Common Cat Skin Diseases & Medication Treatments Guide

When it comes to feline dermatitis, it's not just ringworm that cats have to worry about. There are also mange, eczema, ear mites, folliculitis, and more. Each type of skin condition requires a different medication, and improper use can not only fail to control the condition effectively but may even worsen it!

Not only does skin disease affect a cat's appearance, but it can also lead to symptoms like itching, pain, and hair loss, and in severe cases, it can disrupt their normal life. Therefore, it's crucial to be able to identify different types of skin diseases in cats and treat them accordingly!

Common Feline Skin Diseases and Treatment Plans:

1. Ringworm (Fungal Infection)

Causes: Ringworm is one of the most common feline skin diseases, usually caused by fungi such as Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Symptoms: Localized hair loss, itching, increased dandruff, and circular or elliptical ring spots with clear borders. The skin may become red or crusty.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Small areas: Use saline solution to remove dandruff and crusts, then apply Dasuining (Compound Ketoconazole Ointment), Pipute (Tebuconazole Hydrochloride Spray), or Clotrimazole Ointment locally.

(2) Large areas: Use topical antifungal medications plus oral itraconazole, terbinafine, or ketoconazole antifungal drugs. Ensure your cat receives a supplement of multivitamin B and fish oil to boost their immunity.

Note: Cats under 3 months of age cannot take oral antifungal medications!

2. Feline Eczema

Causes: Damp living conditions, longterm unclean skin, not drying off thoroughly after a bath, allergies, and more.

Symptoms: Local blisters, papules, and erythema, which may lead to local erosion and a moist skin surface when the blisters break.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Mild: Use saline solution to wipe daily, maintain a dry and clean environment.

(2) Moderate: Saline solution wiping + iodine tincture + Fu'ant (Zinc Oxide Ointment) for antibacterial and astringent effects.

(3) Severe: Saline solution + iodine tincture + zinc oxide ointment + Nuimeino (Chlorphenamine Maleate Tablets) (oral antiallergic medication).

3. Feline Ear Mites

Causes: Longterm lack of deworming, dirty environment, and not cleaning ear secretions regularly, leading to ear mite infections.

Symptoms: Ear itching, pain, and an unpleasant smell. The external ear canal may produce a large amount of brownish waxy secretions, and the cat may frequently shake its head and scratch its ears.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Ear medication: Use Erufen (Pet Ear Care Solution) to clean the ears and apply Xin'erling (Compound Nystatin Ointment) for antibacterial and antifungal effects, and to kill mites. Continue treatment for more than three weeks.

(2) Deworming medication: Administer deworming drugs containing ivermectin, avermectin, pyriproxyfen, and moxidectin to deworm the cat.

4. Feline Scabies

Causes: Not deworming regularly, a dirty environment, and contact with other animals with scabies.

Symptoms: Severe itching, hair loss, and skin redness, most commonly on the face, behind the ears, and neck, which can spread to the entire body over time.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Visit a veterinarian for a skin scraping test to diagnose the condition before starting treatment.

(2) Apply or inject medications containing ivermectin or avermectin until the mites are completely eliminated.

(3) Take antibiotics such as amoxicillin clavulanate potassium or Aisuoda (Cefadroxil Tablets) to prevent secondary infections.

(4) Regularly disinfect the cat's living environment. Clean and disinfect the cat bed, and expose it to sunlight frequently.

5. Feline Dermatitis (Secondary Bacterial Infection)

Causes: Secondary bacterial infections due to skin trauma, fungal infections, allergies, and parasitic bites.

Symptoms: Local redness, pustules, skin breakdown, and scabbing.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Mild: Use iodine tincture with erythromycin ointment, zinc oxide ointment, or mupirocin ointment.

(2) Severe: Use topical iodine tincture and zinc oxide ointment, and take cefadroxil tablets to control the infection.

6. Feline Black Chin

Causes: Using plastic cat bowls, not cleaning the cat bowl regularly, greasy cat food, and hormonal imbalances in cats.

Symptoms: Coallike black spots appear on the chin, which may lead to acne, redness, pain, and ulcers in severe cases.

Treatment Plan:

(1) Mild: Clean the chin with saline solution daily, switch to a light, nongreasy cat food, and regularly change the cat bowl.

(2) Moderate: Clean with saline solution and apply zinc oxide ointment or mupirocin ointment locally.

(3) Severe: Use saline solution and zinc oxide ointment, and take cefadroxil tablets to reduce inflammation.

How to Prevent Feline Skin Diseases?

1. Keep the cat's living environment clean and dry, and regularly disinfect it.

2. Regularly deworm your cat to prevent parasitic infections.

3. Feed your cat a nutritious and balanced diet to avoid malnutrition.

4. Avoid exposing your cat to allergens such as pollen and dust mites.

5. Pay attention to your cat's mental health, reduce stress, and avoid stress responses.

In summary, there are many types of feline skin diseases, and appropriate medications should be chosen based on the specific cause and symptoms. If you're unsure about the type of skin disease your cat has, consult a veterinarian or take your cat to a veterinary clinic for a skin scraping test.