The cat has sores on his head: How to cure?

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the deep layers of the skin. It is not an independent disease; rather, it is a symptom of some pathological process occurring in the body. According to statistics, one of the most common reasons for visiting a veterinary clinic is dermatitis in cats.

It does not pose any threat to human life, but it can cause a lot of suffering to a pet, manifesting itself in the form of severe itching, skin rashes and other painful symptoms.

Sores in cats on the head: Diagnosis of the cause

Diagnosis is carried out in a veterinary hospital.

In Moscow, you can contact the veterinary clinics of the network “Your Doctor” or “Bely Klyk”, as well as the Innovative Veterinary Center of the Moscow Veterinary Academy (IVC MBA).

In St. Petersburg, competent specialists will help you at the clinics “Dog and Cat”, “Lucky”, “Your Doctor”.

In Voronezh, we recommend visiting the blades “Eurovet” and “Cat Matroskin”.

To determine the cause, the veterinarian will take the following measures:

Examination of the animal with thermometry.
Anamnesis collection (seasonal or not, new carpet at home, flowers, new animal, vaccinations, food, contact with stray animals)
Detection of antibody titers during an allergic reaction in the laboratory, less pronounced with food allergies (immunoglobulins G. M), more pronounced with allergies to house dust or pollen (immunoglobulins E)
General blood and urine analysis.
Blood chemistry.
Scraping of the epidermis from the affected areas followed by microscopy.
Sowing material from the lesion (detection of bacteriological contamination).
Examination of the animal's hair and skin in the rays of a Wood's lamp (spores and mycelium of microsocopic mushrooms glow with a gentle blue light).
Microscopy of a hair taken from the periphery of the lesion.
Cultivation of the fungus on nutrient media in a laboratory (material is taken from the center of the lesion and then transferred to nutrient media).
Microscopy of deep skin scraping (for diagnosis of ectoparasites).
Analysis of feces for helminthiasis.

Preventive methods

If the kitten's skin is covered with sores and the affected area is gradually expanding, you need to make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible and undergo a comprehensive examination, since the causes of the rash can be varied - from scabs to endocrine disorders.

As a preventive measure, you should monitor your pet’s hygiene, get standard vaccinations according to plan, and establish a nutritional and drinking regime. If a cat is prone to allergies, it is important to identify and eliminate the irritating factor, otherwise drug therapy will not bring results. You should not self-medicate. Sometimes the improvised drugs used do bring relief, but not for long, since eliminating the symptoms does not affect the root cause of their occurrence. Only a properly selected comprehensive therapy regimen will help cure your pet from skin problems and prevent complications.

A cat scratches sores on its head: If the cause is an allergic reaction

An allergic reaction is the most common cause of itchy sores on a cat's head. The animal scratches them until they bleed, scabs form, and a secondary infection may develop - then the disease is complicated by bacterial contamination.

The fur may come out in the affected areas, but may not be damaged, only sticking together with a pathological secretion.

Watch the video: Veterinarian advice - Skin diseases in cats and their diagnosis

Causes of the disease

The interaction of the irritant with the animal’s body leads to the body’s production of an antigen, which, when it enters the connective tissues, stimulates increased release of histamine. Since the concentration of such cells is contained in the skin, it instantly reacts to the “aggressor” substance, causing an inflammatory process.

Based on the reasons that caused the irritation, several types of dermatitis are distinguished:

Infectious (bacterial). It is formed as a result of damage to the dermis and the penetration of harmful microorganisms into its cells.
Flea. Appears due to an allergic reaction of the body to the saliva of insects (fleas, lice eaters, subcutaneous mites) when bitten.
Allergic. Caused by external irritants, food, feed.
Atopic. Caused by a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Contact. Occurs when interacting with chemicals.
Traumatic. It is a consequence of scratches, injuries, cuts and even friction of the collar.
Drug dermatitis. They are caused by certain medications, most often antibiotics.
Surface. Formed as a result of hypothermia and burns.

Other causes of skin pathology include internal diseases and hormonal disorders. In addition, there are often cases when dermatitis in cats is diagnosed as a result of stress, which can be caused by anything - a change of owner, a noisy company in the house, a visit to the clinic.

Symptoms of illness can appear in both a kitten and an older cat. Not a single animal is immune from this unpleasant phenomenon, regardless of gender and breed.

A cat has a sore on its head: Treatment of an allergic reaction

Rinse the inflamed areas with hydrogen peroxide (2-3% solution).
Local lotions against itching, against secondary skin infections - antibiotics and/or antifungal drugs (Levomekol, Fungin).
To eliminate itching, stop itching, antihistamines (Suprastin, Tavegil), in severe cases, single or triple use of Prednisolone subcutaneously is possible.
Hyposensitization: after successful determination of antibodies in the laboratory, injections of serum at weekly intervals for 10 - 12 weeks (this type of treatment is practiced only in some Moscow clinics).
Eliminating the allergen (changing food to hypoallergenic, removing carpets, flowers, isolating new animals, etc. - depends on which allergen is identified.
Also, herbal medicine has proven itself to be effective in eliminating itching and relieving inflammation: compresses, baths, washing, wrapping with tinctures or 10-20-5 solutions of calendula, chamomile, echinacea or St. John's wort. Baths with walnut tree leaves. Washing with infusions of horsetail or pansies, decoctions of walnut leaves.

Miliary dermatitis

When the disease affects the neck area and manifests itself as scatterings of small pimples, miliary dermatitis is first suspected, which is always a consequence of other pathologies. It is even more expedient to talk about it, not as a separate sore, but as a symptom of another ailment. The doctor will tell you exactly what pathology caused this type of dermatitis after the diagnosis. It is impossible to do this on your own.

Often a rash on the neck becomes a manifestation of a food allergy. Among the causes are also subcutaneous mites. Treatment will depend on what exactly caused the skin sore. By the way, rashes can appear not only on the cat’s neck, but also on other parts of the body.

A cat has scabs on its head: If the cause is ectoparasites

The appearance of itchy sores on the head and neck, which animals scratch until they scab, may be caused by infection of the animal with ticks of the species Notoedres cati, Sarcoptes spp. All age groups and all breeds are affected.

It often starts from the outside of the ear and spreads to the head area, later to the body and tail. Severe itching, followed by the appearance of individual pustules, bran-like scales and profuse hair loss.

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Clinical manifestations

With parasitic dermatitis, the four-legged pet becomes nervous, refuses to eat, and suffers from incessant itching around the ears and tail. He constantly itches, licks himself and even bites himself. The skin becomes covered with rashes, red spots, and peels. Weeping sores and crusts form on the back, neck, chest and behind the ears. Fleas and lice eaters can be identified during an external examination.

If the dermatitis was caused by a subcutaneous mite, then skin lesions are also observed on the limbs and eyelids. It is not possible to detect the parasite with the naked eye.

The cat's appearance deteriorates. The coat loses its shine, becomes dry, brittle, and alopecia is possible.

Allergic dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of blisters, pustules, swelling, and redness of the skin, especially in the abdomen and groin area. When touching the inflamed areas, the animal experiences pain.

Histamine, which the body produces in response to the allergenic component, causes severe itching. The cat is continuously coughing and sneezing. The eyes become red and watery.

Atopic dermatitis occurs in cats between 10 months and 3 years of age. Allergens include plant pollen, dust, components contained in perfume compositions, and much more.

The inflammatory reaction in contact dermatitis is localized in the place where the skin comes into contact with a dangerous substance. Various acids, alkalis, pastes, and creams can act as the “aggressor”. The cat is bothered by itching on the paw pads, in the abdomen, neck, chin, and anus.

Purulent dermatitis is characterized by a chronic course. According to the clinical symptoms of the inflammatory process, it can be wet and dry. In the first case, erosions form on the damaged skin, in the second - scabs and crusts.

Superficial dermatitis manifests itself in the form of small redness and, as a rule, goes away on its own.

Sores on a cat's head: Treatment of tick-borne infestation

General measures: soak the peels with vegetable oils or liquid paraffin and remove. Disinfect toys, brushes, bowls and other things, wipe the surface with hot water, treat the bed with antiparasitic agents (Bolfo-plus spray, Frontline spray).
Wash with acaricidal agents (shampoos) 1-2 times a week for 2-4 weeks.
Treat the affected areas with Aversectin ointment 2 times a day until cured.
Ivermectin injections subcutaneously for a week.
To support fur restoration - food supplements with essential amino acids and vitamins (Beafar, AgroVetZashchita ).
Washing or bathing with infusions of thyme, yarrow, cloves, lavender, ivy, horsetail, pansies, bath with walnut leaves and whey.
Baths with sulfur-containing preparations or shampoos with tea tree oil 1-2 times a week until improvement.

The cat has sores on its head and hair has come out: If the cause is fungal infections

Mainly kittens, old and weakened animals are susceptible to infection with fungal diseases (the latter include cats after suffering severe infectious diseases, receiving drugs that suppress the immune system, and having a meager feeding ration).

The causative agents are microscopic fungi of the species Microsporum Canis, Microsporum gypseum or the genus Trichophyton. Healthy animals, due to their strong immune system, can be asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic fungal spores for a long time.

Infection occurs when fungal spores come into contact with the fur or skin of an animal from environmental objects or through direct contact with a sick animal. The incubation period (the time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease) ranges from 1 week to 1 month.

Clinically, fungal infections in cats are practically the same. Most often the head, ears, neck and back of the animal are affected, less often the limbs and abdomen.

The disease begins with hair loss in a limited area, the cat scratches the affected area, the skin is covered with scales and crusts, the lesions tend to merge and grow.

With extensive damage, the general condition of the animal may also suffer: appetite worsens, lethargy or, conversely, aggressiveness appears.

The best foods for cats with allergies

External symptoms: cat behavior

To make a correct diagnosis, you need to observe changes in the pet's behavior. Cats may become restless and irritable if they suffer from ticks and insects.

Infectious pathologies often cause lethargy and apathy, refusal to eat, and play with their owners. In addition, most often sores cause physical discomfort to the pet, which leads to the need to scratch or intensively lick the affected area.

We invite you to watch this video:

The cat has sores on the neck, on the head: Treatment of fungal infections

Local treatment in the form of ointments. (Yam, Sanoderm).
Local treatment using Fungin spray.
Use of the therapeutic vaccine Vakderm, Polivac.
Bathing with antifungal shampoos once every 3 days for 6 weeks.
For generalized lesions, antifungal drugs are used orally ( Introconazole , Terbafine).
Complete balanced feeding.
Use of vitamin and mineral supplements to feed.
Avoid scratching and licking (wear a collar).
In long-haired animals, it is advisable to clip the affected areas.
Washing with vinegar water and horsetail infusion.

The cat has sores under its fur: Is the danger high?

The greatest danger comes from traumatic skin injuries. With the development of diffuse inflammation (phlegmon) or a more local abscess, sepsis can develop, which can lead to the death of the cat.

But in most cases, everything is not so scary, all dermatological diseases can be treated, although the time frame may be different. In the case of autoimmune diseases, lifelong medication is required.

Also, some causes of skin damage in cats can be contagious to other animals and people.

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Precautions for fungal infections in domestic cats

The disease is anthropozoonotic – that is, transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Children and the elderly, as well as those weakened by other diseases, are most susceptible to infection with the fungus.

Therefore, if there are children, old people or seriously ill people in your house, then of course the most optimal solution would be to isolate the sick animal in another room until it has fully recovered.

If the inhabitants of your apartment are all adults and healthy people, then it will be enough to treat the cat’s skin with ointments, wearing gloves and a mask, carry out daily wet cleaning using antiseptics, iron the fabrics with a hot iron, and wash your hands.

General treatment tips

You cannot select medications and dosages on your own. The choice should be made by a veterinarian, taking into account the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the cat. Before contacting a veterinarian, Miramistin is allowed to be used. This broad-spectrum drug rarely causes unwanted reactions or complications.

Be sure to complete the course of treatment to the end. If you stop using medications at the first improvement, the disease may recur and become chronic . It will be necessary to take more aggressive medications to cure the cat, both to alleviate the symptoms and to eliminate the cause of the disease.

You cannot refuse treatment. Since the sores cause severe discomfort to the cat, she can scratch them, violating the integrity of the skin. This increases the risk of infection entering the wounds. Purulent complications are possible.

During treatment, medications should not be given without the permission of the veterinarian. Before giving your cat any drug, including dewormers, you need to check its compatibility with the medications used for treatment.

A sick animal should also not be vaccinated: due to a weakened immune system, the reaction can be unpredictable and complications are possible.

Many pathologies are transmitted to people, so owners should follow safety rules when treating a cat so as not to become infected. In some cases, the veterinarian recommends preventative treatment for family members. Do not neglect such recommendations. There is no need to walk a sick cat, as it can easily infect other animals. The risk of complications will also increase on the street.

A cat has a bump on its head: Possible causes

If you find a lump on your pet's head, the reasons may be the following:

Lipoma formation.
Abscess formation.
Metastases of a malignant tumor of any organ.

Lipomas are formed from cells of subcutaneous fatty tissue and are benign formations; with trauma they can degenerate into malignant ones. The reliable reason for their formation, however, like all neoplasms, is unknown.

Abscesses can form at the site of an injury, a bite during a fight with other animals when the immune system is weakened and the wound is contaminated, when the animal has access to the street, or its habitat in the apartment is polluted. The cat's scratching and licking of the wound plays an important role.

Since the formation can be a signal of a serious pathology, it is necessary to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

After the diagnosis, which will necessarily include a tissue biopsy or puncture followed by histological examination, the veterinarian will select the necessary treatment tactics.

Watch the video: Ear mites - How to cure a cat at home

What actions should I take?

Sores on the back along the cat’s spine (as well as in other places) cannot be ignored. The animal needs help. It all depends on the reason.

If the owner is sure that the cat is being attacked by parasites, and the sores are caused precisely by their bites, the animal should be treated for fleas. Today there are enough products on sale that will help quickly solve the problem. The wounds themselves can be treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.

If you suspect that skin problems are the result of an allergy, you can try to review your pet's diet. However, it is not always possible to guess which product caused the reaction, and time passes, and the cat needs to be treated. Therefore, it is better not to take risks, but to immediately show the animal to a veterinarian. He will take tests, determine the irritant and tell you how to deal with the cause of the sore.

This also applies to other situations where the lesion on the back is similar to lichen or demodicosis. You should not engage in amateur activities. Professional diagnosis is required, and then serious treatment . It often involves taking antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial drugs.

Only competent advice from a specialist, complex therapy and the caring hands of the owner can quickly alleviate the cat’s condition and eliminate sores without consequences.

A cat has a lump on its head: Treatment options

If a cat is diagnosed with a lipoma - a benign formation of subcutaneous fatty tissue, then the doctor may decide to leave the animal under observation if the size of the formation is small and does not interfere with it, or if the cat is old or weakened by other diseases. In case of injury to the lipoma, its large size or inconvenient location, as well as in the satisfactory general condition of the pet, a veterinary specialist will perform a surgical operation to remove the tumor.
Treatment of abscesses can be as follows: surgical opening of the abscess under general anesthesia and sedation of the animal, treatment of the affected area with antiseptic solutions (Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Fukarcin), application of dressings with antibacterial ointments (Levomekol), administration of antibiotics intramuscularly for a course of 5-7 days (Doxycycline, Enrofloxacin ) for deep and extensive lesions, putting on a collar to prevent self-trauma, isolating the cat from other animals, complete and balanced feeding with soft and semi-liquid food or premium and extra-premium industrial food in the form of pates, vitamin therapy ( Gamavit , Hemobalance).
If metastases are detected, the veterinarian will suggest palliative therapy or euthanasia of the animal for humane reasons.

List and description of possible causes

The appearance of scabs along the ridge always indicates the development of one of the following diseases in a cat:

Allergy. The most common reason why cats develop scabs under their fur is redness, swelling, flaking, severe itching, and hair loss all over the body. Food allergies almost always manifest themselves acutely immediately after the irritant enters the body. Within 1-2 days, all symptoms appear and if left untreated, the acute form can transform into chronic. This means that from time to time the pet will exhibit all the symptoms described above with varying intensities. Another common cause of scabs on a cat's back can be flea dermatitis. An allergic reaction to flea bites or saliva.
Fleas. They can become real torture for a cat if the owner ignores regular treatments for parasites. In 90% of cases, scabs under the fur on the back appear as a result of an allergic reaction to flea saliva. The problem is successfully eliminated with the help of modern drugs Stronghold, Frontline, Advantage, Advocate, etc. A prerequisite is the treatment of all animals living in the house. It also doesn’t hurt to disinfect the premises if the parasites get to your pet from the outside.
Lichen. A fungal infection of the skin that is particularly contagious and can be contagious to humans. Often found in homeless animals. You can become infected after close contact with an affected pet or through fungal spores getting into the fur. The clinical picture, although it has its own characteristics, always proceeds differently. Distinctive areas include characteristic crusts under the fur, similar to dandruff or flaking. As the process progresses, a bald spot appears in this area. In severe cases, the area begins to become wet and bleed. Itching is present in every second case. Diagnosis of lichen is also not simple, since it must be distinguished from flea dermatitis and parasites. This may require illumination of the lesions under a Wood's lamp, microscopic examination of hairs and pieces of skin taken from the plaques. If doubts arise after this, then a fungal culture taken from the crusts is sown. The result becomes known in 7-10 days. Only after determining the fungal culture can effective drugs be selected for treatment. In 90% of cases, the causative agent is dermatophytes, the rest is due to yeast and mold fungi. The treatment itself is long-term, using local treatments of the affected areas (Zalain) and taking antifungal drugs (Terbinafine) orally. The use of special shampoos (Nizoral) during bathing also showed good effectiveness. Particular attention is paid to disinfecting the home, since fungal spores can survive up to 18 months in the environment. To avoid relapses, be sure to carry out wet cleaning with solutions of chlorhexidine, miramistin and bleach added to the water. All woolen items and fabrics that an infected animal comes into contact with are treated with a steam generator.
Bacterial damage. It often appears on the back in the form of dry crusts. It may occur against the background of an allergic reaction or fungal infection. Along with the crusts under the fur, you can see redness and slight swelling of the skin. In case of a bacterial infection, the underlying disease is always taken under control. Otherwise, re-inflammation is only a matter of time. Steroid ointments Akriderm or Triderm can be used as treatment. Using them without a prescription from a veterinarian, who will determine the required dosage, is dangerous for the pet’s health.
Demodecosis. Very common along the spine. At the initial stage it appears in the form of small black rashes, which transform into dry crusts over the course of the process. Itching is practically absent, but a bald patch appears at the site of the lesion. Often found in kittens; in adults, the activity of the subcutaneous mite can provoke serious diseases of the internal organs or tumor processes. Do not forget that demodicosis is not contagious and is not dangerous for other animals or humans. Single lesions can go away on their own. When the process spreads throughout the body, they search for and eliminate the underlying disease that provoked the activity of the tick.

Sores in cats on the head: Methods of prevention

Avoid contact with street animals
Complete balanced feeding
Carrying out regular veterinary examinations and vaccinations
Avoid contact with stray cats and dogs.
Castration of males.
Maintaining the hygiene of the cat’s habitat: regularly changing the tray, washing the bowl, cleaning the room.
To maintain the animal’s immunity, use vitamin and mineral supplements from Beafar and AgroVetZashchita.
Regular treatment of cats against ecto- and endoparasites.

Quantity

Bacterial dermatitis

There is also a type of dermatitis called bacterial. It can also cause ulcers on the neck. As the name implies, it is provoked by pathogenic bacteria. Often other diseases become the impetus for development. In particular, allergies, demodicosis, pathologies of the endocrine system.

The pain is very bad. It manifests itself as itchy wounds, the area of which steadily expands without treatment. As a result, a huge bleeding spot is observed on the skin. In advanced stages, bacterial dermatitis can cause an abscess, and the formation of fistulas and nodes is also possible.

Moreover, they are much more difficult to cure than an ordinary ulcer. If you find sores on the neck, you should immediately show your cat to a doctor in order to start therapy on time and avoid serious consequences. Self-medication of bacterial dermatitis is strongly discouraged. Moreover, there is no single scheme. It is selected individually.