Is psoriasis possible in cats? We answer the question in detail.

Eczema in cats is not as common as, for example, in dogs or other pets. But this disorder causes the same unpleasant symptoms and can lead to serious complications. The pathology is of a chronic type and is almost never cured; it can only be stopped and relapse can be avoided with supportive methods.

Eczema in cats

Since the disease is similar in its manifestation to atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen and other dermatological diseases, it is initially necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis from a veterinarian and prescribe treatment. Eczema can also be confused with flea dermatitis, the symptoms of which can be found on our portal.

An example of psoriasis in a cat

For eczema in cats, it is important to start therapy from the first symptoms, since the disease quickly progresses on the thin skin of the animal, spreading throughout the body.

Symptoms

Weeping eczema in cats is a disease that affects the epidermal layer without affecting the dermis itself.
Eczema is characterized by stages of development. The disease can occur in acute, subacute or chronic form. If eczema becomes chronic, most often it stops at one stage and stays there for a long time.

The acute form of weeping eczema, also called erytomatous, is characterized by the occurrence of changes on the skin in the form of hyperpigmentation of tissue structures and the formation of specific seals protruding above the surface. The development of the acute stage is characterized by the appearance of the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature;
• an increase in the size of the red spot;
• the appearance of uncomfortable, itchy sensations;
• there is no pain in the hyperemic area.

After a few days, the initial stage of eczema smoothly passes into the second. The papular form is characterized by the appearance of specific nodules on the reddened area, dense when palpated, resembling small poppy seeds. As soon as the grains merge into one, a vesicular form is formed. Vesicles are represented by peas filled with light-colored exudate.

The vesicular stage may have several scenarios. In the first case, the bubbles that appear and the liquid formed in them dissolve on their own, and the tissue structures dry out. The upper cells of the epidermis (corneocytes) exfoliate, and the skin becomes healthy in appearance.

In the second variant of the vesicular stage of eczema in a cat, the peas are opened under the pressure of the liquid inside. The cause of vesicle rupture may be mechanical scratching. Pathogenic bacterial microflora penetrates into exposed, unprotected areas. As a result, ulcers develop. Constant scratching, the appearance of new pustules, drying out of the top layer, leads to the fact that the skin acquires a purple tint and looks swollen. Ulcerative lesions appear on the skin of a cat affected by eczema. This stage is called pustular in medicine.

It is during this period that eczema is called weeping. At the site of development of the pathological process, there is a disturbance in hair growth. Areas of alopecia appear, as well as areas of fur stuck together from exudate.

Erosion on the skin in the form of weeping wounds in the absence of additional moisture gradually begins to crust over and dry out. Exudative processes are gradually decreasing. The fresh crusts that appear begin to darken, narrow and fall off. Hyperemia and swelling go away on their own after the crust falls off. There will be healthy, undamaged skin underneath.

In the absence of timely assistance, the acute and subacute stages of eczema become chronic, which is difficult to treat. The veterinarian's prognosis is cautious, closer to unfavorable.

In case of increased secretion of purulent exudate, the affected areas are completely covered with pus. The ulcerations become wider and go deeper into the skin. Cellulitis often develops; the process involves soft tissue structures located under the skin.

Diffuse purulent inflammation extends not only to the area of ​​subcutaneous tissue, but also affects muscle fibers along with tendons. In some cases, with chronic eczema, the internal organs of the animal are affected.

Symptoms of weeping diathesis

Dermatitis in dogs is a skin disease caused by biological, physical or chemical factors.
It affects the epidermis and dermis (layers of skin) and manifests itself as inflammation with accompanying symptoms. There are a very large number of dogs suffering from dermatitis of various origins. The tendency is noted in animals with white coat color (Maltese, bull terriers, English bulldogs, fox terriers), with folds (pugs, sharpeis, Neapolitan mastiffs, French bulldogs), with a “beard” (black Russian terrier, Airedale terrier, miniature and giant schnauzers), as well as in English and American cocker spaniels, golden retrievers and boxers.

The main symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in dogs:

1. The characteristic dog smell emanating from stray animals may also be present in a pet when it develops seborrhea.
2. Matte wool shade. Usually the coat is shiny, but with this disease it immediately becomes dull.
3. The fur is brittle, which causes excessive hair loss.
4. Dandruff in huge quantities, visible to the naked eye.
5. Itching is accompanied by constant sniffing of the animal.
6. Black spots on the skin.

To improve the condition of the skin and coat, special shampoos containing tar, salicylic acid and sulfur are used. If the diagnosis reveals a lack of nutrients in the body, vitamin supplements are prescribed.

Antifungal (Fluconazole) and antimicrobial (Ceftriaxone) agents can also be prescribed. Treatment with corticosteroid medications can be used to relieve itching.

Particular attention should be paid to the dog's diet. The veterinarian can choose the diet. It should contain the necessary nutrients and not cause allergies in the pet.

Weeping eczema is very painful, therefore, before carrying out any manipulations, it is advisable to numb these areas.

Air access must be provided to the affected areas of the skin. To do this, trim the hair around the eczema.

Then the wounds need to be treated with an antiseptic. This could be a tincture of St. John's wort, calendula, or a solution of chlorhexidine.

After this, treat the eczema with some kind of drying agent. Zinc ointment, zinc powder, and talc are suitable for this.

If the dog suffers from severe itching, then you can give it an antihistamine - Tavegil, Suprastin, Loratadine.

In addition, it is necessary to monitor the dog and not give it the opportunity to scratch its wounds. If the eczema does not heal, then the animal should be shown to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pet may need antibiotics to recover. In rare cases, a dog may be prescribed a hormonal drug.

Pododermatitis is found on the paws or pads of dogs. The main provoking factors include fungal and bacterial infections, allergies. The first symptoms that caring owners pay attention to are:

1. Constant, extremely thorough licking of paws. The limbs look wet and the skin is red and moist.
2. The appearance of wounds around the pads, between the fingers.
3. Bloody blisters on the extremities.
4. Swelling of the affected limb.
5. Pain occurs when walking. The dog begins to limp, it is hard for her to stand on her damaged paw.
6. The addition of a bacterial infection manifests itself in the form of pustules and abscesses.

If the lesions on the extremities are few, you can treat them and wait for the wounds to heal. In this case, antibiotics do not need to be used; it will be enough to treat the damaged areas with chlorhexidine or any antibacterial drug.

Despite the fact that dermatitis has many different causes, the symptoms of the diseases are similar. The danger lies in the subtlety of the signs in the first stages, if the dog is not white or has always been in excellent health. Most types of dermatitis can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• spots with redness on the skin;
• peeling;
• vesicles (bubbles with liquid);
• itching;
• a sweetish and unpleasant odor from the skin, a separate area of ​​it;
• redness or hair loss;
• the dog is constantly itching;
• There may be a depressed state, irritability.

Damaged areas of the skin in some cases have an increased temperature. If bacteria get on the wound, then “pimples” with purulent contents or discharge of pus are observed. Also, dermatitis is often characterized by discharge from the eyes, redness of the mucous membranes, and whites.

If traces of flea bites appear on the pet’s body, and upon careful examination the parasites themselves are found, then dermatitis will be called flea dermatitis. Its main features are as follows:

1. Dog biting the skin.
2. Itching and scratch marks on the skin.
3. Wounds due to injury to the skin by animals during scratching.
4. Loss of appetite, vomiting, problems with stool and stomach.
5. Balding areas of skin, partial hair loss.
6. Variable behavior: barking, occasional whining, irritability.

Weeping diathesis has a second name - scrofula. With this skin disease, the surface of the skin becomes dry and golden-yellow crusts appear on it. It was from the color of the crusts that the disease began to be called scrofula.

A small child experiences discomfort during the period of illness, as the spots spread quite quickly, itching appears, and the affected areas begin to itch. When the crust is removed, a wet spot of a reddish hue is formed. If treatment is not started in time, scrofula develops into a more serious disease.

This type of dermatitis develops when the dog is hypersensitive to the saliva and secretions of fleas (see photo), lice, lice and other ectoparasites. Sometimes just one flea is enough for the dog to start itching frantically, becoming covered in dandruff, rashes, weeping scratches and starting to go bald. Treatment is required for severe forms of the disease; in other cases, it is enough to destroy the fleas.

With this form of dermatitis, thickening or ulceration may be visible on the back of the paws in the wrist area. Plaques can be found on the ankles and sometimes even between the toes.

Of course, it is advisable to contact a specialist when the first stains are detected. Do not be afraid of such a diagnosis, as there are a large number of drugs that can eliminate the symptoms. The only condition is not to delay treatment.

First of all, review your child's diet. Under no circumstances should you give allergenic foods.

These include sweets, citrus fruits, nuts, mushrooms, fatty and smoked dishes. Most often, the cause of weeping diathesis is food, so when they are excluded, the patient’s condition begins to improve.

If the baby is breastfed, the mother should stop eating eggs, meat, milk, red vegetables and fruits.

To quickly eliminate golden spots, use special ointments. Experts in the field of dermatology advise lubricating the affected areas with zinc ointment, Vishnevsky ointment or the modern drug Bepanten. "Bepanten" allows you to protect your baby's skin and protect against various skin diseases.

Describing the symptoms of each type of dermatitis separately is a rather pointless task, since all these diseases manifest themselves approximately the same way. So, when is it time to take your pet to the vet? Firstly, if for no apparent reason some suspicious red spots appear on your dog’s skin.

As a rule, the local body temperature in these places is significantly higher than normal. You can also find out that it is probably unpleasant for the dog to probe the areas of suspected dermatitis, since in many cases this is accompanied by a strong pain reaction.

It is very bad if a dog constantly licks the same place. This is often the manifestation of thermal damage or the consequences of contact with some chemicals.

Yes, saliva in dogs contains a lot of lysozyme, but natural behavior leads to the development of acral dermatitis, its transition to a weeping, purulent form. So, in this case, you obviously shouldn’t expect a “natural cure”, since the animal definitely won’t get any better.

Skin diseases in pets are a real joy. They cause our pets a lot of suffering and inconvenience, and the animals develop severe itching. There are also more dangerous consequences, such as generalized sepsis and even the death of the pet. From time to time, psoriasis in dogs is also discussed in the veterinary literature, and each time these discussions escalate into intense debate. Why does this happen?

It is probably difficult to find a person who, at least once in his life, has not seen or heard about advertising of “miracle remedies” intended for the treatment of psoriasis. Moreover, people's interest in this topic is constantly high. This is due to the severity and aesthetic unpleasantness of the disease. Few people think about whether psoriasis is possible in cats. However, veterinarians also have no consensus on this matter.

Eczema in dogs is very common. Like any dermatological disease, it can occur in acute or chronic form with the formation of dry or weeping lesions. Unfortunately, in most cases, due to illiterate treatment or the inability to find the true cause, it still becomes chronic, although sometimes acute eczema goes away on its own and no longer bothers the animal.

It's no secret that dogs' wounds heal very quickly. There is even a saying: “Heals like a dog!” Let's figure out how healing dog saliva is and whether it really is so.

Even in ancient China, dog saliva was used to treat wounded soldiers. For this purpose, special “medical” dogs were kept at hospitals, which were allowed to visit patients and lick wounds with their tongues. In Rus', they also knew about the medicinal properties of dog saliva. As popular wisdom says: “A cat has a hundred diseases in its mouth, but a dog has a hundred recipes.”

To treat wounds, dermatitis and even fungal diseases, in pre-revolutionary times they used dog saliva. Sour cream was applied to the area affected by the fungus and the dog licked it off with pleasure, granting recovery to the owner. There is information that childhood scoliosis was treated in the same way. The dog licked sour cream from the child’s back, as a result of which scoliosis of the first and second degrees was cured. The influence of massage, or dog saliva, or both.

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Causes

The following factors contribute to the occurrence of eczema:

• Traumatic.
• Neuropathic.
• Reflex.
• Interior.

Traumatic eczema

It occurs as a result of damage from accessories rubbing the skin, arthropod bites, frostbite, burns, and trauma from the claws of the cats themselves. The disease occurs in a weeping form and quickly stops after its cause is eliminated.

Neuropathic eczema

It is the result of stress or a congenital anomaly. This type of eczema is characterized by symmetrical bilateral skin lesions. It occurs in dry and wet form. The disease is characterized by remissions and exacerbations under the influence of stress factors.

Reflex eczema

It is a hypersensitive response to a stimulus. The reaction occurs under the influence of the following allergens:

• Arthropod saliva.
• Household items.
• Food allergens.
• Atopic dermatitis.
• Dust.
• Accessories.

Internal factors

Internal causes of eczema are associated with organ pathologies, irrational feeding, and hormonal perversions. Signs of the disease disappear when the factor that caused them is eliminated.

Causes of eczema

Veterinary specialists distinguish several reasons leading to the development of the disease in domestic cats. They are usually classified into groups according to the type of disease they cause.

Reflex

The causes of this group affect the skin both externally and internally.
Of the external factors, mechanical, thermal, chemical and microbial influences most often lead to the development of eczema. Mechanical causes - friction, scratching for skin diseases, exposure to external parasites. Thermal factors include exposure to cold, hot air, burns and frostbite on the skin. This group also includes exposure to ionizing radiation on animals.
The causes of skin diseases of a chemical nature include irritating acids, alkalis, chemicals, aggressive detergents, medications in the form of ointments, purulent discharge during inflammatory processes.

Exposure to skin microorganisms can be both a direct and indirect cause of the development of eczema.

Experts include diseases of animal organs as internal irritants: thyroid, liver, ovaries, kidneys, intestines. The products of inflammatory reactions, spreading through the bloodstream, have an irritating and sensitizing effect on skin cells.

Often the cause of the reflex form of the disease is an allergic reaction of the body to a particular allergen.

We recommend reading about lichen in domestic cats. You will learn about the causes of the disease, mechanisms of infection, signs of the disease, diagnosis and prevention. And here is more information about how to treat ear mites in a cat.

Neuropathic

The cause of the disease is vegetative disorders caused by genetic pathologies and congenital diseases. Stress is one of the main mechanisms that triggers the neuropathic form of pathology. Eczema due to neuropathic causes usually has a poor prognosis.

Traumatic

Tick ​​bites
The triggering cause is various wounds, mechanical irritations of the skin, abrasions, and insect bites.

Factors such as inadequate feeding, impaired vitamin and mineral metabolism, and hormonal changes can also provoke the development of one form or another of the disease.

Treatment

In cats, treatment can be quite lengthy, the prognosis depends on the cause of the disease, for example, the neuropathic form is less treatable than others. In any case, a preliminary consultation with a specialist is required, a series of examinations that will help to describe the treatment regimen as accurately as possible.

The principles of therapy for dermatosis in cats are similar to therapy for humans, the same means are used. If it worsens, the veterinarian will prescribe injections; to treat the affected areas, the hair around them should be carefully trimmed.

The following drugs and groups of drugs are used for therapy:

For dry eczema, moisturizers are used to help soften the affected area and prevent peeling and cracking. For cats, it is recommended to use Vaseline, baby creams without fragrances and fragrances. To disinfect affected skin, antiseptics should be used. They are applied before using basic products, most often potassium alum, tannin solution, formaldehyde. For weeping eczema, dust, bismuth salts, and rivanol will be effective. To have a drying effect, the usual brilliant green and iodine are prescribed; for disinsection of the affected area, ethyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are prescribed. External treatment often requires the use of hormonal ointments. Steroids are prescribed for complications; they not only speed up recovery, but also alleviate the general condition of the pet

But hormonal medications for cats should be used with great caution to prevent side effects. Among the most effective remedies are Triderm, Advantan, and hydrocortisone ointments. Non-hormonal creams are used for topical treatment after taking corticosteroids

The drugs are taken for a month until remission occurs. Among the most effective are Radevit, Pikhtoin, Saphroderm and others. Antibiotics are used as part of antimycotic and antibacterial therapy for cats, but only a veterinarian can prescribe a specific drug after examination. The most suitable powders for pets are Tsamax, Ranosan, Anandin, tetracycline ointment, Vedinol and others.

To speed up a cat’s recovery, vitamin complexes and medications are often prescribed to strengthen the immune system and improve skin regeneration. Weeping eczema is the most difficult to treat, requiring additional action. Usually, doctors, along with traditional therapeutic methods, prescribe a number of folk remedies that help cope with the disease and significantly alleviate the animal’s condition.

Traditional methods of treatment

Eczema in cats can be treated using traditional methods, but only after consultation with a veterinarian. There are many methods, but all of them are external and are recommended as an addition to the main therapy.

The following recipes are recommended for pets:

1. Decoctions from willow bark. Making such a remedy is very simple, you need to brew two tablespoons of bark in a glass of water (about 10 minutes), then cool the solution and wash the wounds with it several times a day.
2. Tinctures of dandelion and burdock roots. To do this, you can use dried or fresh ingredients; they are infused in 0.5 liters. vodka in an amount of 2 full tablespoons of each component. Preparation time: 10 days; infuse in a dark place. The resulting tincture is applied to areas of skin damage in the evening and in the morning, treatment time is a week. The tincture relieves itching, relieves discomfort and other symptoms.
3. An infusion of fresh currant leaves is well suited for washing wounds. A handful of leaves should be brewed in two glasses of boiling water, left for an hour, then cooled and used for procedures.
4. For dry eczema, a compress based on regular sunflower oil and celery works well. The crushed root must be mixed with oil (only unrefined oil is suitable), after which the resulting product is used for compresses. This remedy removes itching, swelling, and alleviates the pet’s condition. Compresses can also be made at the stage when bubbles appear.
5. Ointment based on celandine. Only a fresh plant is used for preparation; the ointment can be stored in the refrigerator for about a year. For preparation, a gruel of crushed celandine and petroleum jelly is used in a ratio of 1:4. The product should be applied 2-3 times a day, treating the affected areas.

Eczema is a disease caused by poor nutrition, emotional discomfort, and poor pet hygiene.

It is very important to immediately contact a veterinarian at the first signs of illness, as complications will be much more difficult to get rid of.

Question answer

A cat has eczema - can it be transmitted to humans?

No, the disease is not directly transmitted to humans. The exception is those moments when a person has skin lesions that were in direct contact with the purulent discharge of a cat’s weeping eczema. In such cases, complications of these injuries can sometimes occur. In all other cases, it is enough to simply wash your hands after contact with a sick animal and that’s it.

How to treat eczema in a cat?

Treatment should be carried out by a specialist, because The disease is complex and capricious. Cases have been recorded where the disease persists throughout her life, no matter what treatment was given. In any case, the general therapeutic course includes: antibiotics (orally and/or by injection), local treatments with ointments and creams with a complex effect (hormonal, antipruritic, antibacterial), surface rinsing with antiseptic solutions, intravenous drips, hepatoprotectors.

What is the difference between weeping eczema and dry eczema?

The names of the pathologies speak for themselves. A skin area with a moist surface in a cat without hair, moist, shiny, with ichor and sometimes with pus. Dry - has no signs of wetting, but has flaky areas with scratches, dried crusts, rashes, baldness, etc.

What are the main signs of eczema?

If you notice areas of redness, swelling, rashes or blisters with liquid contents, large weeping wounds, areas of baldness and flaky areas of skin that are hot, you can be sure that your pet is developing eczema. At the same time, in the veterinary clinic it is important to exclude ringworm and scabies (intradermal mites).

Is it possible to prevent eczema in cats?

Yes, it's quite possible. To do this you should:

• carry out regular treatments for worms and cutaneous and intradermal parasites;
• regularly inspect your pet’s skin, especially if you notice that the animal is licking or scratching itself a lot;
• feeding only those foods that do not or potentially will not cause an allergic reaction;
• timely replacement of collars and leashes for walks, do not wear them at all if the first signs of irritation are noticed;
• monitor your general health and promptly treat internal diseases;
• protect the animal from stress.

Dangerous skin diseases of cats

Caused by internal pathologies or quickly progress to the stage of exacerbation, life-threatening.

Demodicosis

Microscopic mites are very active. Poisoning from bites spreads so quickly and abundantly that many cases of death are known.

In a mild form, white pimples with pus, partial baldness, red crusts, scratching and a small rash are noticeable on the skin. Over a long period of time, the cat easily scratches the pustules until they become ulcers, introduces infections and bacteria, becomes very weak, and loses appetite.

Demodicosis in cats

Ostiofolliculitis

Ulcers are located in hair follicles. The hair bag becomes clogged with sebum, becomes inflamed, and a staphylococcal bacillus settles inside the bag. If the disease is not treated at the beginning, it quickly progresses into acute furunculosis and peptic ulcer.

It can be detected by redness around the roots of the hairs, purulent pimples up to the size of a pea, burst blisters with crusts on top. The cat becomes restless and does not allow itself to be petted, as touching causes pain.

Ostiofolliculitis

Abscesses

Inflammation in the form of a soft cyst or lump on the skin. There is a lot of purulent exudate inside it. It starts to smell after it bursts and the liquid leaks onto the skin. The smell is especially pungent and unpleasant. Large abscesses greatly impair immunity. The cat may contract an infection during treatment. Therapy is also not fast. Drains are placed in the burst wound to remove all remaining fluid. We have to use strong antibiotics.

Abscesses on a cat's neck

Malasseziosis

Fungal infection. One of the most difficult to treat skin diseases in cats. Diagnosis is difficult and the course is protracted. Treatment requires heavy drugs that harm the rest of the body.

The characteristic smell gives off mold, spoiled cheese or milk. In the groin, near the back opening, behind the ears, near the mouth, claws and nose, you can find redness, rashes, moisture, and sores. The skin becomes painful, so the animal cannot be handled, hisses, and scratches. Relapses occur frequently and for a long time.

Malasseziasis is one of the most difficult to treat skin diseases in cats.

Ringworm

Pathology of an infectious fungal nature. Kittens and cats with oncology or weakened immunity after viruses are more often susceptible.

Fungal spores can be brought to your pet on street clothes or shoes. Spread occurs through household items and personal contact between animals.

The cat is actively losing hair on its head, limbs and tail. The skin in exposed areas peels, itches, becomes very red and pink. In these areas, pustules and crusts appear, which are easily scratched off with claws to open wounds. The disease can gain momentum for up to 2 years. With this course, the pet quickly weakens, loses weight, stops eating and may die from exhaustion. During this period, it is easiest to become infected with fatal infections, since the body does not have the strength to resist viruses. In severe cases, the ulcers spread to the paw pads and it becomes difficult to move.

Ringworm

Treatment without the participation of a doctor is impossible.

Atopic dermatitis

Chronic allergic reaction of the skin to irritants. The body reacts to dust, mold, pollen, household chemicals, and food with severe itching, rashes, hair loss, and ulcers. The cat will scratch especially a lot on the head, ears, chest, neck, lower abdomen and thighs. Dermatitis is severe and weakens the animal. Ulcers are constant and profuse. It is difficult to select living conditions and food for the safe living of a pet.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic allergic reaction of the skin to irritants

Cushing's syndrome

A rare hormonal disease, a reaction to too high levels of cortisol in the blood. Side effect of pituitary disease, adrenal tumors, injections and oral corticosteroids.

The cat suffers from thinning skin, acne with a small amount of pus. It scratches them off, which can result in difficult-to-heal wounds. The disease causes gluttony, a swollen abdomen, constant thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, muscle weakness, and hair loss.

Treatment is long and difficult. A severe metabolic disorder in the body may occur, leading to exhaustion and diabetes.

Cushing's syndrome is a rare hormonal disease, a reaction to too high levels of cortisol in the blood.

About the causes

There are a lot of predisposing factors for these pathologies; we will list only the main ones:

• Allergies. Food allergies are especially common, as well as reactions to flea bites, household chemicals, etc.
• Bacterial infections.
• Mycoses and candidiasis (in other words, diseases of fungal etiology).
• Parasitic skin infections. For example, ticks and lice.
• Allergic reactions due to helminthic infestations.
• Autoimmune diseases (perhaps the only case when we can really talk about an analogue of psoriasis in animals).
• Poor quality, inadequate feeding of the animal, as a result of which its body does not receive enough nutrients, micro- and macroelements. The lack of vitamins A and E affects the skin condition especially hard.
• Hormonal pathologies.
• Idiosyncrasies (unknown causes).

Allergic skin diseases

Many breeders associate the word “allergy” with a runny nose, watery eyes and other minor troubles. This is partly true, but allergic reactions in practice are much more dangerous. In particular, they are considered the main cause of incurable and deadly diseases, but even in “moderate” cases of pathology, these pathologies can cause a lot of trouble.

Allergic dermatitis

Dermatitis is a pathology accompanied by inflammation of the skin. Accordingly, in this case, the inflammation is caused by a serious allergic reaction.

Firstly, the latter leads to a catastrophic weakening of the skin’s protective mechanisms, which is why it can no longer resist the action of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora.

Secondly, a much worse option is possible: due to increased vascular permeability, lymphocytes begin to migrate en masse into the thickness of the epithelium. This effect is called lymphocytic or neutrophil infiltration and, by the way, it often leads to the development of autoimmune inflammation. Stress factors accelerate and intensify the pathological process.

Symptoms of allergic dermatitis in cats

Unlike “simple” inflammations, the symptoms of which develop over a long period of time, allergies are lightning fast. Just yesterday, your cat could just be itching, and by morning, large areas of her skin would become inflamed. It becomes swollen, turns red, and acquires a slightly “watery” consistency of dense jelly.

Another sign of the allergic nature of the disease is always itching. It is so strong and exhausting that the cat can tear off shreds of skin by scratching it furiously. All this leads not only to the formation of many scratches and even wounds on the skin, but also to its purulent inflammation (due to the ubiquitous pathogenic microflora).

Treatment

First, it is necessary to stop the allergic reaction, which is quite enough to treat mild and unadvanced cases.

The animal is prescribed loading doses of antihistamines (which include the widely used Diphenhydramine).

To prevent the development of secondary bacterial infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.

To eliminate diffuse areas of inflammation, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids are needed. Their advantage is that they significantly reduce the risk of developing autoimmune pathologies. The most common and effective medication is prednisolone. Its average dose is 0.1 mg per kilogram of live weight (once a day).

Often these drugs have to be used for a long time, several weeks. To shorten the treatment period, it is much more practical to simultaneously administer dexamethasone. This remedy allows you to reduce the dose of corticosteroids and reduce the period of their use.

Milliary dermatitis

One of the varieties of the previous pathology. However, this disease has specific features that make it possible to distinguish it into a separate subsection.

Symptoms

The disease also begins with severe itching and swelling, but edematous phenomena are rare, and instead of them numerous nodular rashes appear on the skin. Hair falls out en masse on the affected areas of the body, and the pet’s resting places are simply littered with it.

Treatment is similar to that for ordinary allergic dermatitis.

Allergic eczema

In many ways, this disease is similar to the previous one, but still it differs in a number of specific aspects, which is why these pathologies should not be considered comprehensively.

Symptoms

• It all starts with an itch.
• Soon, slight redness appears on the skin of the sick animal.
• Red spots turn into ulcers and erosions. They are instantly contaminated with secondary bacterial microflora, resulting in purulent inflammation with itching.
• The inflamed areas are very painful, the sick cat’s condition quickly deteriorates, and he refuses to eat.
• The fur on the affected areas partially falls out and partially sticks together due to pus.
• The skin along the boundaries of healthy and inflamed areas macerates and swells.

Treatment

Similar to the treatment of allergic dermatitis. It differs only in large doses of corticosteroids, the mandatory prescription of large quantities of antihistamines (to quickly relieve itching) and dexamethasone.

Additionally, broad-spectrum antibiotics, without which it will not be possible to cope with bacterial inflammation.

What is psoriasis

This is a special, specific disease of a non-inflammatory nature. The name of the disease is a direct copy of the ancient Greek word psoriasis, which can be translated as “pruritus.” Indeed, patients often scratch themselves, as their own skin begins to cause many problems for its owners. This happens because the outer layer of the epidermis sharply becomes coarser, scales appear on the skin, which is why the patient begins to resemble a fish that accidentally ended up on the shore and has already dried out.

So, do cats get psoriasis? After all, these animals can often experience symptoms similar to the clinical manifestations of this disease in humans. The affected skin begins to itch very much, and sometimes the pet literally twists from attacks of acute “scratchiness”. But almost all veterinary specialists believe that psoriasis does not occur in cats. There are few exceptions. So, Professor B.S. Jablenik, who worked on the problems of skin diseases of domestic animals in the 40s of the last century, had the opposite opinion.

It is known that the scientist was able to experimentally cause a disease similar to psoriasis in dogs. As for cats, during experiments their skin was covered with scabs and scales, but... But still, today researchers believe that psoriasis is an exclusively human “sore”, caused by specific factors of an autoimmune nature. As for B. S. Yablenik’s research, he simply did not have the methods and research technologies that we have now. It is very likely that the scientist was able to cause not psoriasis, but a certain form of eczema, very similar to it. It is for this reason that the symptoms of psoriasis in cats are (most likely) signs of similar skin diseases.

So, if you notice that your pet’s skin seems to have “dried up” and has begun to peel off heavily, then you should not immediately classify the cat as a psoriasis “class.” In 99% of cases, such symptoms indicate severe eczema or miliary dermatitis. So it’s still not worth treating “psoriasis” - no one has yet proven that it occurs in cats at all.

Types of eczema in cats

Eczema in cats can take different forms, it all depends on the provoking factors, general living conditions, and nutrition. It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis on your own, so at the first symptoms of the disease you should consult a veterinarian. Only in this way will the cat be given the correct treatment with the necessary effectiveness.

Experts distinguish three forms of dermatosis in animals:

1. Neuropathic eczema. Most often caused by disorders of the autonomic nervous system, the main causes are stress, genetic disorders, and some congenital diseases of the pet.
2. Traumatic dermatosis. Most often it appears with skin irritations, damage to the epidermis, cracks, and abrasions. This phenomenon is usually observed in those cats that constantly wear tight collars. The traumatic form is diagnosed in unkempt animals, with poor personal hygiene, and with lesions from blood-sucking parasites.
3. The reflex form can be provoked by various factors, including the presence of allergic reactions, numerous flea or tick bites, and pathologies of internal organs.

In addition, there are types of diseases such as dry and weeping eczema in cats. In the first case, cracks, peeling, swelling appear on the surface of the skin and severe itching is observed. The weeping form is characterized by the formation of blisters and wounds that cause serious suffering to the pet.

Diagnosis of the disorder

Usually, during the initial examination, the veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis, taking into account the existing symptoms of the disorder. But to identify the root cause of eczema in a cat, a full examination of the internal organs is required. This is also necessary for the preparation of complex therapy for a quick cure and to prevent re-exacerbation in the future.

Treatment of eczema in cats is carried out only under the supervision of a veterinarian

If a cat is suspected of having eczema, it is imperative that skin scrapings are prescribed, which refute or confirm the presence of other dermatological diseases. Cultures are carried out in cases of infectious lesions and suspicions of them.

Allergy tests, general urine and blood tests are used as additional diagnostics. You can also read about the details of preparing a cat for urine and blood tests, and deciphering the results, on our portal.

If necessary, blood biochemistry and a biopsy of affected tissues are taken.

To diagnose the disease, your pet will have to undergo several tests, including a biopsy.

Symptoms and treatment of feline eczema

Regardless of the reasons for the appearance of inflammation in the upper layer of the epidermis, the signs of the disease are the same.

1. The very first symptom is redness. This occurs as a result of the fact that it is in this area of ​​the dermis that there is lymph and blood circulation.
2. Itching. The place where the inflammation began is itchy, and the cat persistently tries to scratch it. Toxins accumulate in tissues, nerve endings are irritated - this is why itching occurs.
3. If you touch a red area of ​​skin, you can record an increased temperature in this spot. Sensitivity also increases.
4. As a result of intoxication, bubbles appear. In the dry form, the blisters burst and the skin peels off; usually this form is characteristic of a chronic course. In the wet form, liquid leaks from the ruptured blisters, and the wound is constantly wet. This occurs due to infection of the inflamed area. Scratched wounds receive pyogenic microflora, which provokes wet, festering wounds.

Treatment

The diagnosis must be made by a specialist and treatment prescribed.

Primary measures:

1. Isolate the cat from drafts and cold places.
2. Treat against fleas, worms and free her from the collar (if she is wearing) during treatment.
3. If eczema is a secondary disease against the background of inflammation of internal organs (this is also determined by a veterinarian), the underlying disease must be treated.
4. Analyze your pet’s diet, eliminate potential allergens, and introduce vitamins.
5. It is better to shave the affected area, this will avoid infection, and also treat it with alcohol or Chlorhexidine.

Treatment with drugs:

1. To reduce a cat's irritability, bromine is recommended.
2. To normalize skin sensitivity, sodium thiosulfate is needed.
3. Antihistamines: Suprastin, Diphenhydramine.
4. Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone and Dexamethasone are effective in treating eczema.
5. Furosemide is needed as a diuretic to rid the body of toxins.
6. Weeping eczema in cats requires treatment with Chlorhexidine, peroxide or Miramistin.
7. To provide an astringent effect, a solution of tannin or silver nitrate is required.
8. Zinc ointment is suitable for drying pappules.
9. If a cat has dry eczema, Vishnevsky ointment helps.

Folk remedies are also appropriate in the treatment of eczema.

1. Treatment of the affected area with chamomile decoction, calendula solution, oak decoction (has an astringent effect) is effective.
2. St. John's wort oil removes dry eczema and accelerates cell regeneration.
3. Aloe juice has a wound healing effect.

Disease prognosis

Eczema can occur in acute and chronic forms. Acute is typical for young cats, chronic - for cats over 6 years old, as well as for weakened pets.

The acute form can last about a month, and intensive treatment is effective in combating it.

Dogs, cats and psoriasis: causes, symptoms and treatment approaches

Psoriasis is a rather complex disease that damages the skin with pockets of erosion. The seriousness of the disease is that an autoimmune reaction develops over time. An interesting fact is that this pathology is characteristic not only of humans, but psoriasis is also observed in animals.

Causes and symptoms of psoriasis in dogs

Skin problems in dogs are a fairly common phenomenon that impairs their healthy lifestyle. One of the most common diseases is psoriasis.

Veterinarians identify several main causes of canine psoriasis:

• eating junk food. Deficiency of micro- and macroelements can be the main cause of skin problems in dogs;
• stressful state. Dogs, like people, can be exposed to stress, and it becomes one of the main problems in the development of psoriasis. The dog becomes restless due to psychogenic changes;
• allergies, including bites from fleas, lice, and ticks. In case of allergic reactions, it is worth identifying the cause of their occurrence and eliminating it;
• Taking certain medications can provoke autoimmune reactions.

As a rule, the disease begins to manifest itself with the appearance of reddish lumps. Next, baldness of the skin occurs in the affected area. The dog's face loses hair especially rapidly. A constant severe itching appears, causing discomfort to the animal.

Most often, animals are affected by the disease in the head and tail.

If you look closely, you can detect the formation of a thin crust. When scratching with claws, inflamed wounds and suppuration are formed, the cause of which is the ingress of microbes. The skin becomes covered with scales with secretions and becomes bright red.

Does psoriasis occur in cats?

Pet lovers often ask whether feline psoriasis exists. There is no clear opinion on this matter.

Most veterinarians agree that the scaling and itching experienced by cats is some form of eczema, which is similar to psoriasis.

Pathologies associated with the skin in cats are not uncommon and become a common reason for visiting the veterinarian. Psoriatic symptoms that appear in cats are most likely caused by other similar diseases, such as eczema, miliary dermatitis or allergic manifestations.

Treatment of disease in animals

At the first appearance of psoriasis plaques in a dog, you should seek help from a veterinarian. Treatment usually involves taking medications and prescribing a diet.

Maintaining hygiene and diet

The most common cause of psoriasis in dogs is a tight collar that rubs the skin. First of all, to make your pet’s life more comfortable, you should loosen the collar or replace it with a new one.

It is recommended to carry out water procedures more often to remove contaminants from diseased areas.

The dog's diet also plays a role in this disease. One of the important conditions is a significant reduction in meat products in the diet.

It is advisable to increase the consumption of dairy and fermented milk foods. Also, for a dog with psoriasis, vegetables should predominate every day.

Drug therapy

Treatment with medications begins with a course of injections of vitamin A and C. Vitamins are necessary to maintain the immune system. Sometimes intravenous injections with a 10% calcium chloride solution are used.

A relatively good therapeutic result is obtained by blood transfusion, which is taken from a vein and injected intramuscularly. Zinc ointment is quite common in treatment, which can be purchased at a pharmacy without much difficulty.

A component such as zinc oxide contained in the ointment dries out the scales and helps renew the skin cells. Has an effective softening effect.

Vishnevsky ointment and boric vaseline work well. The ointment is applied several times during the day. Some medications prescribed for psoriasis in humans are also suitable for treating dogs.

These are mainly corticosteroid drugs. These include ointments such as Triderm, Lorinden, Fluinar, etc. There are many positive reviews about Yam BK ointment, specially designed for the treatment of scaly diseases in animals.

A fairly effective bactericidal agent used for external use. The lanolin and petroleum jelly contained in it can have a gentle effect on diseased areas. The ointment effectively removes peeling and irritation in the upper layer of the dermis and softens the skin.

The active components of this ointment are good at killing pathogens of fungal infections. This veterinary drug is non-toxic and completely safe for animals, regardless of their age. This ointment accelerates skin regeneration and helps faster healing of wounds.

The ointment is used until symptoms disappear completely. To relieve your pet of anxiety, you can combine ointments with Novocaine solution. Since psoriasis causes inflammation due to invading microbes, the use of powder powders is recommended.

They are quite effective in combating inflammatory and other side effects due to their antibacterial properties. If psoriasis in an animal is caused by an allergic reaction, then it is possible to prescribe antihistamines, for example Suprastin.

Diuretics also have an effective effect, helping to eliminate toxins more quickly. Various gels and creams for psoriasis are also widely used.

Before applying the medicine, it is advisable to disinfect the areas affected by plaques in advance. You will need to trim the hair on the affected area.

As a last resort, they resort to grease ointments or grease itself. A rather inconvenient procedure due to the smell and the possibility of soiling household items for animals. However, the result will not be long in coming, since this remedy is very effective.

Folk remedies

Homemade herbal recipes will be a good addition to the main treatment. Herbs are known to have medicinal effects and provide positive effects, significantly relieving symptoms.

The body also strengthens the immune system, which is very important for such a problem. A decoction of oak bark is very effective when used externally. It contains properties that can reduce inflammation and the number of scales.

Also has a disinfecting effect. One of the recipes with the addition of oak bark is a mixture of rose hip ash, egg white, grease and celandine. The mixture is infused in a warm place for two weeks.

Well suited as a lotion for psoriatic plaques. Chamomile decoction has a positive effect on the treatment of psoriasis in animals. Chamomile has many healing qualities, including a calming and disinfecting effect.

To get a decoction, you need to combine 1 tablespoon of dried flowers and 250 ml of boiled water. Keep in a steam bath for 15 minutes. It is very good to use as a lotion several times a day.

The resulting mixture of starch and iodine gives positive results; glycerin also softens the skin well.

In order not to provoke the appearance of psoriasis, you should properly care for your pet, monitor its diet and hygiene.

Nutrition should be balanced and contain a sufficient amount of useful elements. You should also protect the animal from tick bites, which can provoke the development of psoriasis.

If, after all, the disease has overtaken your pet, then carry out treatment procedures as quickly as possible to make his life easier.

on this topic

About skin diseases in dogs in the video:

Source: https://psoriazonline.ru/diagnostika/u-zhivotnyih.html

Prevention of skin diseases in cats

Prevention includes the following measures:

• timely treatment of the skin from cutaneous and subcutaneous parasites;
• annual vaccination;
• compliance with hygiene standards;
• proper nutrition;
• regular cleaning of carpets;
• washing floors and toys;
• wearing flea and tick collars;
• inspection of the animal after a walk.

Once a skin disease is detected, the animal must be under constant supervision. It is necessary to give your pet medications in a timely manner, carry out the necessary treatment, and monitor his well-being.

Video

Prevention

Prevention of dermatitis consists of a balanced diet, adequate walks in the fresh air and under the dim sun. To avoid diaper rash after washing, the pet is thoroughly dried.

If treatment is carried out, the response to medications is closely monitored. It is necessary to wash and comb your dog regularly, the frequency depends on the type of coat and the characteristics of the body.

Once every 2-3 months, regular dog shampoo can be replaced with a special one based on herbs or with the addition of Chlorhexidine or birch tar.

Important! A predisposition to dermatitis, especially allergic and seborrheic, is transmitted from the dog's ancestors. Therefore, sick pets should be excluded from breeding.

• Firstly, during pregnancy, childbirth and feeding puppies, the body of bitches weakens, and this impairs resistance to bacteria and infections.
• Secondly, the offspring will receive the same problems and will pass them on.