Black spots on your cat's chin? The world of tailed animals is a magazine about pets.

Hypersensitivity to flea bites

Flea dermatitis is an allergic disease caused by flea bites. Proteins contained in insect saliva cause immediate or delayed consequences in the form of itchy irritation, scabs, and later bleeding scratches and wounds.

Many pets are susceptible to this disease, since the proteins in flea saliva are a very strong allergen. Flea scratches more often appear in cats that are free-range or live on the street, but domestic cats are not immune from them: fleas can be brought into the house on clothes or shoes.

Allergy to bites

Cat fleas

Fleas on a cat are perhaps the most common problem in an animal. Even if the cat is domestic and has never been outside or had contact with other animals, this does not guarantee that it has not picked up fleas. After all, even the owner can bring them in from the street, along with shoes or on clothes.

And as soon as abnormal combing of the animal has been noticed, the first thing to do is to examine the cat for the presence of fleas. This procedure is not difficult to carry out. Use two hands to separate the pet's fur on a certain area of the skin. In the parting of the fur, as a rule, you can notice the uninvited “tenants” of the animal. And in advanced cases, fleas can be seen with the naked eye.

This cat disease is perhaps the easiest to treat. In veterinary pharmacies and pet stores, there are sufficient quantities of products to help get rid of fleas. These include drops, sprays, and all kinds of ointments. Also, to consolidate the procedures for getting rid of fleas, you can use repellent collars that are impregnated with special liquids that repel insects.

Here, the pet owner can make the choice himself, based on his budget and the degree of neglect of the disease.

Types of flea dermatitis

Flea dermatitis is one of the most common feline skin diseases. Appears in the following varieties:

spicy;
subacute;
chronic.

In acute dermatitis, the symptoms are pronounced, and the disease develops very quickly.

The chronic form is characterized by the appearance of areas of baldness and the appearance of small itchy nodules on the skin. Develops in the absence of proper treatment.

The subacute stage is a transitional stage. A characteristic symptom is a rapid onset, the onset of visible relief and subsequent exacerbation. This is a sign that the therapy was chosen incorrectly.

The main danger is complications arising from flea dermatitis. Atopic eczema may develop, which cannot be completely cured. There is also a risk of secondary purulent infections requiring antibacterial treatment.

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms depends on many factors: the age of the cat, its weight, the number of parasites and the general state of the immune system.

The first, most pronounced symptom is itching. The cat has very itchy wounds caused by scratching flea bites.

After some time, the hair begins to fall out, bald spots appear, the hairline becomes thinner, and ulcers appear on the skin.

The next stage is the appearance of scabs and crusts. The animal regularly scratches them, this causes suppuration, which indicates the addition of a bacterial infection.

The general condition of the cat worsens: weakness, lack of appetite appears, the animals meow loudly from itching and pain, and become very timid.

Causes of itching

Owners do not always immediately begin to sound the alarm when they discover scratching on their pet. Often they believe that this is not a very serious problem. If the scratching is minor and the itching does not particularly bother the cat, the owner can completely ignore this problem. But it is worth remembering that many diseases are curable only in the first stages. Therefore, it is important to promptly find out the cause of itching and provide professional help to your pet.

Lichen

This is an extremely contagious fungal disease that is also dangerous for humans. It is easily transmitted from a sick animal to a healthy one through short bodily contact, or even through grooming items (combs, nail clippers). Without timely treatment, lichen in dogs, like in cats, can lead to serious consequences for the health of the animal.

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The main symptoms of lichen infection:

The coat appears unhealthy. A large number of broken hairs.
Small bald spots appear, which the cat actively scratches. They can be found primarily on the head, neck and paws.
Hard crusts appear on bald spots.
Lost fur grows back very slowly.
Dandruff appears on the skin.
In the final stages, purulent lesions form.

Skin parasites

Fleas are a very common parasite, especially among cats that have free access to the outdoors. Fleas are quite dangerous, because their bites lead to a decrease in the animal’s immunity. The cat becomes vulnerable to various bacteria and fungi. Flea bites cause severe itching, causing the animal to constantly scratch. Particularly sensitive cats may scratch their skin until it bleeds.

Your cat can also pick up ticks, lice and coccidia. However, the animal does not have to go outside for this. The owner may well bring some parasites with him on shoes and clothes.

The main symptoms of infection with skin parasites:

deterioration in the appearance of fur;
severe itching;
anxiety;
fleas and ticks can be seen visually if you look closely at the animal’s skin.

A tick bite can lead to quite serious consequences. At the same time, the animal’s temperature may rise, loss of appetite, and decreased activity.

It is best to consult a veterinarian to remove a tick. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, parts of the tick may remain in the animal's skin, which can cause a purulent abscess to form.

Allergy

An allergic reaction can occur completely unexpectedly in any cat. Most often, animals suffer from food allergies. It often manifests itself when changing the diet or adding new foods to it. Food allergies are the easiest to identify and therefore easy to combat.

But when diagnosing non-food allergies, problems can arise. In this case, it is not always possible to determine which allergen caused the body’s negative reaction.

An allergic reaction can be caused by:

individual food products (often chicken and milk);
pollen and plant parts;
flea and tick bites;
various chemical elements contained in cleaning products and perfumes;
dust.

Otitis

Otitis of the external ear is a serious disease that can cause many problems for the animal. Infection of the ear canals leads to inflammation. The cat constantly shakes its head and scratches its face until it bleeds.

The main symptoms of otitis in a cat:

redness of the ear;
anxiety;
the cat constantly shakes its head;
the animal scratches its ears and muzzle;
increased body temperature;
In the absence of timely treatment, pus may begin to leak from the auricle.

Worms

Even completely domestic cats are not immune from infection with worms. Parasite eggs can enter the animal's body through raw meat, unwashed hands, clothing, and grass. Infection with helminths leads to decreased immunity and disruption of the body.

The main symptoms of helminth infection:

Deterioration in the appearance of the coat, scratching.
Defecation disorder.
The animal quickly loses weight.
Itching in the area of the anus, which causes the animal to rub it on the floor and carpets.
Decline in activity or, conversely, excessive anxiety.
In advanced cases, severe shortness of breath occurs.

Bacterial diseases

Bacteria and fungi are found in small quantities on the skin of any cat. Usually, they do not cause any problems to the animal. But if the animal gets sick, its immunity is reduced, and the body is weakened, fungi and bacteria begin to actively multiply, which often leads to severe itching and scratching.

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At risk are cats that already suffer from diabetes, allergies, and hyperthyroidism. This problem often occurs in kittens.

One of the most common bacterial infections in cats is pyoderma . Its main symptoms:

severe itching;
peeling of the skin;
Scabs form on the wounds;
baldness of certain areas of the skin;
formation of purulent abscesses.

Pyoderma is very dangerous for cats. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Stress

All animals experience stressful situations differently. For some, moving or even ordinary fear can lead to not entirely adequate reactions. Constant licking of the same places may indicate mental disorders of the animal.

Of course, such a diagnosis can only be made after all other possible causes of itching have been excluded during the diagnostic process. The main symptoms of mental disorders and stress:

refusal to eat;
a decrease in activity or, conversely, excessive excitability;
the animal constantly scratches or licks one place.

Breeds in which this problem most often occurs: Burmese, Orientals, Abyssinian and Siamese cats.

Disruption of hormone production

Disruption of the endocrine system leads to the appearance of various symptoms, including itching and scratching. A number of diseases that cause disruption of hormone production:

Diabetes.
Cushing's syndrome.
Thyroid dysfunction.

Main symptoms:

Hair loss and bald patches.
Dryness and flaking of the skin.
Severe itching and scratching.

Diagnostics

The simplest diagnostic method before going to the vet is using a comb and a piece of paper.

First, the cat's fur needs to be well wetted. After this, the animal is placed on white paper and begins to be combed. A characteristic sign of flea infestation is the appearance of brown droplets on the paper. This color is the color of flea secretions. With extensive damage, living insects can also be seen.

To notice the presence of sores on the skin, you will need to part the fur and examine it with a magnifying glass. You may see brown spots, redness, and flea scratches.

A visit to the veterinarian is required: the doctor will conduct laboratory tests, perform scrapings and blood tests. This will help establish an accurate diagnosis based on the presence of antibodies.

A special allergy test may be required to identify the type of protein to which the animal’s body reacts.

Manifestation of allergies

It also happens that due to excessive scratching of the scalp, an animal develops an allergy. Also, the animal may or may not experience other accompanying symptoms: redness of the skin, peeling, it happens that during and after eating, the cat experiences lacrimation. At this point you should contact a veterinarian.

But, if the pet eats food, then the simplest way to check whether the animal is allergic to this particular food is to replace the food

. If the cat continues to itch even after changing its diet, then you should consult a specialist.

In general, allergies are a complex disease. You need to be prepared for the fact that there are a large number of allergens. And you will have to take more than one test. And allergies can’t be cured with just the snap of a finger; it will take time.

Treating scratches at home

Self-medication for flea dermatitis is unacceptable, but primary therapy can be started at home.

the washing up

The animal is washed and treated with flea control. Fleas and their larvae are combed out with a fine comb. For prevention, after treatment, a special anti-parasitic collar is worn.

If there are bleeding wounds on the skin, they can be treated along the edges with iodine and tetracycline ointment. If there is pus, an antibiotic is needed - you cannot select it yourself - only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Important! To protect the animal from poisoning, all products must be thoroughly washed out of the fur.
To avoid licking, you can use a special collar.

The cat scratches itself until it bleeds and is very itchy

The cat itches until it bleeds, why? What causes severe itching?

If the cat is domestic, it does not go out for walks and does not come into contact with other pets, and has never suffered from fleas, then there may be several reasons for itching:

And now about each of the reasons in order.

Worms (helminths)

It is enough to drink from a puddle once, and the whole family will be infested with helminths.

Itching in cats in the butt area
. The cat rubs its butt on the carpet and often licks itself there.
Digestive disorders
, changes in the animal’s taste for food.
The coat loses its natural shine
and the skin begins to peel.
In inflammation and souring of the eyes
.
The cat's behavior is changing
. If she was active, she becomes indifferent and apathetic, and vice versa...

Worms are contagious to all cats. Even a small kitten can become infected with them, for example, from its mother. In order to avoid such torment for your pet, regularly give your animal preventive measures with special medications.

Inflammation due to bacteria

Inflammation of the eyes.

This kind of inflammation has virtually no symptoms. The most basic sign of this problem will be constant itching in the cat in all parts of the body.

Pyoderma

Pyoderma can make your cat scratch until it bleeds.

This is a bacterial infection of the skin of a cat. Pets with weak immune systems and animals consuming low-quality cat food that contains few vitamins and microelements are most susceptible to this disease.

Pyoderma can be calculated by the following signs:

Sudden hair loss in a cat.
Acute and pronounced itching.
Peeling of the skin.
Small ulcers with cloudy liquid inside. If you don't pay attention to them, they will spread throughout the body very quickly.
Scabs on the skin.

Most often, this disease penetrates the surface layer of the skin, but in cats with little or no hair, it can penetrate deeper into the skin. This disease requires immediate treatment, otherwise it can be fatal.

Otitis (ear inflammation)

Most often, otitis media appears as a result of the accumulation of wax in the ear, in which microbes begin to multiply.

Ringworm that the cat scratched until it bled due to itching. Ringworm is very dangerous!!!

If an animal has contracted ringworm, its skin will have a number of changes:

The appearance of bald patches of skin on the ears, paws and back
Ulcers appear on bald areas
Ulcers become covered with scabs
The cat's mood changes, and she constantly scratches the areas of skin with foci of the disease until it bleeds.

Ringworm can be cured both at home and in clinical settings. But read about this in another article. The main thing is not to delay the treatment, otherwise the cat may become completely bald.

Lice cause severe itching.

Allergies

Often a symptom of an allergy is severe itching. The cat scratches its face and ears, sometimes even until it bleeds.

. In addition, the pet can lick and bite its own limbs. If you notice such symptoms in an animal, do not rush to think that he has gone crazy, but rather consult a veterinarian.

In order to protect your cat from scratching in the area of itching, you can wear a medical collar.

Regardless of the cause of the tooth, first of all, it is necessary to make sure that the cat scratches as little as possible, or stops scratching altogether. A special cap () can help with this.

for pets. It is sold in pet stores and is inexpensive.

If you have already visited a doctor and he has prescribed you treatment, then you must strictly follow all the veterinarian’s instructions.

Stop itching spray: reviews

STOP-ITCH suspension.

If you want to help your pet yourself, you can make his life easier with the help of the drug STOP-ITCH.

It is available in the form of a spray or suspension and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Veterinarians speak well of this medicine

, because it contains B vitamins, methionine and succinic acid. These components help quickly restore damaged skin.

STOP-ITCH is intended for the treatment of diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, allergies, fungal and bacterial infections. You can find out the dosage and course of treatment from your veterinarian or read the instructions. This medicine should only be given to kittens or pregnant cats after consultation with a veterinarian.

It is important to know that STOP-ITCH is contraindicated in cats with diabetes mellitus and viral infections.

Complex treatment

If the tooth is caused by other diseases, then it should not be treated as a single symptom. It is necessary to begin comprehensive treatment of the disease that causes such characteristic symptoms. Trying to treat just the itching without addressing the underlying problem can have a dangerous effect on your pet's health.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will prescribe medications to treat flea dermatitis. The treatment regimen is as follows:

relieving acute itching using antihistamines based on glucocorticosteroids;
antiparasitic treatment, including the destruction of fleas and the use of preventive agents;
treatment of secondary purulent infection with antibacterial agents.

The main requirement for treating cats is regularity. You should not take breaks in the use of antiparasitic drugs, as this may cause the disease to become chronic. When using antibiotics, it is unacceptable to complete the course before the time specified by the veterinarian in order to avoid the development of drug resistance.

Use of anti-flea products

Flea medications are a mandatory stage of treatment. They are available in the form of external agents (drops, sprays and ointments). When using them, you should not wash the animal frequently, as this reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.

Another form of release is tablets. Chewable pills are well absorbed by cats and have a quick effect, being absorbed into the blood and destroying parasites. For preventive purposes they are used once a month.

Your doctor should advise you on how to treat your cat's scratching. You should not prescribe the drug and dosage yourself.

Black spots on your cat's chin?

Black spots, dirt, scabs on a cat's chin - what are they? In this article we will look at the problem of acne in cats.

Feline acne is a skin condition that causes clogged pores primarily in the lip and chin area. Cats of all breeds are susceptible to the disease, and in hairless breeds: sphinxes, elves, lefties, bambinos and others, comedones (blackheads, blackheads) can be located throughout the body. There is no breed or gender predisposition; both young and older animals can suffer.

Reasons for the formation of comedones

Black spots are formed due to impaired desquamation of the skin epithelium and dysfunction of the sebaceous glands or excessive secretion.
Predisposing factors:

Allergic reactions. The protective function of the skin is impaired
Parasitic diseases, as well as long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs, viral leukemia and immunodeficiency of cats, cancer
Secondary bacterial and fungal infection
Bowls for drinking water and food made of low-quality or long-used plastic
Not washing bowls frequently or thoroughly enough
Unbalanced or unsuitable food for the cat
Disturbance of keratinization and functioning of the sebaceous glands
Lack of hygiene
Poor living conditions
Genetic predisposition
Stress

Acne symptoms

Often owners complain about dirt and dark bumps on the chin that cannot be washed off. And, more often than not, these are the owners of light-colored cats. However, the disease occurs with equal frequency in animals of all colors. This problem may not bother the cat at all and may only be a cosmetic defect. However, with concomitant diseases and skin inflammation, the following symptoms may occur:

Itching in the muzzle area
Hypotrichosis (sparse hair) or complete absence of hair
Black dots
Swelling, enlargement of lips and chin
Skin redness, crusts and black scales
The appearance of pustules with pus or papules (dense nodules)

It is worth distinguishing this disease from flea allergic dermatitis, notoedrosis, aphanipterosis, demodicosis, eosinophilic granuloma, facial dermatitis of Persian cats, and many other dermatological pathologies of cats.

Usually acne is characterized by several stages:

The first stage of the disease is expressed by increased secretion of the sebaceous glands. The attention of the owner of a cat with light fur may be attracted by the persistent presence of fatty yellow spots on the pet’s chin, but in most cases the course is unnoticeable.
In the second stage, comedones are formed. This happens because increased secretion of the sebaceous glands is accompanied by increased keratinization - the production of keratin protein, the main structural component of skin and wool. Protein masses prevent the normal emptying of the sebaceous gland, and as a result, the hair follicle into which the sebaceous gland duct flows becomes blocked by a mixture of glandular contents and protein. A comedon looks like a black dot, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin, and is often mistaken for pollution. Comedones are usually located on the chin, and somewhat less commonly on the skin of the lower lip. Typically, similar changes, if you part the fur, can be found at the base of the cat's tail.
The third stage is characterized by inflammatory changes in the affected hair follicles, which are caused by bacterial flora. Folliculitis develops: first a red papule (bump) at the base of the hair, then a pustule (abscess) - the hair follicle dies and the hair will never grow again. After opening and drying of the pustules, crusts form. Experiencing pain and itching, the cat scratches the affected area, aggravating its infection. When the cat recovers, there are traces of superficial scarring in the affected area and areas of thinning of the coat.

Complications

A complication of acne can be deep or superficial pyoderma, pyotraumatic dermatitis. The cat may experience severe itching and pain, scratching the skin until it bleeds with the risk of infection of the wounds and a more serious inflammatory process. With severe blockage, atheromas can form - cysts of the sebaceous glands. They may need to be removed surgically under general anesthesia. If acne is detected, we recommend contacting a veterinary dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures must be carried out to exclude concomitant diseases and confirm the diagnosis:
● Superficial and deep skin scrapings. ● Microscopy of wool. ● Cytological examination of the skin, contents of pustules. ● If demodicosis is detected, general blood tests and research are performed to exclude leukemia and immunodeficiency.

Treatment

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure a cat for acne.
You can only relieve inflammation, eliminate predisposing factors and prevent relapses. If itching occurs, you will need to wear a protective collar. You should not squeeze out blackheads and pustules, as there is a high risk of infection and causing deeper inflammation. Periodically wipe problem areas with Chlorhexidine and lubricate with the ointment specified by the veterinarian. If the cat allows itself to be washed, then you can use Doctor shampoo with benzoyl peroxide once or twice a week. Avoid prolonged use of alcohol-based drying products as this can increase the secretion of the sebaceous glands, which can cause new blockages and further spread of acne. If a cat tries to lick the cream from its chin, then you need to distract the cat for 15-20 minutes and after this time, blot the remaining cream with a napkin. Your cat's diet may also need to be adjusted. When treating acne, you need to be patient. Unfortunately, improvements do not come as quickly as we would like. Treatments must be regular. Be sure to follow all doctor's orders. If you have any doubts, there is no effect or there is a deterioration in the picture, be sure to contact your doctor to adjust the therapy.

Preventing cat acne

For prevention purposes, it is recommended:

Use glass, ceramic or metal bowls. Keep them clean.
Change the water in the drinking bowl twice a day.
Keep your chin well-groomed. If the cat does not wash itself, then you will have to help it with this.
Keep your cat's resting areas, houses and beds clean.
The cat's diet should not include food from the common table, since excess fat content of food activates the sebaceous glands; do not overfeed the cat.
Follow your veterinarian's recommendations.

This disease has practically no cure. Fortunately, if hygienic care is taken and secondary infection is contained, it is only a cosmetic problem and does not affect the cat’s quality of life.

Treatment with folk remedies

When choosing how to treat a cat’s sores, you can turn to auxiliary folk methods. They can provide an additional effect, but cannot 100% replace drug therapy.

The following alternative medicines have proven themselves well:

wormwood oil (repels fleas due to its pungent odor);
turpentine solution (in a dosage of 50 ml per 10 liters of water);
a mixture of garlic and brewer's yeast (for treating beds, carpets and upholstered furniture where the animal sleeps).

Wormwood oil

If your cat scratches the bites a lot, you can use a weak chamomile decoction to wash it - it soothes sensitive skin.

Before using any methods, you should consult your veterinarian.

Prevention

Preventive measures boil down to following the following recommendations:

The owner should know that the pet’s close attention to its fur, constant licking, and combing the skin with its paws is not a harmless phenomenon. As a rule, such anxiety is caused by the development of the disease. Only a veterinarian can identify the cause, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment for a pet.

Prevention of dermatitis in cats

To prevent recurrence of the disease, appropriate precautions must be taken.

It is better not to let the animal roam freely, and if it is not possible to keep it at home at all times, use an anti-flea collar.
Contact with other animals is limited.
It is recommended to take off your shoes when outside the home and wash the soles of your shoes with hot water and soap to avoid bringing in flea larvae.
After contact with street animals, hands should be treated with an antiseptic or washed thoroughly.

Causes of itching in cats

The most common probable cause of your cat itching all the time is a flea attack. But if you are sure that there are no fleas at the moment, then know that an allergy to a flea bite in some four-legged animals can last up to 6 weeks. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cat continues to worry all this time, although the fleas have been gone for a long time.

Below we will take a closer look at each of the most common reasons why, in the absence of fleas, a cat is worried about severe itching, but in reality there are many more of them.