Severe Itching and Skin Allergies in Cats: Effective Re
Left unchecked, a cat's skin allergies can lead to devastating consequences in as little as half a day. The feline may end up grooming itself to the point of bald patches, and even suffer from severe skin issues like redness, swelling, ulcers, and secondary bacterial infections. Therefore, it's crucial for pet owners to take skin allergies in cats seriously. Prompt action, including protective measures and targeted medication, is essential to safeguard the cat's health!
Understanding the Symptoms of Cat Skin Allergies
When a cat experiences skin allergies, it often exhibits several telltale signs:
Excessive licking or biting at its skin
Hair loss
Red, swollen skin, which may also show blood spots, blisters, red patches, or dandruff
Initial outbreaks often occur around the eyes, between the toes, under the arms, in the abdominal creases, and in the genital area
Over time, chronic cases may lead to hyperpigmentation, thickening of the skin, or cracking
Mild allergic dermatitis may resolve on its own after a period of avoiding the allergen, but severe cases or repeated exposure can lead to a widening of the affected area.
Dealing with Severe Itching in Cat Skin Allergies
1. Seek Professional Medical Attention
To avoid misdiagnosis and improper treatment, it's vital to take your cat to a veterinarian. The vet may perform skin scrapings, blood tests, and other diagnostics to identify the extent of the skin infection and pinpoint the allergen.
2. Avoid Allergens
Once the allergen is identified, it's essential to keep your cat away from it. Common allergens include certain foods (like grains, dairy, ham, horse meat), environmental factors (like pollen, dust mites), flea saliva, mosquito bites, and medications.
3. Medication Intervention
Based on the cat's condition, the vet may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms. Common treatments include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and antibiotics (if there's a secondary infection).
Oral: Clorpheniramine Maleate Tablets (Newmeino), taken once daily. This antihistamine is effective for conditions like urticaria, allergic dermatitis, and serum sickness, helping to block allergic reactions and relieve itching. Additionally, supplementing with Supervitamin B Solution (Shivibei) daily can boost the skin's resistance and aid in healing.
Oral: If the skin is severely broken, antibiotics like Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium or Cefadroxil Tablets (Asudao) may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Topical: Use iodine for disinfection and apply Phthalocyanine Zinc Ointment (Fuanant) to soothe itching and promote contraction.
4. Dietary Adjustments
If dietary allergies are suspected, switch your cat to a singleprotein, hypoallergenic diet. Adding some protein and lecithin can help strengthen the cat's immune system.
Important Note!
Always ensure your cat wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from excessively licking or biting its skin. This is crucial to avoid severe hair loss and skin damage.
