Symptoms of Feline Meningitis: What to Look Out For
Section 1: What is Cat's "Tail Disease?"
Cat's tail disease, also known as sebaceous hyperplasia, is a skin condition caused by excessive sebum production. Cats have numerous sebaceous glands distributed throughout their bodies, primarily集中在 the back, chin, lips, eyelids, and base of the tail, which are connected to hair follicles.
Under normal circumstances, the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands helps to lubricate the cat's skin and fur, preventing dryness and playing a crucial role in their scent marking.
When there is an overproduction of sebum at the base of the tail, it leads to tail disease. It can be likened to the blackheads caused by excessive oil production and clogged pores during adolescence, but it occurs on the tail.
Section 2: Causes of Tail Disease
1. Hormonal influences can cause the enlargement of the sebaceous glands in cats, leading to excessive oil secretion. This is quite common in unneutered male cats, and a few neutered male and female cats may also experience it.
2. Factors such as psychological and physical diseases can lead to excessive oil secretion.
3. Obesity and skeletal diseases can prevent cats from grooming their fur properly, resulting in dirty hair and skin at the tail base. This can lead to an accumulation of oil, bacteria, and dust, exacerbating the condition.
Section 3: Symptoms of Tail Disease
If a cat has tail disease, the symptoms are usually mild. The hair roots near the tail base may become greasy and tangled, and the skin may develop "black spots." A yellowishbrown, smelly, waxy substance may be secreted, binding the hair into clumps. (Similar in texture to the substance emitted by an exhaust fan.) Some cats may experience slight hair loss or red spots.
In more severe cases, it can lead to secondary bacterial infections, with inflamed and swollen hair follicles, even pus formation and infection of the entire tail.
Section 4: Treatment and Prevention of Tail Disease
The treatment for cat's tail disease typically involves four approaches: cleaning, topical medications, oral medications, and dietary adjustments.
It is often recommended to use antibacterial shampoos or alkaline soaps to wash away the surface oil, inhibit further secretion, and even use diluted alcohol for cleaning. Pay attention to gently squeezing out the blackheads during the cleaning process. Topical medications can include products like Fenon skin spray and zinc oxide ointment, which are primarily for antibacterial and skin contraction promotion.
Oral medications are mainly antibiotics, with cephalexin tablets recommended for infection prevention. For mild symptoms, antibiotics may not be necessary. Diet should be kept light and avoid highfat foods.
Prevention Methods
1. Avoid feeding cats overly greasy foods;
2. Some male cats may see improvement after being neutered.
This article has shared information about the symptoms and treatment of cat's tail disease. Since each cat's symptoms may vary, it is advisable to consult an online veterinarian before administering any medication!