My long haired cat.

by Jordan Zehender
(Findlay, Ohio, United States)

My cat has lumps and dried skin all over his body. My family says he is about ready to die but i don't really think so, but anyways I have had him since he was a kitten when my grandmother gave him to me.

My cat is only 4 years old and my mom tries everything that might try and help him but it hasn't worked yet. My mother has soaked him in cocoa butter lotion and fleas were dying and falling off of him.

I have no idea what he has. I'm just hoping its not something that he can die from because he is the most lovable cat. Even though it's gross to touch him I do it anyways just because I've had him for a long time, it feels like he is my kid.

Thanks,

Jordan

Editor Suggestions: Cat Skin Lumps and Dry Skin

Dear Jordan,

At four years old, your cat shouldn’t be “ready to die” unless he has a severe underlying disease like feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus.

Your cat sounds sick enough that a trip to the vet is really the best way to go. A vet can test him for the diseases that I just mentioned as well as give you an idea of what else might be going on.

If you can’t take him to the vet, you should treat him for the fleas that you know he has. If the infestation is bad enough it could cause many of the symptoms that you are describing.

Fleas can suck enough blood out of a cat to cause death, so he should be treated aggressively for this problem. You can pick up Frontline, an excellent product to kill fleas. You can buy it at most big pet stores these days or online.

You will need to treat him every month since you surely have fleas in your house.

Good luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Long Hair Cat Skin Problem

by Maram
(Saudi Arabia)

Hi, my name is Maram. I have a cat named Lucy that is 8 months old, female, white domestic long hair who is havinga major cat skin problem right now.

It started in her neck which was inflamed, missing fur, and spread under her right ear.

I went to 2 veterinarians ,the first one said she has fleas and gave her yellow tablets and a needle.

After that she started to get worse, not eating and screaming, itching her ears and wounds.

So I went to another veterinarian and he said that she is has an allergic reaction and ear infection and he give her prednisolon tablets.

Is this a real diagnose?? Because I don't trust those vets !!

How can I cure this wound?

She is eating from our human food, not from cat food which weird is that ok?

Can u help me please?

Editor Suggestion Long Hair Cat Skin Problem

Dear Maram,

Thank you for question and sorry to hear about the cat skin problem.

Cat skin is largest organ in the body and is exposed to various infectious and non infectious agents in the environment, food etc. Also, skin health is related to the immune system, thus it gets effected by the allergic reactions. That's why, cat skin conditions cannot be always confirmed or diagnosed with a clinical examination alone. Additional laboratory tests and a detailed history are important tools for confirming the cause of the condition.

We don't know if your veterinarian has conducted specific tests such as an examination of skin scrapings and possibly required allergy tests before deciding if your cat has a flea infestation problem or allergy in the second case. Some veterinarians, do not recommend any specific test because of very prominent symptoms and/or on the basis of a cats history.

With reference to the symptoms you indicated, we suspect your cat is either suffering from a form of cat mange called notoedric mange (feline scabies) or from a cat skin allergy.

Feline scabies or cat mange which is usually diagnosed on the basis of its pattern. A laboratory test based diagnosis is usually not helpful. Feline scabies is characterized by a sudden onset of pruritus (itch), crusts and alopecia (hair loss), which appears on the neck and then spreads towards the ears and then covers the entire head region. It may become generalized, which means that the whole body may become affected. Usually, skin scrapings appear negative, since the causative mites are opportunistic and do not stay on an affected animal after completing their life cycle. However, ELISA test may help as this type of test detects increased antibodies in the body, a factor that is related to feline scabies.

On the other hand, it can be an allergy, possibly related to your choice of cat food or primarily with the cat autoimmune response (hypersensitivity). This too can only be confirmed with a detailed examination and specific allergy tests. Food allergy can only be confirmed through food trials, i.e. elimination of possibly allergenic components in food.

Remember, this is not definite diagnosis for your cat, surely your cat needs a definite diagnosis and until now, we suspect your cat is also prone to secondary bacterial infections, which will only worsen the condition.

For the time being, we can suggest some supportive measures, which will surely help to reduce any symptoms and they will help make your cat more comfortable. First of all, clip any excessive hairs around the lesions. After that, clear the area with some medication, preferably a medicated hot spot spray to clear/heal the wounds such as R-7 Hot Spot Lotion. Its always better to clean the lesions/wounds before applying medication with a product such as Clenzor. You can do this with an antiseptic solution.

Additionally, it is highly recommended that you feed your cat quality novel food/proteins only, to confirm if it your cat is suffering from a food allergy. Do not allow your cat to eat from your food frequently; it will not only possibly cause a more severe allergy reaction, but also behavioral problems will develop, which can be very difficult to deal with.

For cat skin and immune system health and strength, always use a quality cleansing shampoo for bathing, preferably a herbal shampoo such as Clean Cat Shampoo, and regularly use a skin tonics as well such as Skin and Coat Tonic. Also, your cat is long haired, thus it requires frequent grooming. Make sure you regularly groom your cat.

These tips are only for support. For a definite diagnosis, laboratory tests are must. This needs to be done so that you can treat your cat with a approach that is specific to that cat skin problem.

Also, you have a long haired cat thus it requires frequent grooming. Make sure you regularly groom your cat.

Please keep us up to date on your cats skin condition.