Common Diseases and Remedy
Allergies and Skin Conditions in Cats
Cats suffer from allergies as we do, and are often triggered off by fleas, inhalant allergens and foods. From allergies, they go on to develop skin problems and itching. This may lead to hair loss, severe coughing, wheezing, or vomiting.
Flea allergy: Allergies due to fleas are the commonest among cats, caused due to the protein from the flea’s saliva that gives rise to skin reactions. His sensitivity to flea bites generally increases with age, but can be kept under control with a flea control product. Ask a veterinarian for a flea control product such as prednisone or corticosteroids for severe cases.
Allergy triggers: Give your cat fish, eggs, milk, pork, chicken, turkey and beef and watch him get skin reactions. Allergies can strike at any age-it all depends on whether your cat has been eating allergy-producing food for long.
To find out which food your cat is allergic to, conduct an elimination diet or your veterinarian could give you a hypoallergenic diet for a period of 8-12 weeks during which time other foods can be expelled from the cat’s system.
Inhalant allergies: Seasonal changes can bring their own inhalant allergens such as pollens from trees, grass and weeds. Perennial inhalant allergens are usually molds, mildew and house dust mites. When cats inhale these allergens, they get a severe itch for which either a hypoallergenic shampoo is good or steroids. Sometimes, allergy immunotherapy or allergy shots also treat this problem.
Contact allergies: Allergens that cats come in contact with include grass, fabrics in the bedding, cat litter or rubber or plastic materials from their food bowls. Treat this problem by removing all offending allergen from your pet’s environment.
Skin problems: Cats experience a wide variety of skin problems such as:
Matted fur: This is where parasites breed easily and cause inflammatory skin diseases. Don’t cut the matted fur or you might injure the cat. Besides, mats are difficult to comb out in fact, you might have to sedate and shave the animal. To prevent mats from forming, groom your cat regularly.
Bald patches: When your cat is irritated by fleas, allergies, eczema, and ringworm, he will continue to scratch on the itchy spot. It could also be due to stress, but veterinarians prescribe hormone shots or tranquilizers to control the scratching. If it’s because of a worm, medication is given and clean bedding must be provided for.
Scratching: If your cat scratches his ears or shakes them after which you see black grime, you can be sure it’s ear mites. Ask your vet for ear drops as ear mites can remain in the ears but can be passed on from one cat to another if they groom each other.
Feline acne: Cats usually develop acne on the chin and mouth area. You can identify them as small black spots. Acne is caused due to a food allergy or a hundred other reasons.
Your cat may develop any of these problems, but with regular and genuine care, you can overcome all his allergies and skin problems.