Quick Guide: D区分Fungal & Bacterial Cat Skin Infections!

Should your feline friend start showing signs of skin issues like excessive shedding, dandruff, bumps, or scabs, it's crucial not to resort to selfmedication! Incorrect treatment can not only fail to effectively address your cat's skin condition but may also irritate hair follicles, trigger allergies, and lead to even more severe complications!!

In reality, most feline skin problems are caused by fungal or bacterial infections. These can often be easily identified at home, and with proper medication, they can be quickly and thoroughly cured!

How to Distinguish Between Fungal and Bacterial Infections in Cats?

1. Observe the Symptoms

● Fungal Infection

Fungal skin infections typically present with circular or elliptical lesions that cause clusters of hair loss, flaking, and scabbing. The affected areas have clear boundaries from healthy skin and may develop lichenification over time. The primary symptom is dry itching, with ringworm being a classic example.

● Bacterial Infection

Bacterial skin infections usually manifest as small, red bumps that may have a white or yellow, sticky discharge, giving off an unpleasant odor. They are accompanied by itching, hair loss, and redness of the skin. Folliculitis and pyoderma are typical examples, characterized by moist itching.

2. Wood's Lamp Examination

In cases of fungal skin diseases in cats, about 80% are caused by Microsporum canis, which typically produces a fluorescent green reaction under a Wood's lamp. The accuracy rate is around 60%.

3. Skin Scraping Examination

For an accurate diagnosis, you can visit a veterinary clinic for a skin scraping examination. This simple procedure, costing just a few dollars, can pinpoint the type of bacteria or fungi causing the infection.

How to Treat the Infection?

1. Fungal Infection

Cats with fungal skin diseases usually require topical or oral antifungal medications. Topical treatments often include ketoconazolebased sprays or ointments like clotrimazole, while oral medications might include itraconazole.

For smaller infections, treatments like clotrimazole spray or ketoconazole ointment can be effective. Many fungal infections may also involve bacterial contamination, so it's important to use antibacterial skin sprays in conjunction.

Treatment Steps:

（1）Remove 23 cm of hair around the affected area to expose the skin completely;

（2）Disinfect the area with iodine solution. If there are scales or crusts, first soak the area with physiological saline or warm water to clean it before disinfection;

（3）After the skin is dry, apply a small amount of antibacterial spray, then gently rub in Dasatin (ketoconazole ointment). Continue treatment for 35 days after the symptoms disappear.

If the infection is widespread, it's advisable to take your cat to a vet for oral itraconazole, as the dosage and duration of antifungal medication are critical and should not be selfadministered.

2. Bacterial Infection

Bacterial skin diseases generally require antibacterial skin sprays and antibiotic ointments, with oral antibiotics needed for severe inflammation.

● Antibiotic ointments can include erythromycin ointment or Fusidate (zinc oxide ointment). Note that erythromycin ointment should not be used longterm or on broken pusfilled blisters.

● Antibiotics can include enrofloxacin, cefalexin, amoxicillin clavulanate potassium, and metronidazole. For longterm use, consider Cefalexin (cefalexin tablets) or amoxicillin clavulanate potassium, as they have fewer side effects.

If the infection is extensive, consider combining treatment with a medicated bath. However, ensure your cat's fur is thoroughly dried after the bath to prevent bacteria from thriving in moist conditions.