test with an immediate (within 10-20 minutes) reaction to environmental allergens.

The skin test technique is very important for diagnosing atopy:

• Corticosteroids should be discontinued at least 3 weeks before the study.
• If the cat is experiencing severe pain, cortisol will interfere with the results, so sedation is usually required.
• If the reaction to histamine is mild, it is better to repeat the test after 2-4 weeks.

The list of allergens (10-20 items) is selected individually for each patient, depending on the region and living conditions. It can be:

• microscopic dust mites;
• human and dog dandruff;
• mold;
• flea saliva;
• bird feathers;
• plants: cereals, plantain, wormwood, dandelion, nettle, birch and others.

Histamine and a neutral diluent are used as controls.

The skin test may be false-positive or false-negative, so the results are assessed in conjunction with clinical signs and response to treatment.

Treatment

It is impossible to completely cure atopic dermatitis, since skin disorders are congenital. You can only try to control the degree of manifestations.

Treatment of secondary complications

First of all, it is necessary to suppress the excessive growth of microorganisms on the skin:

• fungi;
• bacteria.

They are also actively fighting against external otitis media.

Avoiding allergens

If the irritant is known, prevent the cat from coming into contact with the allergen. This is possible very rarely, for example, with an allergy to bird feathers or pollen. If you are sensitive to microscopic dust mites, you can reduce your exposure by cleaning the area:

• Bedding is replaced with hypoallergenic ones made of synthetic materials.
• Get rid of carpets, books, soft toys.
• Frequent ventilation and regular use: vacuum cleaner with a water filter.
• A special device is installed - air washing.
• Frequent washing of curtains, beds, bedspreads.
• The use of anti-mite drugs (a combination of pyriproxyfen and permethrin) to treat the apartment.

Local treatment

Although washing with special products helps remove allergens from the skin and restore the epidermal barrier, the procedure is very stressful for cats.

1. If the owner regularly treats the pet, the doctor prescribes various shampoos with antimicrobial and antipruritic effects.
2. Preparations containing ceramides can restore the barrier function of the skin, so they must be included in the treatment regimen. For cats these are Allerderm Spot-on drops. The drug is applied to the skin, spreading the fur, evenly distributed along the back from neck to tail. At the beginning of treatment, the dermatologist may prescribe 2-3 droppers per week, sometimes even daily use. In the future, they switch to treatment once a week, and during remission - once a month.
3. For local manifestations of atopic dermatitis, local corticosteroid preparations are used instead of systemic administration. Cortavance spray (hydrocortisone aceponate) shows excellent results.

Systemic treatment

Various drugs are used depending on the effect to be achieved.

• To combat bacteria, antibiotics are given in repeated courses of 2 weeks, plus another 1-2 weeks after visible improvement.
• Corticosteroids (prednisolone) and cyclosporine are used to combat itching. The amount is selected individually, up to the minimum maintenance dose. Ideally, they start taking medications every other day. The effect of steroid hormones is only temporary.
• Conventional antihistamines do not always eliminate itching, so they are rarely used in cases where good contact has been established between the owner and the attending physician.
• Essential fatty acids have a good effect on skin condition. They use special feed with a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 close to 5:1. As an alternative to industrial feeds, diet supplements high in Omega-3 fatty acids are used.

Immunotherapy

The so-called allergy vaccine is used if medications are not effective or cannot be used due to side effects. If the skin test is positive, allowing the identification of a specific allergen, it begins to be administered subcutaneously, increasing the dose.

Improvement from immunotherapy is observed in approximately half of the animals, and does not occur immediately, but within 4-12 months. The duration of such treatment is at least 2-3 years.

Conclusion

Cats and female cats diagnosed with atopic dermatitis should be diagnosed because the disease is hereditary.

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Atopic dermatitis in cats can occur even from a minimal amount of a substance that is dangerous to the cat and provoked an allergy.

It is impossible to completely isolate a pet from dust, from flowering plants and other manifestations of the environment, so the owners have to spend their entire lives treating meowing pets for this disease. It is important that cats do not have a breed predisposition to atopic dermatitis, and the age of the animal also does not affect the occurrence of allergic reactions.

Dermatitis in dogs and cats occurs for the same reasons. Experts cannot determine the root cause, however, we can safely say that the causes of dermatitis are associated with the reaction of the skin or body to a local or general irritant. Dermatitis in cats can have infectious and non-infectious causes.

Infectious causes:

Non-infectious causes:

• immune system disorders;
• allergies to dust, food, shampoos;
• reactions to medications;
• stress;
• hormonal changes (hyperthyroidism, diabetes);
• lack of proper hygiene;
• microtraumas, wounds.

It will not be possible to find out the cause at home. To do this, you will need to pass all tests on the animal, which will be collected by a doctor at the hospital.

Veterinary reference book - about dermatitis in animals.

It is worth noting that a person can also develop atopic dermatitis. The first and main cause of this disease is the genetic predisposition of certain breeds of cats. As a rule, manifestations begin at 8-9 months of the animal’s life.

In some cats, manifestations of atopic dermatitis begin during puberty. Therefore, scientists suggest that sex hormones also somehow influence the development of the disease.

According to the nature of origin, dermatitis is:

Mechanical tissue damage, characterized by bruises, scratches, bedsores or minor wounds, manifests itself in the form of traumatic dermatitis.

Perfumes, disinfectants, household chemicals, pollen, ordinary dust, food ingredients, medications are the most common triggers for the development of allergies that furry fidgets face.

Mechanical tissue damage, characterized by bruises, scratches, bedsores or minor wounds, manifests itself in the form of traumatic dermatitis. If pathogenic microflora begins to develop at the site where the integrity of the skin is damaged, traumatic dermatitis becomes a more severe form - purulent or infectious dermatitis.

Manifestations intensify in the warm season, but relapses are possible in winter (entry and basement fleas).

Worms injure the mucous membranes of internal organs, secrete poisons, die and decompose, releasing toxic substances.

Any fungus and any bacteria, regardless of pathogenicity, can cause dermatitis due to hypersensitivity. Signs are individual, from general skin lesions to small reddened and itchy areas. Bacterial and fungal dermatitis often occur in a latent or chronic form, with vague, unclear symptoms and relapses “for no reason.”

This disease in itself rarely causes concern to owners - just think, dandruff is falling off. But dandruff is a signal that the sebaceous glands are not functioning properly.

If the pet's skin is sensitive or if the pet has suffered severe stress (illness, nervous shock), banal seborrhea turns into seborrheic dermatitis - chronic itching, redness of the skin throughout the body (especially in places of anatomical bends, in folds), a heavy unpleasant odor appears, the fur sticks together icicles or becomes brittle, dull and dry.

To get rid of seborrheic dermatitis, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Special shampoos and solutions will help (only after consulting a doctor, as an incorrectly selected shampoo will greatly worsen the situation). Introducing vitamin A and fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6) into the diet helps.

The causes of miliary dermatitis in cats can be completely different.

The causes of such rashes can be varied, and sometimes it is not possible to immediately identify and eliminate them. Their localization is generally independent of etiology, and dermatitis can affect local areas of the body or spread to a greater or lesser extent throughout the cat’s body.

Miliary dermatitis can be triggered by various factors, both the external environment and the individual characteristics of the body.

A veterinarian will help determine the exact causes of the disease.

At the same time, allergic reactions can be of three types: a reaction to flea saliva, an allergy to some food component and atopic dermatitis, that is, one that is caused by some factor from the external environment.

What are the causes of dermatitis in cats? What can cause skin inflammation?

Thermal causes

Dermatitis in cats is caused not only by high temperatures, but also by low temperatures. Yes, the most common ones are hot objects/liquids and sun rays.

But don’t forget about frostbite. Both cold and excessive heat lead to dermatitis.

Even a short stay in the sun leads to dermatitis or even burns appearing on bare or poorly covered areas.

Sensitive cats are prone to developing skin diseases and often experience an allergic reaction.

Here are the main reasons for the development of the disease:

It is no coincidence that we mentioned Aujeszky’s disease above: at first, the cat begins to literally gnaw and chew its limbs. At first, the attacks are rare, but gradually they become more frequent, the animal gnaws itself until it bleeds, severely tearing the skin. Please note: such phenomena are divided into seasonal and non-seasonal.

If a cat begins to “tear and throw” in the summer or spring, then he is lucky. Most likely, he is allergic to the pollen of some plant. Although theoretically, it is still possible to identify a specific substance and isolate your pet from it. In the case when the disease progresses all year round, the problem may be in the food, the animal may develop an allergy to fleas, dust mite secretions, or its body produces an abnormal reaction to the components of household chemicals, in short, there may be thousands of reasons, identify the “needed “allergen can be very difficult (or even completely unrealistic).

Soon, alopecia, that is, areas of baldness, appears on various parts of the cat’s body. The skin there looks absolutely normal, the hair along the edges of these zones (attention, this is important) does not break off or fall out. And this is important because the first signs of lichen appear in the same way, only with dermatophytosis the hairline becomes fragile and brittle. The most commonly affected areas are the armpits, neck, facial part of the muzzle, abdomen and genital area. That is, the places where the skin is thinnest and most delicate.

Eosinophilic granuloma often develops, ulcers gradually appear on the skin, and a progressive inflammatory reaction begins. The affected areas are quickly contaminated with pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, and foci of suppuration appear.

Before you can figure out how to treat an animal, you need to make an accurate diagnosis. It is impossible to do this based on symptoms alone. Because they are extremely similar in all types of allergies.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis:

• scratching;
• skin redness;
• rash.

Eosinophilic granuloma often begins to develop, ulcers appear on the skin, and extensive inflammation begins, progressing every day. At the site of the ulcers, suppuration appears, caused by the accumulation of pathogenic microflora.

Types of flea dermatitis

Types of dermatitis:

1. Miliary dermatitis in cats it can be caused by flea or tick bites, as well as allergies to certain foods. The main symptoms are severe itching and flaking of the skin.
2. Seborrheic dermatitis in cats. Seborrhea is accompanied by severe itching and the appearance of dandruff, first only along the ridge, and then throughout the body. Inflammation and an unpleasant odor appear from the animal due to increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
3. Allergic dermatitis in cats. The animal suffers from severe itching, itches heavily and tears the skin. Allergies can be to food, chemicals, insects.
4. Food allergies in cats. Food dermatitis is a reaction of the body to certain foods. The accumulation of protein in the animal’s body most often causes allergic symptoms (meat, eggs, milk). There may also be an inadequate reaction to the introduction of new foods (for example, fish, shrimp).
5. Atopic dermatitis in cats. Main symptoms: itching, redness of the skin, small ulcers. Atopic dermatitis occurs as a result of pet contact with an irritating substance.
6. Contact dermatitis in cats. This type of disease is different in that only that part of the body that has been in contact with the aggressive environment is affected. These can be shampoos, soaps, household chemicals.
7. Bacterial dermatitis. It begins its development due to damage to the animal’s skin by pathogenic microorganisms. These could be bacterial infections or fungi. In the bacterial or fungal form, the disease often occurs with vague symptoms and frequent relapses.

Often flea dermatitis in cats is associated with an inflammatory disease such as eosinophilic granuloma in cats. If you do not pay attention to changes in cat behavior, the animal may experience serious complications.

Flea

Locations of flea dermatitis

Allergic

The body's reaction to the action of an allergen often leads to the development of dermatitis. In this case, redness, swelling and soreness of the skin are noted.

The animal has papules, pustules, and blisters. Redness is often found in the groin and abdomen.

The most common problem veterinarians encounter is food allergies. This type of dermatitis is characterized by redness and swelling of the skin. In severe cases, domestic cats can develop life-threatening angioedema.

Atopic

The allergic type of dermatitis is atopic. This form of the disease is hereditary in nature and manifests itself in animals aged from 10 months to 2.5 - 3 years.

Contact

A feature of this type of dermatitis in domestic animals is the localization of the inflammatory reaction at the site of contact of the skin with an aggressive substance.

Most often, such agents are acids and alkalis, detergents, ointments, pastes, and creams. The animal experiences non-periodic itching.

Bacterial

Infectious dermatitis caused by pathogenic microorganisms occurs in domestic cats most often in a chronic form. Based on the clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process, veterinarians also distinguish between dry and weeping bacterial dermatitis.

Weeping bacterial dermatitis

Unlike other types of the disease, the bacterial form is characterized by the preservation of fur in areas of inflammation. With dry dermatitis, the owner discovers crusts and scabs under the fur. In the weeping form of the disease, erosions are observed on damaged skin.

However, if not treated correctly, acute dermatitis in a cat can easily turn into chronic. In this case, all symptoms of the disease in your pet will disappear on their own.

But at the same time, in the future they will constantly appear during relapses. Chronic dermatitis is much more difficult to cure than acute dermatitis.

Feline dermatitis is a skin disease that is usually a symptomatic manifestation of other ailments.

Based on their manifestation, the following types are distinguished.

Wet or weeping

With this skin lesion in an animal, the affected areas of the skin become wet, liquid (ichor or pus) oozes from them, and the hair falls out.

Purulent

This type is characterized by the formation of small or extensive ulcers and scratches on the skin, into which infection penetrates. As a result, pus flows from the inflamed areas. Due to the fact that during inflammation the sensitivity of the skin increases, microorganisms very quickly penetrate into the tissue and multiply. As a result, the infection spreads like lightning throughout the entire skin.

Surface

The mildest form, in which the skin turns red and may develop a small rash.

Based on their occurrence, they are divided into two groups:

1. Simple - is the result of exposure to the skin by a collar, rough and sharp grass, hard clothing, etc. This species is more common in hairless animals, since their skin is not protected by thick hair.
2. Allergic – this includes all other types (flea, tick, bacterial, atopic, miliary, etc.).

Bacterial

A seemingly insignificant damage to the skin can subsequently lead to a serious dermatological problem in your pet. In this regard, the owner should know the symptoms of this or that type of dermatitis.

Flea

Of particular concern to the animal is the tail area and behind the ears.

Allergic

The body's reaction to the action of an allergen often leads to the development of dermatitis. In this case, redness, swelling and soreness of the skin are noted. The animal has papules, pustules, and blisters. Redness is often found in the groin and abdomen. Histamine-like substances produced by the body in response to the action of an allergen provoke itching and soreness of the skin. The cat is constantly itching and licking itself.

A characteristic sign of allergic dermatitis is that it affects not only the skin. The animal often experiences lacrimation and redness of the eyelids. There is sneezing and coughing.

Atopic

The allergic type of dermatitis is atopic. This form of the disease is hereditary in nature and manifests itself in animals aged from 10 months to 2.5 - 3 years. The disease is characterized by an increase in the production of antibodies to allergens when they appear from the outside. In this case, the allergen can be both microorganisms and dust, pollen, and perfume components.

Contact

A feature of this type of dermatitis in domestic animals is the localization of the inflammatory reaction at the site of contact of the skin with an aggressive substance. Most often, such agents are acids and alkalis, detergents, ointments, pastes, and creams. The animal experiences non-periodic itching. The cat scratches the area of ​​the chin, neck, and lower abdomen. Itching is often observed in the anus and on the pads of the paws.

Bacterial

Infectious dermatitis caused by pathogenic microorganisms occurs in domestic cats most often in a chronic form. Based on the clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process, veterinarians also distinguish between dry and weeping bacterial dermatitis.

Risk group and causes of feline dermatitis development

Therefore, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the root cause of dermatitis.

Symptoms and signs in a cat

The general signs of dermatitis, regardless of the cause of the disease, are typical and easily recognizable:

• Rash, scratching.
• Redness, inflammation.
• Swelling, blisters, blisters, ulcers.
• Extreme dry skin, scales, cracks. Or vice versa, damp hairless areas.
• The skin is hot to the touch, the pet constantly feels itching and burning.

Depending on the cause of the dermatitis, clinical signs may vary. With traumatic dermatitis, pain and swelling of the skin is observed. The fur in the area of ​​inflammation is wet, which is the result of effusion of serous fluid onto the surface of the skin.

In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation is complicated by the development of pathogenic microflora, and dermatitis turns into a pyogenic form. Drug-induced dermatitis in cats is characterized by local redness of the skin and hair loss. The affected area is swollen and painful. Sometimes small cracks in the skin or ulcers may appear. In the chronic course of dermatitis, the skin at the site of inflammation wrinkles (sclerosis) and flakes off.

What dermatitis looks like in a particular case depends on the cat's individual reactions. Two pets with the same diagnosis may feel differently: one cat is only slightly itchy, while the second is going bald and bleeding.

Chronic, indolent dermatitis is more difficult to deal with, so even barely noticeable dermatitis in cats on the ears is a reason to take your pet to the veterinarian. .

Photos of dermatitis in cats

Detecting feline dermatitis is a fairly simple task. This is due to the fact that the cat exhibits only two main types of symptoms characteristic of this disease. They are individual for each pet and do not depend on what causes the disease.

1. In the first case, there is increased dryness of the skin, on which cracks and scales soon appear. The skin turns red, scratching, rashes and inflammation are observed on its surface. In some situations, the cat's skin becomes covered with ulcers and blisters.
2. The second case is characterized by excessively moist and hot skin. Hair falls out on the affected areas. The cat's behavior is accompanied by severe anxiety. This is because dermatitis causes severe itching and burning. It is noteworthy that if two pets are given an identical diagnosis, each will manifest the disease differently. In some cats, the skin only itches a little, while in other cats, the skin is torn off until it bleeds, bald patches form, and the animal suffers greatly.

Treatment of dermatitis in cats must be professional and highly effective. Some pet owners treat their pets themselves.

Most likely, the dermatitis has become chronic.

In the chronic form, symptoms will appear again and again. While it is quite easy to cope with the acute form, it is much more difficult to overcome chronic feline dermatitis.

Photo of what dermatitis looks like in cats

Dermatitis in a cat photo

It is not difficult to detect dermatitis in a cat. There are two main options for the manifestation of its symptoms, individual for each cat, independent of the causes of the disease.

Almost all types are accompanied by hair loss in the affected area and redness of the skin. Bubbles, ulcers or microcracks often form. If an infection penetrates them, purulent or bloody discharge appears.

The animal itches furiously and is worried. The affected area may become hot to the touch.

Symptoms

Scratching, debilitating itching and reddening of the skin are typical symptoms of atopic dermatitis in cats. If a rash also appears on the animal’s body, then in this case we may be talking about bacterial inflammation attached to dermatitis. When contacting a veterinarian, cat owners are faced with the fact that today there is no analysis confirming dermatitis, so diagnosing and identifying the causes of this disease is only possible using the “poke” method, consistently, excluding external factors that could cause allergies.

Dermatitis in cats, the symptoms of which will depend on the cause of the disease, is quite difficult to determine on your own. Therefore, every cat owner should be familiar with the main signs that may indicate an illness.

Each animal reacts differently. Some cats only itch a little, while others can rip their skin until it bleeds and meow a lot as they do so. After diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe medications (tablets, ointments, shampoos).

Miliary dermatitis causes a lot of discomfort for your pet.

Symptoms can be seen even just by looking at photos of sick animals. Small and hard nodules appear in large numbers on the skin. Under these nodules or bumps you can see characteristic redness.

Miliary dermatitis in a cat can be localized only in a certain part of the body. For example, at the base of the tail or on the head.

With this manifestation, the cat can inflict severe wounds on itself because it will scratch and lick the affected parts of its body.

This disease can be diagnosed by the following signs:

• the presence of scratches on the animal’s skin;
• excessive dryness of the epidermis;
• the formation of swelling, ulcers, blisters, nodules.

Also, in the area of ​​dermatitis, the fur is wet, this is due to the fact that serous exudate is released.

If the reason lies in an allergic reaction, then hair loss may begin. The same is observed with an overdose of medications.

The skin not only becomes red and swollen, but also becomes very painful. But in addition to dermatitis, cats suffering from allergies will also have other symptoms: itching, lacrimation, sneezing, coughing and others.

In general, common symptoms of dermatitis in cats include:

• Itching. Pets scratch often and with “enthusiasm,” tearing the skin into blood.
• Pain in the inflamed area. The animal is very worried when someone touches, whines, bends.
• The affected area turns red. This is especially noticeable on light-colored fabrics. Sometimes you can even see dilated capillaries that burst, and crusts appear in their place.
• Sores may appear. Pustules are not excluded. Not only the overall body temperature increases, but also that of the affected areas.
• Hair falls out. Especially with chronic dermatitis.

Bacterial

Diagnosis and treatment at home

Since there are many subtypes of the disease, a diagnostic method will be prescribed that will exclude all similar diseases and allow a differential diagnosis to be given.

Diagnostic methods:

• blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• skin scrapings;
• allergy test;
• hair from the affected area is also taken for examination.

In addition, the doctor will ask about the symptoms of the sick cat, find out about its diet and pedigree.

Also learn about the symptoms of allergic bronchitis in animals.

Only qualified veterinarians can make a correct diagnosis. You should not risk the health of your beloved cat and determine it “by eye” based on some symptoms.

Having brought the animal to the veterinary clinic, the first thing the specialist will do is rule out diseases such as:

• Demodicosis and similar diseases;
• Pemphigus disease;
• Scabies and flea-like type of dermatitis;
• Mental disorders of the cat, which also result in hair loss in certain parts of the body;
• Cutaneous lymphoma;
• Infectious disease – cheyletiosis.

Carrying out allergy tests on a cat

Examination of skin scrapings helps to identify subcutaneous mites and the presence of a fungal infection. Bacteriological examination is aimed at identifying pathogenic microorganisms and determining sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

To find out the exact background of what is happening, you need an accurate anamnesis, medical history, information about the pedigree of the animal, the nature of its diet (feed, changes in purchased brands).

Then blood, urine, and stool tests are taken, skin scrapings are taken, and hair is taken for examination. It is extremely important to carry out an allergy test, since only it can answer a very interesting question: “Which substance causes relapses of the disease and worsens the course of the disease?”

Typically, the diagnosis is made based on a complete examination and information received from the animal's owners. You can see the flea bites in the photo. If a specialist finds signs of an inflammatory reaction and a myriad of fleas, then the diagnosis can be considered confirmed.

In addition, flea feces are very useful in diagnosis. How can they be distinguished from ordinary dirt, which can even be found on the skin of a domestic cat? This is done very simply.

First, collect “waste” from life using the method described above with a large sheet of paper. Then throw the collected grains into a glass of clean water. If the “grain” appeared on the cat as a result of the vital activity of fleas, then in the water it will disperse approximately like potassium permanganate.

To do this, the veterinarian shaves a small area of ​​skin on the cat's skin. The area is thoroughly wiped with an alcohol swab, and then a special allergen is injected there.

If the area where the drug was injected becomes inflamed, the diagnosis is considered confirmed.

But at present, a method for detecting flea dermatitis by the presence of specific antibodies in the blood has already been developed and is actively used in practice. This technique is the key to 100% diagnostic accuracy.

It is not surprising that with very vague symptoms, diagnosis becomes of great importance. The disease should be distinguished from flea dermatitis, from Aujeszky's disease, from simple food and other types of allergies, demodicosis, lichen, ear mites, etc.

To find out the exact background of what is happening, you need an accurate anamnesis, medical history, information about the pedigree of the animal, the nature of its diet (feed, changes in purchased brands). Then blood, urine, and stool tests are taken, skin scrapings are taken, and hair is taken for examination. It is extremely important to carry out an allergy test, since only it can answer a very interesting question: “Which substance causes relapses of the disease and worsens the course of the disease”?

Unfortunately, the problem is that the reagents for this test are very expensive, and therefore this technique is not used in every human hospital, not to mention veterinary clinics. But if your veterinarian has the opportunity to perform it, you should definitely take advantage of it, regardless of the cost. The results of an allergy test can be a great help in prescribing and carrying out treatment for your pet.

Diagnosis in the case of atopic dermatitis is of great importance due to the vagueness of the symptoms.

An accurate diagnosis can only be made by collecting a complete history. The doctor must know the cat’s medical history, its pedigree, and a complete picture of what the animal eats. After this, it is necessary to conduct some clinical studies: stool, urine, and blood tests. The most important thing is to conduct an allergy test. Only after this will it be possible to understand which substance is the “culprit” of dermatitis and affects the course of the disease.

Using reagents to conduct a test is very expensive. Therefore, you should not expect that it will be done in every veterinary clinic. But if such an opportunity exists, then it is better to pay the extra amount and identify the exact causative agent of atopic dermatitis. Knowing the exact diagnosis, you can carry out high-quality treatment at home.

First of all, the root cause of the disease is eliminated.

After eliminating the root cause, begin symptomatic treatment:

1. The fur on the affected areas is shaved or clipped.
2. Damaged skin is treated with an antiseptic, the crusts are soaked and removed.
3. Ointments containing an antibiotic (Levomekol, Clindamycin, Tetracycline, etc.) are applied to the affected areas.
4. In case of severe damage, injection of drugs is used.
5. The animal is given drugs that relieve itching (Tavegil, Suprastin, etc.).

These drugs promote accelerated healing, eliminate itching, and prevent infection from entering wounds.

Due to the variety of causes that cause the development of dermatitis in domestic animals, complex diagnostics of skin diseases is used in veterinary practice.

In addition to collecting an anamnesis and visual examination, the veterinary specialist has in his arsenal such diagnostic methods as skin scraping with further microscopic examination, trichoscopy (to exclude ringworm), and allergy tests.

Examination of skin scrapings helps to identify subcutaneous mites and the presence of a fungal infection. Bacteriological examination is aimed at identifying pathogenic microorganisms and determining sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

Allergen detection is carried out through allergy tests, as well as by determining the amount of antibodies in a complete blood test.

Treatment methods

Since it is impossible to completely cure dermatitis today, all that remains is to control it by promptly taking the necessary measures designed to alleviate the irritating and debilitating manifestations of this disease in cats. Depending on the breed of cat and its age, treatment of atopic dermatitis can be inexpensive, effective and easy, or, conversely, owners will have to spend a lot of time and financial resources fighting the disease.

First of all, it is important to try to prevent infection and treat pyoderma or otitis media for a month with medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Itching must be controlled, that is, symptomatic therapy is carried out, which is carried out with antihistamines. If your pet actively scratches itself, you need to prevent the appearance of fleas, whose bites only intensify the unbearable itching.

Antihistamines, when taken systematically, reduce the severity of symptoms of atopic dermatitis in cats by up to 70%. True, the effect of treatment with these drugs does not appear immediately, but only two weeks after the start of treatment.

Fatty acids also help control itching, reducing its unpleasant, debilitating manifestations by up to 50%. But, as in the case of antihistamines, the beneficial effect of taking fatty acids appears only after two months of systematic treatment with them.

Unfortunately, glucocorticosteroids that control itching have side effects that are sometimes extremely undesirable for the health and comfortable existence of the cat. Veterinarians prescribe mainly two drugs for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, which help to implement an effective and quick treatment regimen - prednisolone and dexamethasone.

In addition to the above drugs, experienced owners of meowing pets use cyclosporine to control itching in pets, which has a minimal number of possible side effects and is well tolerated by animals.

Treatments for dermatitis in cats include corticosteroids, oral antibiotics, and medications to soothe itching and inflammation. However, these medications may have side effects, so it is important not to self-medicate. In order to eliminate dermatitis in cats, treatment will be aimed primarily at killing fleas. The veterinarian may prescribe the use of medications that will help overcome the main symptoms.

So, popular remedies for fleas:

• sprays (Bars, Celandine);
• shampoos (Lugovoi, Celandine);
• collars (Beafar, Leopard);
• drops (Hartz, Advantage).

Ointment for cats and the use of creams can be prescribed to eliminate the main symptoms (itching, dryness, dandruff). To cure the disease, you can use:

• salicylic-zinc ointment;
• Alusprey ointment;
• Stop itching;
• Solcoseryl;
• Lecaderm cream;
• Syntomycin cream.

The preparations have softening and disinfecting effects. Help eliminate itching, flaking and accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissue. Cats can lick the product, so after application you need to put a plastic collar on the animal's neck.

Treatment at home is more gentle and no less effective. Many home remedies can easily cope with the main symptoms and lead to recovery. Let's figure out how to treat dermatitis with folk remedies.

How to treat dermatitis:

1. Mix 1 tbsp. nettle and thyme. Take a glass of boiling water and add 1 tsp. vegetable mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Give 30 ml using a syringe without a needle 4 times a day.
2. Mix alcohol, apple cider vinegar and honey in equal proportions. Let it brew for 1-2 hours. Apply to the affected part of the body in the form of compresses.
3. Add 50 ml of turpentine to a bucket of warm water. Bathe the animal in the solution or dampen a cloth and thoroughly wet the affected area.
4. Mix the following essential oils: lavender, cedarwood and tea tree with soapy water (5 drops of each oil per 1 liter of water). Treat the affected skin with the resulting solution.

Treatment at home also includes proper nutrition. You must monitor the quality of food, and if allergic dermatitis is detected, then you will need to find out what product the cat had such a reaction to.

It is not advisable to prescribe treatment for your pet yourself. If this disease is not completely cured, the animal will be weak and painful.

Most often, hypoallergenic foods are prescribed; the likelihood of them causing food allergies is very small, but still exists. During this period of time, the cat owner bears a great responsibility. You need to take your pet's diet seriously. After all, even the smallest piece of any other food can cause a reaction on the skin.

Treatment of dermatitis in cats depends on the type and stage of the inflammatory process. As a rule, when the cause of the irritation is eliminated, the inflammation disappears.

• If dermatitis is caused by injury, then alcohol solutions of iodine or methylene blue are used. Compresses with Vishnevsky ointment or lotions with astringents give good results.
• When traumatic dermatitis turns into purulent, the hair is cut off, dried crusts are removed, and the area itself is treated with an antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine) and sprinkled with antibiotic powder. If the process has gone too far (the cat is depressed, the body temperature is elevated, there is no appetite), it is advisable to prescribe antibiotic therapy in the form of injections.
• It should be taken into account that long-term use of alcohol solutions or highly irritating ointments leads to the development of drug-induced dermatitis. In this case, ointments with disinfectant and softening properties are prescribed (syntomycin cream, salicylic-zinc ointment, solcoseryl and others). Preparations based on propolis have also proven themselves well.
• In the case of chemical dermatitis, the affected area is immediately washed with plenty of water, and the substance itself is neutralized: acid - with a weak solution of baking soda, alkali - with a weak solution of vinegar or lemon juice.

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Treatment of the disease should be started as early as possible, since the inflamed skin thickens, becomes rough, and the disease develops into a more complex chronic form.

Treatment depends on the specific type of disease. Only an experienced veterinarian can diagnose the presence of a certain type of dermatitis. Medicines will also be prescribed depending on the stage of the disease. If you eliminate the cause of the irritation, then even from the photo you can see how the inflammatory process gradually passes.

In order not to have to think about how to treat dermatitis in a pet, you can carry out appropriate prevention and prevent the development of the disease. To prevent symptoms of dermatitis from appearing, it is important to follow one simple rule: carefully care for your pet.

If there are already symptoms of dermatitis, then mandatory consultation with a qualified specialist is necessary on how to treat it.

Fleas on a kitten.

Treatment of such patients may require several stages.

As a rule, veterinarians prescribe a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug.

Treatment depends on the specific type of disease. Only an experienced veterinarian can diagnose the presence of a certain type of dermatitis.

Medicines will also be prescribed depending on the stage of the disease. If you eliminate the cause of the irritation, then even from the photo you can see how the inflammatory process gradually passes.

1. Treatment of traumatic dermatitis involves the use of an alcohol solution of iodine and methylene blue. A compress with Vishnevsky ointment and astringent lotions will also help greatly.
2. In the treatment of purulent dermatitis at the site of the lesion, it is necessary to cut off the fur. You can see how to do this correctly in the photo. Then you need to remove the crust and treat the damaged area with antiseptics. Then sprinkle the wound with powder from streptocide tablets or antibiotics.
3. If the disease is medicated, it is necessary to use emollient disinfectant ointments. Sometimes veterinarians prescribe medications that contain propolis.
4. In how to treat chemical dermatitis, you need to act a little differently. First, wash off the irritant with plenty of water. Then, if the burn is caused by acid, treat the damaged area with a weak solution of soda. If the burn is caused by alkali, treat the affected area with citric acid or vinegar.

Therapeutic measures

How is atopic dermatitis treated in cats? First, it is extremely important to prevent the development of any secondary infection, which further weakens the body. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs are prescribed.

Secondly, it is necessary to stop the external manifestations of an allergic reaction caused by the release of histamine into the blood. For this, standard antihistamines are used. The following drugs have proven themselves to be particularly effective:

• Chlorpheniramine.
• Clemastine.
• Good old diphenhydramine.

Fortunately, unlike dogs, in which antihistamines for atopic dermatitis work (at best) in 15-30% of cases, when treating cats, the effectiveness reaches 80%. As a rule, you can observe a positive effect a couple of weeks after the start of treatment. The administration of fish oil has a very good effect on the condition of a sick animal.

In all cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. If the animal’s condition is alarming, immunosuppressants are prescribed to suppress the “independent activity” of the immune system. Cyclosporine has proven itself well.

There are three main causes of itching in animals: food allergies, atopic dermatitis and flea dermatitis. As a rule, when itching is detected, a comprehensive approach to treatment is selected in order to exclude or smooth out all three factors, since no diagnostic method will give a 100% diagnosis.

Treatment of the disease and medications used

In the manifestation of allergic dermatitis, the main role is played by histamine, which is released by the cells of the body when an allergen enters it. It is its appearance that causes inflammation, swelling and itching. In this case, resort to antihistamines.

Currently, veterinarians use suprastin and diphenhydramine, but these drugs only eliminate symptoms. They also use hormonal drugs that interfere with the production of histamine, such as prednisolone, dexafort and dexamethasone.

To relieve the external manifestations of an allergic reaction, it is also necessary to take antihistamines.

• Clemastine;
• Chlorpheniramine;
• Suprastin;
• Tavegil;
• Fenkarol;
• Prednisolone;
• Dexamethasone;
• Diphenhydramine.

Antihistamines help cats much better than dogs. A positive effect can be observed in 80% of cases after just one to two weeks of taking the medication.

The parallel use of fish oil is no less effective. Fatty acids allow the cat to get rid of the painful itching at least a little. However, you should not expect an immediate effect from fat; its use will appear after a few days or even weeks.

So, the treatment regimen for atopic dermatitis consists of taking antihistamines, antimicrobials, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fish oil. In some cases, treatment is supplemented by applying bandages with medicinal ointments. The doctor himself decides what nature they will be - antifungal, wound healing, etc. The only difficulty in this case will be to “persuade” the cat not to rip off the bandages.

Treatment without a diet will be unproductive. Therefore, a cat owner should feed his pet healthy food that does not contain any allergens. For a while, you will need to exclude even foods that are quite familiar to your pet: fish, chicken, etc. A precise diet with the necessary additives and microelements is usually suggested by a veterinarian.

Treating allergic dermatitis in cats at home

Treating your cat for fleas

We must try to protect the cat from prolonged scratching.

To stop scratching and stop allergies, drugs based on glucocorticosteroids are used, in particular dexamethasone. The veterinary drug Dexafort is widely used in such cases.

The very first step in the fight against flea dermatitis, of course, is treating the animal for fleas. This can be any product purchased at a pet store. Nowadays, preference is given to drugs based on the active substance fipronil, as the most effective.

The pricing policy for drugs even with the same active ingredient is different, but if for dogs it is very important to choose a good drug, since effective protection against ticks is important, then for cats this is not so important - cheaper drugs can also effectively kill fleas that bite an animal.

Prevention of dermatitis in cats

A domestic cat can become infected with fleas not only outdoors, but also at home. Flea larvae can live on a person's shoes or clothing. After hatching, blood-sucking insects need a new host.

Basic preventive measures:

• limit your pet’s contact with stray animals;
• use a flea collar;
• take off your shoes outside the house or wash your soles with soap;
• prevent worms in your cat;
• hygiene in the home (pathogenic microflora lives in unsanitary conditions);
• treat furniture and carpets with anti-mite preparations.

In addition, you should follow a diet if your pet is allergic. Allergens for cats are: lamb, dairy products, fish, beef, chicken, corn. Also use medications with extreme caution.

If you have any questions about dermatitis in cats, ask them in the comments - we will be happy to answer!

Dermatitis is an unpleasant disease, but it is highly treatable. Compliance with preventive measures will prevent the development of skin diseases in your pet.

Check your cat regularly and take her to the vet at the first sign of dermatitis.

Dermatitis in domestic cats has a number of varieties. Most often, the owner is faced with flea and allergic forms of the disease. Diagnostics is aimed at identifying the causes of the disease. Treatment is complex and should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinary specialist.

Prognosis for atopic dermatitis

It is impossible to cure atopic dermatitis once and for all. You can only reduce the number of relapses of the disease. If the measures described above do not help to cope with the problem, then the animal may be prescribed immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine, etc.).

In general, the treatment prognosis is favorable. The main condition is to limit allergens reaching the animal. If the causative agent of the disease is not identified, then every effort will have to be made to remove from the pet’s environment everything that could provoke a new outbreak of allergies. A cat can react to house dust (dust mites), flowering plants, and even other animals.

If your pet begins to “tear and throw” at certain times of the year, then this can be attributed to a common pollen allergy. And you can eliminate allergens yourself. If your cat is sick all year round, then this is a serious reason to contact a specialist. Only timely seeking help from a veterinarian will help avoid negative consequences and make it easier to take care of the animal.

Diet for allergic dermatitis

A special diet will be required no matter what type of allergic dermatitis your cat has. The best solution would be to switch to hypoallergenic food or prepare the most harmless food for your pet.

If your pet is not treated correctly, acute dermatitis can develop into a chronic form.

Typically, veterinarians advise switching cats to rabbit meat with rice, unless it is known that the rabbit meat protein is an allergen. This diet, even without treatment, can cause symptoms to disappear within three to four months.

Then the results obtained should be consolidated, and then stick to this diet.

As a rule, hydrocortisone ointment is used, but if there are infected scratches, its use is unacceptable. Certain drugs, such as “Stop Itching,” save the cat from itching and have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect due to the content of chloramphenicol and metronidazole.

Chronic indolent dermatitis is more difficult to cope with.

Text of the article and photos 1-10 from the book SMALL ANIMAL DERMATOLOGY A COLOR ATLAS AND THERAPEUTIC GUID E KEITH A. HNILICA 2011

Translation from English: veterinarian Vasiliev

Clinical manifestations

Feline atopic dermatitis is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction to environmental antigens (allergens) with a suspected genetic or hereditary predisposition. Feline atopic dermatitis is uncommon, less common than

Cats do not have the characteristic clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis. The primary symptom is itching (chewing, scratching, excessive grooming), which may be seasonal or non-seasonal, depending on the offending allergen. Itching may be localized to the head, neck, and ears, or may occur in other areas such as the lower abdomen, caudal thighs, front legs, or sides of the chest. Self-injury usually leads to alopecia, which can be bilaterally symmetrical. The remaining hair is broken off and cannot be easily epilated.

Skin with alopecia may appear normal or may have secondary excoriations. Miliary dermatitis, ceruminous and In the chronic process, secondary or peripheral lymphadenopathy may develop. Feline atopic dermatitis may be associated with the presence of chronic bronchitis or asthma in some cats.

Differential diagnosis

Diagnosis

1. Rule out other differential diagnoses, especially flea allergy dermatitis, dermatophytosis, mites, and food allergies.

2. Allergy testing (intradermal, serological): Allergy testing can be highly variable, depending on the method used. Positive reactions have been observed to grass, trees, mold, insects, tobacco, epidermis, feathers, or environmental allergens found inside the home. False negative reactions are common. False-positive reactions may occur. Systemic administration of fluorescein may improve the diagnostic accuracy of intradermal testing in cats.

3 Dermatohistopathology: Variable mild to severe perivascular or diffuse inflammation with lymphocytes, mast cell hyperplasia and eosinophils. Epidermal hyperplasia, spongiosis, erosions, ulcers, and serum cell crusts may be present.

Treatment and prognosis

1 Prevention of infection: Any secondary pyoderma or otitis should be treated with appropriate medications for 2-4 weeks.

2 Symptomatic therapy (pruritus control): itching can be controlled with antihistamines, unsaturated fatty acids and glucocorticosteroids.

a A comprehensive flea control program should be prescribed to prevent flea bites, which worsen the itching.

b Systemic antihistamines can reduce clinical signs in 40–70% of cats with atopic dermatitis. The beneficial effect should be observed within 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment (Table 1).

c Oral supplementation with essential fatty acids may help control pruritus in 20-50% of cats. The beneficial effect should be observed within 8-12 weeks after the start of treatment. A synergistic effect may occur when essential fatty acids are given in combination with other treatments.

d Systemic corticosteroids control pruritus but almost always cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Effective treatment regimens include:

• Prednisolone 2 mg/kg orally every 24 hours until itching and skin lesions resolve (approximately 2 to 8 weeks), then 2 mg/kg orally every 48 hours for 2 to 4 weeks, tapering to the lowest possible dose when dosing every other day if long-term maintenance therapy is required.

• Dexamethasone 2 mg orally 1 time every 1-3 days until itching subsides, then reduce to the least possible frequency of use.

Table 1 Antihistamine therapy for feline atopic dermatitis

Antihistamines in bold are preferred by the authors

3 Allergy treatment (immune modulation)

• a Owners can reduce exposure to allergens that cause itching by removing them from the environment when possible. HEPA filters, air purifiers, and carbon filters can be used to reduce pollen, mold, and dust in the home. For cats sensitive to house dust mites, treating carpets, mattresses, and upholstery with benzyl benzoate acaricide once a month for about 3 months, and then every 3 months thereafter, can effectively eliminate house dust mites from the environment. Old cat litter should be discarded as it can accumulate house dust mite antigens. Reducing the humidity in the home below 40% relative humidity reduces house dust mite, mold and flea antigen load. To achieve this, highly efficient dehumidifiers are required that are capable of removing several liters of water from the air throughout the day.
• c (Atopica) 7.5 mg/kg PO may be given every 24 hours until beneficial effects occur (approximately 4-6 weeks). You should then try to reduce the dosing frequency to 48-72 hours. Many cats can be maintained with once every 72 hours application. Cats must be free of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The risk of toxoplasmosis is a matter of debate; however, this risk appears to be very low at present.
• c Immunotherapy (allergy vaccine) is indicated if drug therapy is ineffective or unacceptable by owners, or if it causes unwanted side effects. Approximately 50-70% of cats with atopic dermatitis show a positive response to immunotherapy. Clinical improvement is usually observed within 3-8 months, but may take up to 1 year in some cats.

4 The prognosis is good for most cats, but successful treatment usually requires lifelong therapy.

Author's note

Despite their very frequent use, long-acting injectable steroids should only be used as a last resort due to life-threatening cardiac events.

effects detected in 11% of cats, in addition. There are other, more well-known health risks, including diabetes and urinary tract infections. Cyclosporine (Atopica) is very well tolerated in cats and has very few side effects. Interestingly, cyclosporine appears to be able to control most feline dermatitis due to immunological causes, with the exception of flea allergy dermatitis, dermatophytosis, and mite dermatitis.

Related articles:

Image 1 Feline atopic dermatitis. Allergic alopecia in a cat. Similar alopecia lesions with excessive grooming can be caused by allergies to flea saliva, food allergies, and mite infestations.

Image 2 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Multifocal alopecia of the trunk and lumbar region in a cat with atopy.

Image 3 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Focal erythema with mild alopecia on the trunk of an atopic cat. This lesion was a mild eosinophilic plaque.

Image 4 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Allergic alopecia, affecting almost entirely the front legs of an atopic cat. Note the complete absence of dermatitis (obvious inflammation), which often leads to the misdiagnosis of psychogenic alopecia.

Figure 5. Feline atopic dermatitis. Fine focal crusts typical of miliary dermatitis in an atopic cat

Figure 6. Feline atopic dermatitis. Alopecia and eosinophilic blotches on the abdomen of an allergic cat.

Fig. 7 Atopic dermatitis of cats. This intradermal allergy test shows several positive reactions. Note the mild skin reactions that are typical for allergy tests in cats.

Image 8 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Close-up view of the intradermal allergy test in Figure 7. Positive reactions appear as erythematous macules.

Fig. 9 Atopic dermatitis of cats Generalized “moth-eaten” truncal alopecia in an atopic cat.

Fig. 10 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Allergic abdominal alopecia in an atopic cat. Skin inflammation may be mild and easily undetected.

Figure 11. Feline atopic dermatitis. Severe erythema, alopecia and excoriation associated with hypersensitivity to environmental allergens.

Figure 12. Feline atopic dermatitis. Hypersensitivity with subsequent self-induced alopecia. Note the lack of excoriation in this patient.

Fig. 13 Atopic dermatitis of cats. Symmetrical alopecia in a cat. Note the well-demarcated areas of alopecia with no associated inflammation.

Figure 14. Atopic dermatitis in cats. This cat was licking her underbelly excessively, which caused complete alopecia of her underbelly.

Figure 15. Atopic dermatitis in cats. Eosinophilic blotches in an adult cat.

Figure 16. Atopic dermatitis in cats. Eosinophilic plaques, which are raised erythematous plaques on the trunk with areas of secondary excoriation due to intense itching.

Dermatitis in cats is more of a symptom than a disease. Another disease may manifest itself in this way. Dermatitis is characterized by inflammatory processes on the skin, the appearance of wounds and ulcers.

In order to begin treatment for dermatitis, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the disease.

Depending on the manifestation of dermatitis, it is divided into several types:

• interior,
• surface,
• wet,
• purulent.

According to the nature of the course, dermatitis is divided into chronic, acute and subacute. The owner's quick response and timely treatment can prevent the development of a chronic form, which can develop into any form if the symptoms are left untreated for a long time.

There are many different types of dermatitis. The onset of the disease can be triggered by both external and internal factors. Treatment depends on the cause of the inflammatory process.

Dermatitis in cats, depending on its cause, is usually divided into simple and allergic.

Causes of dermatitis in cats

Perfumes, disinfectants, household chemicals, pollen, ordinary dust, food ingredients, medications are the most common triggers for the development of allergies that furry fidgets face.

A skin reaction for cats is a rare thing, this is due to the presence of an antibacterial agent in the saliva and on the outer integument of animals. Minor infections and microtraumas often go unnoticed: the cat simply licks them, independently preventing further development of inflammation.

According to the nature of origin, dermatitis is:

As a result of targeted short-term exposure to high temperatures on the cat's skin (direct sunlight in hot weather, accidental touching of hot objects, etc.), minor burns occur, which manifest themselves as thermal dermatitis. In addition, thermal dermatitis can be a consequence of frostbite of the skin.

Long-term uncontrolled use of external ointments, creams, and solutions that have an irritating effect leads to the development of drug-induced dermatitis. Such dermatitis can also occur as a result of oral medication, and is more likely to be allergic in nature.

When the skin is exposed to aggressive substances (acids, alkalis, etc.), chemical dermatitis occurs, which is also called a chemical burn.

This skin disease is classified depending on the causes of skin irritation.

Infectious - it is also called purulent. Occurs when the integrity of the skin is damaged and bacteria or fungi enter. The inflammation spreads quite quickly and can occupy large areas of the skin. Most often it is expressed by pustules or weeping wounds.

Allergic – can be caused by both food allergens and external irritants.

Atopic (food) dermatitis can occur from almost any food. The allergen can accumulate and cause a reaction even to the usual food. The disease is characterized by rashes, swelling and redness of the affected areas. Hyperreactive development may occur - Quincke's edema, which, if not treated in a timely manner, can lead to the death of the pet.

Traumatic - appears due to scratches, friction of the collar, cuts from grass and other factors that can disrupt the integrity of the skin. Sensitive skin becomes red at the site of the lesion, and an itchy rash appears. It often becomes complicated and develops into infectious dermatitis.

Medicinal – is an allergic reaction to medications.

All types of dermatitis are not transmitted to humans!

Mechanical tissue damage, characterized by bruises, scratches, bedsores or minor wounds, manifests itself in the form of traumatic dermatitis.

Mechanical tissue damage, characterized by bruises, scratches, bedsores or minor wounds, manifests itself in the form of traumatic dermatitis. If pathogenic microflora begins to develop at the site where the integrity of the skin is damaged, traumatic dermatitis becomes a more severe form - purulent or infectious dermatitis.

Manifestations intensify in the warm season, but relapses are possible in winter (entry and basement fleas).

Worms injure the mucous membranes of internal organs, secrete poisons, die and decompose, releasing toxic substances.

Any fungus and any bacteria, regardless of pathogenicity, can cause dermatitis due to hypersensitivity. Signs are individual, from general skin lesions to small reddened and itchy areas. Bacterial and fungal dermatitis often occur in a latent or chronic form, with vague, unclear symptoms and relapses “for no reason.”

This disease in itself rarely causes concern to owners - just think, dandruff is falling off. But dandruff is a signal that the sebaceous glands are not functioning properly.

If the pet's skin is sensitive or if the pet has suffered severe stress (illness, nervous shock), banal seborrhea turns into seborrheic dermatitis - chronic itching, redness of the skin throughout the body (especially in places of anatomical bends, in folds), a heavy unpleasant odor appears, the fur sticks together icicles or becomes brittle, dull and dry.

To get rid of seborrheic dermatitis, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Special shampoos and solutions will help (only after consulting a doctor, as an incorrectly selected shampoo will greatly worsen the situation). Introducing vitamin A and fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6) into the diet helps.

The causes of miliary dermatitis in cats can be completely different.

The causes of such rashes can be varied, and sometimes it is not possible to immediately identify and eliminate them. Their localization is generally independent of etiology, and dermatitis can affect local areas of the body or spread to a greater or lesser extent throughout the cat’s body.

Miliary dermatitis can be triggered by various factors, both the external environment and the individual characteristics of the body.

Types of allergic reaction

A veterinarian will help determine the exact causes of the disease.

At the same time, allergic reactions can be of three types: a reaction to flea saliva, an allergy to some food component and atopic dermatitis, that is, one that is caused by some factor from the external environment.

What are the causes of dermatitis in cats? What can cause skin inflammation?

According to the nature of the disease, this disease can be chronic, acute or subacute. The last two forms are not considered particularly dangerous.

Therefore, at the first signs of illness, it is advisable to take the cat to the veterinarian.

A seemingly insignificant damage to the skin can subsequently lead to a serious dermatological problem in your pet. In this regard, the owner should know the symptoms of this or that type of dermatitis.

Flea

Of particular concern to the animal is the tail area and behind the ears.

Allergic

A characteristic sign of allergic dermatitis is that it affects not only the skin. The animal often experiences lacrimation and redness of the eyelids. There is sneezing and coughing.

The most common problem veterinarians encounter is food allergies. This type of dermatitis is characterized by redness and swelling of the skin. In severe cases, domestic cats can develop life-threatening angioedema.

Atopic

The allergic type of dermatitis is atopic. This form of the disease is hereditary in nature and manifests itself in animals aged from 10 months to 2.5 - 3 years.

The disease is characterized by an increase in the production of antibodies to allergens when they appear from the outside. In this case, the allergen can be both microorganisms and dust, pollen, and perfume components.

Contact

The cat scratches the area of ​​the chin, neck, and lower abdomen. Itching is often observed in the anus and on the pads of the paws.

Bacterial

Infectious dermatitis caused by pathogenic microorganisms occurs in domestic cats most often in a chronic form. Based on the clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process, veterinarians also distinguish between dry and weeping bacterial dermatitis.

1) Atopic

This division is purely arbitrary, since several forms are often present at once. For example, with an infectious lesion, the animal may vigorously scratch the itchy areas - and as a result, post-traumatic inflammation occurs.

Each type of disease requires specific therapy. Therefore, before a decision is made on how to treat dermatitis in a cat, a thorough diagnosis of its condition should be carried out and the causes of a specific inflammatory process should be identified.

Allergic

The body's reaction to the action of an allergen often leads to the development of dermatitis. In this case, redness, swelling and soreness of the skin are noted.

The animal has papules, pustules, and blisters. Redness is often found in the groin and abdomen.

Atopic

The allergic type of dermatitis is atopic. This form of the disease is hereditary in nature and manifests itself in animals aged from 10 months to 2.5 - 3 years.

Contact

Most often, such agents are acids and alkalis, detergents, ointments, pastes, and creams. The animal experiences non-periodic itching.

Bacterial

However, if not treated correctly, acute dermatitis in a cat can easily turn into chronic. In this case, all symptoms of the disease in your pet will disappear on their own.

But at the same time, in the future they will constantly appear during relapses. Chronic dermatitis is much more difficult to cure than acute dermatitis.

The following are the main causes of dermatitis in pets. The information is provided for informational purposes only. Please do not try to treat the disease without the help of a veterinarian.

dermatitis on the skin

Flea

Locations of flea dermatitis

Bacterial

Weeping bacterial dermatitis

1) Atopic

The types of dermatitis and their manifestation differ in a number of characteristics. Main types:

The reaction of the cat’s body can be of very different severity: single ulcers and rashes may appear, swelling and wounds may also appear. Inflammation of the skin causes severe itching, so the cat is constantly itching. At the site of combing, hair falls out and bald patches form. Combed wounds become covered with a crust.

The tick-borne type can cause severe itching, at the site of which swelling forms. The body's reaction directly depends on the cat's susceptibility to irritants. Some animals, having become infected with subcutaneous mites, become covered with small seals on the skin. Others, more susceptible, scratch the wounds until they become real ulcers, and bald patches are found at the scratching sites.

Signs of infection and treatment

Atopic dermatitis develops at the genomic level. An animal is already born with a similar disease. At its core, this disease is a hypersensitive reaction to antigens contained in the animal’s environment.

This kind of phenomenon can be seasonal or non-seasonal.

If a cat chews itself in the spring or summer, then, according to veterinarians, it may have an allergic reaction to the flowering of some plant (to its pollen).

For an animal, this condition is also typical for allergies to fleas and ticks, components of household chemicals - the allergen is sometimes not so easy to calculate.

The appearance of alopecia on the animal's fur. In cats, when they have atopic dermatitis, patches of baldness may appear on their fur.

Foci of baldness appear most often in the armpits, genitals, facial part of the muzzle, neck - in those places where the skin is thinnest and most delicate.

The symptoms of a dermatological infection are quite pronounced, the pathology is determined by external examination: redness of the skin, abscesses, nodules. The most common complex syndrome is the so-called miliary dermatitis in cats, which manifests itself as characteristic nodules in the form of grains, under which redness and itching are noted.

Other symptoms may include a slight increase in temperature, suppuration of the affected areas, loss of appetite, and sometimes signs of intoxication.

However, in advanced and severe cases, when a purulent infection occurs, special treatment of the affected areas is required.

Detecting feline dermatitis is a fairly simple task. This is due to the fact that the cat exhibits only two main types of symptoms characteristic of this disease. They are individual for each pet and do not depend on what causes the disease.

1. In the first case, there is increased dryness of the skin, on which cracks and scales soon appear. The skin turns red, scratching, rashes and inflammation are observed on its surface. In some situations, the cat's skin becomes covered with ulcers and blisters.
2. The second case is characterized by excessively moist and hot skin. Hair falls out on the affected areas. The cat's behavior is accompanied by severe anxiety. This is because dermatitis causes severe itching and burning. It is noteworthy that if two pets are given an identical diagnosis, each will manifest the disease differently. In some cats, the skin only itches a little, while in other cats, the skin is torn off until it bleeds, bald patches form, and the animal suffers greatly.

Treatment of dermatitis in cats must be professional and highly effective. Some pet owners treat their pets themselves. Often, the initial symptoms can go away with self-medication, and the signs of the disease will go away for a while. But this does not mean that you managed to overcome the disease. Most likely, the dermatitis has become chronic.

Miliary dermatitis in cats is divided into two main groups.

1. Simple. This is a group of dermatitis of domestic animals, which includes diseases transmitted through contact with external irritants. The most common irritants are cat collars. Simple dermatitis is a fairly rare occurrence, since the skin is reliably protected from irritants by hair. But the situation is somewhat different with cats of hairless breeds. Judging by the photo, a reaction can occur even to ordinary solar exposure.
2. Allergic. An animal can be allergic to a variety of things. The allergic form of the disease is based on inadequate reactions of the immune system to various irritants or foods. An allergy can be food or contact when switching to a new food, using different cosmetics, clothing, or due to contact with allergenic things of the animal owner. Banal repair work or buying new furniture can provoke allergic dermatitis in your pet. The main problem of the allergic form is the difficulty of identifying the allergen that irritates the cat.

Causes of dermatitis

Allergic dermatitis in cats can occur not only due to diet or a change in environment. It is important to determine symptoms and treatment by identifying the true cause with your pet's skin.

The immune system naturally reacts to irritants, causing itching and irritation of the skin. But for this reason, the animal constantly itches, causing the formation of scratching, rashes, swelling and ulcers.

There are several main causes of dermatitis in pets.

The general signs of dermatitis, regardless of the cause of the disease, are typical and easily recognizable:

• Rash, scratching.
• Redness, inflammation.
• Swelling, blisters, blisters, ulcers.
• Extreme dry skin, scales, cracks. Or vice versa, damp hairless areas.
• The skin is hot to the touch, the pet constantly feels itching and burning.

Depending on the cause of the dermatitis, clinical signs may vary. With traumatic dermatitis, pain and swelling of the skin is observed. The fur in the area of ​​inflammation is wet, which is the result of effusion of serous fluid onto the surface of the skin.

In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation is complicated by the development of pathogenic microflora, and dermatitis turns into a pyogenic form. Drug-induced dermatitis in cats is characterized by local redness of the skin and hair loss. The affected area is swollen and painful. Sometimes small cracks in the skin or ulcers may appear. In the chronic course of dermatitis, the skin at the site of inflammation wrinkles (sclerosis) and flakes off.

What dermatitis looks like in a particular case depends on the cat's individual reactions. Two pets with the same diagnosis may feel differently: one cat is only slightly itchy, while the second is going bald and bleeding.

Chronic, indolent dermatitis is more difficult to deal with, so even barely noticeable dermatitis in cats on the ears is a reason to take your pet to the veterinarian. .

Detecting feline dermatitis is a fairly simple task. This is due to the fact that the cat exhibits only two main types of symptoms characteristic of this disease. They are individual for each pet and do not depend on what causes the disease.

Treatment of dermatitis in cats must be professional and highly effective. Some pet owners treat their pets themselves.

Most likely, the dermatitis has become chronic.

In the chronic form, symptoms will appear again and again. While it is quite easy to cope with the acute form, it is much more difficult to overcome chronic feline dermatitis.

Dermatitis in a cat photo

It is not difficult to detect dermatitis in a cat. There are two main options for the manifestation of its symptoms, individual for each cat, independent of the causes of the disease.

General symptoms

This disease can be diagnosed by the following signs:

• the presence of scratches on the animal’s skin;
• excessive dryness of the epidermis;
• the formation of swelling, ulcers, blisters, nodules.

Despite the variety of causes that cause dermatitis, they all have common clinical signs:

• Rash - can be of various morphologies from spots to blisters, ulcers and erosions.
• Abrasions and scratches
• The affected areas are red, hot to the touch, and may experience swelling.
• Soreness - the cat does not allow you to touch the inflamed area.
• The appearance of cracks and scales at the site of the lesion.
• Itching – the animal will be restless and will constantly scratch the affected area.

Pet owners can only detect signs of pathology by noticing constant itching and restlessness in their pets. Determining the form and cause of the disease at home is quite difficult.

Although the owner may detect the presence of fleas, this is not always the only cause of the disease. Therefore, mandatory consultation and examination by a specialist is required.

For obvious reasons, your veterinarian will rule out ringworm first. Culture results can only be obtained after a couple of weeks, so if you suspect this disease, the animal should be quarantined.

When an infection occurs, yellow crusts appear on the inflamed areas and the surface will become wet. Allergic dermatitis may be accompanied by the appearance of alopecia, and possible sneezing, coughing or watery eyes.

Miliary dermatitis causes a lot of discomfort for your pet.

Symptoms can be seen even just by looking at photos of sick animals. Small and hard nodules appear in large numbers on the skin. Under these nodules or bumps you can see characteristic redness.

Miliary dermatitis in a cat can be localized only in a certain part of the body. For example, at the base of the tail or on the head.

With this manifestation, the cat can inflict severe wounds on itself because it will scratch and lick the affected parts of its body.

Also, in the area of ​​dermatitis, the fur is wet, this is due to the fact that serous exudate is released.

If the reason lies in an allergic reaction, then hair loss may begin. The same is observed with an overdose of medications.

The skin not only becomes red and swollen, but also becomes very painful. But in addition to dermatitis, cats suffering from allergies will also have other symptoms: itching, lacrimation, sneezing, coughing and others.

In general, common symptoms of dermatitis in cats include:

• Itching. Pets scratch often and with “enthusiasm,” tearing the skin into blood.
• Pain in the inflamed area. The animal is very worried when someone touches, whines, bends.
• The affected area turns red. This is especially noticeable on light-colored fabrics. Sometimes you can even see dilated capillaries that burst, and crusts appear in their place.
• Sores may appear. Pustules are not excluded. Not only the overall body temperature increases, but also that of the affected areas.
• Hair falls out. Especially with chronic dermatitis.

Signs of flea dermatitis:

• The cat becomes restless and itches often;
• Redness on the skin, especially in the area of ​​scratching;
• After some time, small wounds appear on the skin.

Allergic dermatitis is characterized by severe itching. Often a number of other signs are added to the main symptom: with a severe allergy, the cat may sneeze and have watery eyes.

Allergies can be caused by completely different factors:

• Vegetation: trees, flower pollen, cat-eaten grass;
• Certain fabrics in everyday life - wool, nylon; textile dust;
• Materials present in the house - rubber, plastic items;
• Food additives: dyes, flavors, as well as cereals and vegetables;
• Dairy products;
• Regular house dust;
• Insects and their waste products.

Video about diagnosing skin diseases in cats

Typically, the diagnosis is made based on a complete examination and information received from the animal's owners. You can see the flea bites in the photo. If a specialist finds signs of an inflammatory reaction and a myriad of fleas, then the diagnosis can be considered confirmed.

First, collect “waste” from life using the method described above with a large sheet of paper. Then throw the collected grains into a glass of clean water. If the “grain” appeared on the cat as a result of the vital activity of fleas, then in the water it will disperse approximately like potassium permanganate.

Due to the variety of causes that cause the development of dermatitis in domestic animals, complex diagnostics of skin diseases is used in veterinary practice.

In addition to collecting an anamnesis and visual examination, the veterinary specialist has in his arsenal such diagnostic methods as skin scraping with further microscopic examination, trichoscopy (to exclude ringworm), and allergy tests.

Allergen detection is carried out through allergy tests, as well as by determining the amount of antibodies in a complete blood test.

Carrying out allergy tests on a cat

To find out the exact background of what is happening, you need an accurate anamnesis, medical history, information about the pedigree of the animal, the nature of its diet (feed, changes in purchased brands).

Then blood, urine, and stool tests are taken, skin scrapings are taken, and hair is taken for examination. It is extremely important to carry out an allergy test, since only it can answer a very interesting question: “Which substance causes relapses of the disease and worsens the course of the disease?”

In addition, flea feces are very useful in diagnosis. How can they be distinguished from ordinary dirt, which can even be found on the skin of a domestic cat? This is done very simply.

To do this, the veterinarian shaves a small area of ​​skin on the cat's skin. The area is thoroughly wiped with an alcohol swab, and then a special allergen is injected there.

If the area where the drug was injected becomes inflamed, the diagnosis is considered confirmed.

Most types of allergies are seasonal and have an inhalant form. Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of a detailed blood test and determining the amount of antibodies in it. Intradermal testing also takes place. The method was originally developed for humans, however, today it is successfully used in veterinary medicine.

Treatment of dermatitis

Their effectiveness has not been proven, and the mechanism of action is often detrimental to the health of our little brothers.

The first step in ridding your cat of atopic dermatitis is, of course, preventing the development of infection. This disease can bring unbearable itching to the animal, which is eliminated with the help of glucocorticoids (Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone), antihistamines (Chlorphenamine, Diphenhydramine) and polyunsaturated acids (linoleic, eicosapentaenoic, cold-pressed sunflower oil).

Cats that have been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis will have to be freed from fleas (Frontline, Hartz), which with their bites can increase the itching of the dermatosis and cause suffering to cats.

When ridding your pet of fleas, you should at the same time try to alleviate his suffering due to burning and itching. Most often, flea allergy dermatitis in cats is treated with glucocorticosteroids.

But it is also possible to feed them in tablet form. The cat should take the pills for 2-3 weeks.

The dose should be gradually reduced.

Glucocorticosteroids are the drugs that best help against a disease such as flea dermatitis in cats. Treatment after completing the course of medication should be continued with the use of special medications that maintain the effect obtained.

Of course, the specific medications most suitable for a cat should be prescribed by a veterinarian.

It should be immediately clarified that this cannot be done purely at home.

It is important to start taking the necessary medications as early as possible; dermatitis can become a chronic process and treatment will be extremely difficult.

Common medications for all types of illness are substances that eliminate itching. To do this, you can use several types of drugs:

• Antihistamine ointments - usually contain hydrocortisone. Most often used to treat allergic dermatitis, but it is strictly prohibited when the affected areas are infected.
• Complex products - “Stop Itching” ointment, has both anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial and antipruritic properties.
• Ointments containing aluminum - for example Alusprey. It has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, and also accelerates healing.

It is recommended to treat the affected surface with antibacterial drugs, and not only for infectious types of disease. It can also be used for other types in order to prevent the addition of a secondary infection.

To ensure that your pet can easily survive this illness, you need to follow these simple tips:

1. Strict adherence to the recommendations of a veterinary specialist.
2. Before using medical products, you must read the annotation; if the doctor’s recommendations differ from the information in the annotation, consult another doctor, or check with an existing specialist.
3. Maintaining hygiene of the sleeping area and the pet itself as a whole. It is necessary to prevent the fur from matting, and to do this, try to comb it as often as possible. Otherwise, microorganisms can settle in uncombed areas that cause the disease itself.
4. Try not to let your four-legged dog lick inflamed areas, as wetting these areas will aggravate the disease.

A visual photograph of animals whose owners ignored the advice of veterinarians and self-medicated should serve as an incentive to not make similar mistakes.

In order for your pet to return to normal life, and for its skin to acquire a healthy, pristine appearance, remember the first and most important rule - do not take any actions other than skin care until the veterinarian has determined the exact cause of the development of dermatitis.

1. In some cases, the skin may begin to recover with a normal diet change. Some nutritional additives used in the production of food may not be suitable for your animal. Hence the corresponding reaction. If changing the food helps, then there is no need to take any other active treatment measures.
2. In some cases, to restore the animal’s health, it will be necessary to take a course of anti-allergy or antibacterial drugs.
3. If you want to speed up the healing process of your cat’s skin, use special products prescribed by your veterinarian. The selection of drugs directly depends on the type of dermatitis and its current stage of progression.
4. If your cat has dermatitis due to injury, be sure to treat the damaged skin with methylene blue or an unsaturated solution based on regular iodine.
5. In some cases, a transition from a traumatic to a purulent form of skin disease in a cat is possible. In this situation, be sure to treat the animal's skin before treatment. First, remove excess hair with scissors or a trimmer and get rid of dried crusts. The cleaned skin is treated with chlorhexodine, and then a special powder containing antibiotics is poured on top. Be sure to protect the treated area of ​​skin, otherwise your cat may simply lick the medicine off.
6. Sometimes special ointments are used for cats, which disinfect and soften the animal's skin. Usually these are syntomycin creams or ointments based on salicylic acid with zinc.
7. Preparations for cats made using propolis have an excellent effect on restoring the skin in case of dermatitis.

Dermatitis in pets is an unpleasant but treatable disease. Don't forget that your cat's health is in your hands.

Treatment of dermatitis in cats depends on the type and stage of the inflammatory process. As a rule, when the cause of the irritation is eliminated, the inflammation disappears.

• If dermatitis is caused by injury, then alcohol solutions of iodine or methylene blue are used. Compresses with Vishnevsky ointment or lotions with astringents give good results.
• When traumatic dermatitis turns into purulent, the hair is cut off, dried crusts are removed, and the area itself is treated with an antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine) and sprinkled with antibiotic powder. If the process has gone too far (the cat is depressed, the body temperature is elevated, there is no appetite), it is advisable to prescribe antibiotic therapy in the form of injections.
• It should be taken into account that long-term use of alcohol solutions or highly irritating ointments leads to the development of drug-induced dermatitis. In this case, ointments with disinfectant and softening properties are prescribed (syntomycin cream, salicylic-zinc ointment, solcoseryl and others). Preparations based on propolis have also proven themselves well.
• In the case of chemical dermatitis, the affected area is immediately washed with plenty of water, and the substance itself is neutralized: acid - with a weak solution of baking soda, alkali - with a weak solution of vinegar or lemon juice.

Prevention of dermatitis in cats comes down to one single and important rule - good care and compliance with the rules for keeping animals at home.

To choose the right treatment tactics, you must determine the cause of your pet’s rash. Establishing an accurate diagnosis will help prescribe the correct therapy, as it varies greatly depending on the type of disease.

It is important to start taking the necessary medications as early as possible; dermatitis can become a chronic process and treatment will be extremely difficult.

In case of traumatic lesions, cuts and abrasions should be treated with alcohol solutions of aniline dyes or Vishnevsky ointment.

For the treatment of allergic dermatitis, antihistamines - suprastin, diphenhydramine - are necessarily prescribed. In especially severe cases, the use of hormonal agents - prednisolone or dexamethasone - is indicated.

It is recommended to treat the affected surface with antibacterial drugs, and not only for infectious types of disease. It can also be used for other types in order to prevent the addition of a secondary infection. When the process is advanced (the animal is lethargic, body temperature rises), it is advisable to use antibiotics in the form of tablets or injections.

4 Therapy at home

Feline dermatitis can be treated with folk remedies, they must be used with the permission of a doctor and in addition to the main therapy:

1. 1. Galium aperine cleanses the surface of the skin and helps eliminate weeping ulcers.
2. 2. If there is no hypersensitivity to chamomile, decoctions are used to treat the skin every day; they have an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. 3. Calendula infusion helps with weeping erosions.
4. 4. The medicine Witch Hazel stops bleeding and has an antibacterial effect.

The most popular flea medications for cats

Drug treatment for dermatitis is prescribed by a veterinarian depending on the type of disease being diagnosed in each specific case.

The general mechanism of action of the drugs is as follows:

1. Relieving itching and swelling (with antihistamines).
2. Destroying or preventing infection by introducing antibiotics into the treatment regimen.

How to treat the disease depends on its forms and characteristics.

First of all, they get rid of the causes of the disease: remove fleas, ticks, lice eaters, change the diet, switching to hypoallergenic food, and replace the litter in the tray.

They are often hormonal in nature, but there is no need to worry about this - such medications do an excellent job of their direct tasks, that is, they relieve itching, swelling, redness, accelerate skin regeneration processes and promote the healing of microcracks.

Remember! Injections of antihistamines can relieve symptoms and temporarily alleviate the animal’s condition, but they do not have a therapeutic effect.

In the manifestation of allergic dermatitis, the main role is played by histamine, which is released by the cells of the body when an allergen enters it. It is its appearance that causes inflammation, swelling and itching. In this case, resort to antihistamines.

Currently, veterinarians use suprastin and diphenhydramine, but these drugs only eliminate symptoms. They also use hormonal drugs that interfere with the production of histamine, such as prednisolone, dexafort and dexamethasone.

Treating flea dermatitis at home

Treating your cat for fleas

The pricing policy for drugs even with the same active ingredient is different, but if for dogs it is very important to choose a good drug, since effective protection against ticks is important, then for cats this is not so important - cheaper drugs can also effectively kill fleas that bite an animal.

Itching control (advanced allergic process)

We must try to protect the cat from prolonged scratching.

To stop scratching and stop allergies, drugs based on glucocorticosteroids are used, in particular dexamethasone. The veterinary drug Dexafort is widely used in such cases.

The very first step in the fight against flea dermatitis, of course, is treating the animal for fleas. This can be any product purchased at a pet store. Nowadays, preference is given to drugs based on the active substance fipronil, as the most effective.

The pricing policy for drugs even with the same active ingredient is different, but if for dogs it is very important to choose a good drug, since effective protection against ticks is important, then for cats this is not so important - cheaper drugs can also effectively kill fleas that bite an animal.

The second step in managing allergies is controlling itching. Even after flea treatment, an advanced allergic process may persist, and the animal will continue to scratch itself, which negatively affects, first of all, the health of the coat and skin.

It effectively relieves itching, and in most cases one injection is enough to normalize the condition. If you continue to fight allergens, a second injection may not be necessary.

Video about fighting fleas with special collars (says a veterinarian)

There, doctors will determine whether there is a problem with fleas, whether scratching is really the result of an allergy, and will rule out other possible dermatological problems, because scratching and shedding of fur can be not only due to flea dermatitis, but also for many other reasons.

These include, for example, lichen, and a variety of microscopic mites that live on or in the skin of an animal.

And also, if the animal has severe itching, it must be “stopped” - that is, stopped for a while. This is done with an injection of a drug specifically designed to stop allergic reactions. This drug contains a glucocorticosteroid. Perhaps after this injection the itching will not recur.

Fighting allergies

Regardless of whether the cat was given an injection or not, you need to fight the very cause of the allergy. The mechanism of this fight is simple. It consists of two points.

1. Consistently strictly treat the cat with insecticidal drops three times at an interval of three weeks.
2. Giving anthelmintic drugs.
3. General cleaning and treatment of the premises with insecticidal agents intended for this purpose.

Intensive therapy for flea dermatitis

Despite the fact that the instructions indicate an interval of 4 weeks, in the case of flea dermatitis, “intensive therapy” is needed. This will not harm the cat's health. But in no case should you drip it more often, or especially every day - this can cause intoxication.

If there is no opportunity or desire to purchase such drops, you can separately buy flea drops and tablets or suspension for worms. Drops and tablets/suspension can be used at intervals of one day.

To do this, the cat's fur is parted and a drop of the drug is applied at several points. But you need to carefully ensure that none of these points are within the reach of the cat’s tongue.

Prevention

Owners can try to rid their beloved cats of atopic dermatitis by:

• Try to eliminate contact with the allergen,
• At least twice a week, owners must carry out wet cleaning of the living space,
• Old bedding on which the animal slept during illness should be thrown away. They can accumulate antigens from mites found in dust,
• Getting rid of excessively high humidity is required to prevent mold, mites and fleas from growing in the living space. To do this, cat owners will need to purchase dehumidifiers that remove several liters of water from the air during the day.

Atopic dermatitis is not a fatal diagnosis for a pet, but this disease is one of those diseases for which therapy is applied throughout the animal’s life.

In addition, you need to pay attention to your pet’s contacts with other animals: limit contact with stray cats as much as possible, pay attention to possible symptoms in your pet’s pet “friends”.

In no case should we forget about periodic deworming - helminthic infestations significantly reduce the cat's immunity, and therefore are an unfavorable factor in relation to dermatological diseases.

The prevention of allergic dermatitis requires special attention and effort. First of all, it is important for the owner to identify allergens and eliminate them from the environment. Mandatory cleaning of the premises includes the following activities:

• use of carbon and HEPA filters;
• treatment of bed carpets and furniture upholstery with anti-mite preparations;
• periodic disinfestation of the premises;
• The humidity in the room should be maintained at a level no higher than 40%; for this, air dehumidifiers can be used.

In addition, owners of cats with allergies must follow the correct diet for their pets and use medications with caution - food and medications can always cause an allergic reaction.

Try to examine the animal after walks for injuries and abrasions; you should also immediately treat it with antiseptics - chlorhexidine, meramistine.

Monitor your pet’s diet; do not suddenly switch it to another type of food; it is advisable to use proven and high-quality products from reliable manufacturers.

If you have any questions about dermatitis in cats, ask them in the comments - we will be happy to answer!

In order to prevent dermatitis from occurring in a cat, it is necessary, first of all, to provide high-quality care. Nutrition plays an important role. Low-quality products can not only provoke allergies, but also simply weaken the animal’s immunity, making it defenseless against disease.

Grooming is also of great importance. This is especially true for long-haired breeds. Regular bathing helps prevent the development of dermatitis. Brushing also has a positive effect. Grooming not only allows you to remove dead hair, but also serves as a kind of massage for the animal’s skin.

To avoid the occurrence of dermatitis, cats need good living conditions. And timely diagnosis will allow you to start treatment on time, and, if possible, prevent the disease.

Still have questions? Welcome to the comments section.

Treatment of dermatitis at home should be competent. To avoid illness, you need to inspect the cat's fur and check for damage.

Diet for allergic dermatitis

A special diet will be required no matter what type of allergic dermatitis your cat has. The best solution would be to switch to hypoallergenic food or prepare the most harmless food for your pet.

If your pet is not treated correctly, acute dermatitis can develop into a chronic form.

Typically, veterinarians advise switching cats to rabbit meat with rice, unless it is known that the rabbit meat protein is an allergen. This diet, even without treatment, can cause symptoms to disappear within three to four months.

Then the results obtained should be consolidated, and then stick to this diet.

Sprays and ointments for allergic dermatitis

As a rule, hydrocortisone ointment is used, but if there are infected scratches, its use is unacceptable. Certain drugs, such as “Stop Itching,” save the cat from itching and have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect due to the content of chloramphenicol and metronidazole.

Chronic indolent dermatitis is more difficult to cope with.