Effective Treatment for Cat's Syringomyelia with Medica

Before we delve into the treatment, let's first get a basic understanding of what feline syringoma is, a condition that might sound a bit misleading at first glance.

Contrary to its name, feline syringoma has nothing to do with horses. The term "syringoma" comes from the appearance of the cat's tail during an outbreak, which resembles a ponytail due to the hair sticking together in clumps. The root cause is the excessive secretion of sebum from the sebaceous and apocrine glands on the tail, especially during the mating season of male cats. When hormone levels spike, these glands become overactive and swell, leading to the formation of blackheadlike black spots. The hair on the cat's tail becomes coated with the excess oil, which, when combined with dust and other debris from the environment, clumps together to create the characteristic ponytaillike hair tangles.

Symptoms of Feline Syringoma:

When a cat is suffering from syringoma, pet owners might notice the following signs: the tail appears black and greasy, with an abundance of oil around the base and on the sides, as well as on the little buttocks. Blackheads will start to appear on the tail's back, and secondary bacterial infections can lead to boils, subcutaneous cellulitis, or even skin ulcers. However, the spread of ulcers is relatively slow, and the hair on the tail's back may eventually fall out, resulting in a "bald tail."

Effective Treatment for Feline Syringoma:

Before treatment, it's essential to first remove the affected hair to make it easier to apply medication, reduce dust accumulation, and prevent bacterial growth. This also aids in the skin's absorption of the medication.

For mild cases of syringoma, no special medication is needed. Simply wash the cat's tail with an antipruritic shampoo, which may be required once or twice a week. Afterward, apply 70% alcohol to suppress oil secretion and gently squeeze out the blackheads. Then, apply a topical antibiotic like erythromycin ointment.

If the syringoma has led to folliculitis, with symptoms like redness and pain, treatment should include a muscle injection of 25mg of progesterone each time. The frequency of injections should be advised by a veterinarian, tailored to the cat's specific condition. It's generally not recommended to selfinject at home. Additionally, use Furon skin spray and Betadine dilute gluconate chlorhexidine solution for antibacterial and skin growth promotion, to alleviate symptoms of folliculitis.

In cases where the syringoma has caused subcutaneous cellulitis, first gently clean the area with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, then rinse thoroughly with a large amount of saline. Finally, use oral or injectable antibiotics and antibiotic ointments to prevent infection. Due to the possibility of recurrence during the mating season, it's advisable to have the cat's testicles surgically removed to completely treat the syringoma.

If you're unsure about the medication for your cat's syringoma, it's best to consult an online veterinary doctor for further diagnosis and guidance before administering any medication.