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Common skin diseases in cats
Skin disease usually takes one of two forms: loss of hair or itchiness. Most itchy skin diseases
are caused by allergies or parasite infections. As a general rule itchy skins do not resolve without
treatment; so if your cat is scratching an early visit to your vet is advisable. Scratching is not
normal nor it is it a habit. The most common cause of itchiness in cats is an allergy to fleas. It is
essential to pay close attention to flea control in cats (see our separate factsheet on fleas).
Itchy cats often groom excessively rather than scratch at themselves and may be pulling out
their own hair without their owners realising. Excessive grooming can be caused by itchiness
but some cats exhibit this behaviour in response to stress.
Hair loss can be caused by some parasitic diseases but is most commonly caused by a flea allergy
although animals with hormonal problems may experience hair loss.
Many cats will develop lumps and bumps on their skin at some point. In most cases these may
be nothing to worry about and may be a simple wart or a fatty lump underneath the skin. Other
rapidly growing swelling may be an abscess (often caused by a bite from another cat). However,
sometimes malignant tumours can develop in or under the skin so if you notice a new lump on
your pet, particularly one that is weeping, sore, or changing rapidly, you should make an
appointment to see your vet as soon as possible.
Cat bite abscesses
If you notice small lumps or swellings when stroking or brushing your cat do not be unduly
alarmed. There are many possible causes: growths, cancers, infections, allergic reactions to flea
bites or foreign bodies such as thorns or airgun pellets. Occasionally your cat may pick up ticks
that swell up as they feed on cat's blood and can easily be mistaken for a skin lump. However,
the most likely cause of a lump in your cat is an abscess.
What is an abscess?
Abscesses are more common in cats than other domestic animals and are usually the result of
fighting. Cats have powerful jaws and a variety of unpleasant bacteria live in their mouths that
can be injected deep below the skin surface by biting. The bacteria cause an infection that
eventually develops into an abscess, a mass of pus walled up inside scar tissue. Cats also use
their claws to fight but abscesses caused by scratches are much less common because the
wounds are not as deep.
What are the signs?
Signs of infection may be present before any swellings develop. Your cat will be listless, go off
its food and its nose may become dry. Your cat may resent being handled and a normally docile
cat may hiss and scratch when you try to pick it up. If your cat has been bitten on a leg it will
probably limp. These signs last for about 3 days before the swelling appears.
Abscesses are most often found on the face, neck and tail although any part of the body can be
bitten during a fight. The swellings are painful when touched and the skin surface will feel hot.
The swelling often gets bigger for 3-5 days and then may burst, discharging a smelly
yellow/green fluid (pus).
Will my cat get an abscess?
It is much more common to see abscesses in tomcats than in neutered male or female cats.
Tomcats often fight with one another over territory or sexual favours. However, any cat can be
involved in a fight. Shortly after moving house your cat may be more likely to get into fights
with resident cats until it has established its own territory.
How do I know if my cat fights?
It is important to take your cat to your vet if you find any sort of lump. It is also worth checking
your cat for bite marks if you suspect it has been in a fight. The telltale signs of a fight are a torn
or bleeding ear, marks around the eyes and missing lumps of fur. Also look out for limping,
lethargy and other signs of infection. If your cat has been bitten there may be a tiny area of
matted fur around the bite wounds. Unfortunately wounds are often difficult to spot and the
skin surface may heal fast, leaving infection still there beneath the surface.
How can bite wounds be treated?
If you find a bite wound on your cat it should be bathed with a salt solution (1 tablespoon of salt
in a pint of water) and the wound watched closely for signs of swelling over the next few days.
Sometimes the first indication that your cat has an abscess is when the swelling bursts,
releasing foul smelling, creamy white or green pus. If the abscess doesn't burst naturally your
vet will lance it, flush out the remaining pus and then wash it with an antiseptic solution.
Your cat will probably be put on a course of antibiotics lasting between three and seven days.
There are many different types of antibiotic that kill different types of bacteria. Your vet will use
his experience to select the right antibiotic for the job. If the wound is still infected after a few
days tests may be necessary to find which particular bacteria are present and help your vet
choose an alternative antibiotic.
Can I stop my cat fighting?
Unless your cat is kept permanently indoors there is always a chance of it getting into a fight.
But having an intact tomcat neutered will significantly reduce the risk. Cats with certain
diseases such as Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) have weaker
defences against infection and are likely to have more severe problems if they do get bitten.
Other diseases can also be spread when cats get together to fight, so always make sure that your
cat's vaccinations are up to date.
What is “cat pox”?
If your cat is a keen hunter they may be at risk of catching cat pox from their prey. Cat pox is a
viral infection that is also known as feline cow pox. Most cases recover without treatment but in
a few cases the disease can be much more serious and veterinary advice should be sought. It can
also infect humans which is important to be aware of.
Cat pox disease is also known as feline cow pox. It is caused by a virus present in the small
rodent population such as voles and field mice. The virus is similar to the small pox virus and
infection with this virus protects against small pox.
How did my cat catch cat pox?
Despite its other name of cow pox, cats rarely catch cat pox from cattle. The virus is carried by
rodents and cats are most commonly exposed during hunting so avid hunters are most at risk.
The virus enters the cat through rodent bites or when a cat grooms an existing lesion after
eating a rodent.
What are the signs of cat pox?
Most cases are seen in late summer when rodents are most numerous. Over the next week
nodular skin sores that may become infected develop (often around the face and nose or limbs
as this is where the cats are usually bitten by their vole prey). These crust and scab over and
most cats remain well or have a runny nose or eye discharges. Around 10 days to several weeks
after initial infection, numerous skin lesions that are ulcerated and crusted can develop over the
body. These lesions are not usually itchy. Overall infection lasts six to eight weeks and most cats
recover without and treatment.
However in a few cases, primarily cats that have a poor immune system, eg those with FIV or
receiving steroids, the disease can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia in which case fast,
laboured and noisy breathing will be apparent as well as the cat being very unwell.
How will my vet diagnose cat pox?
Your vet may be suspicious of a cat pox infection just by looking at the sores. However, these can
be confused with other conditions like cat bites and 'rodent' (eosinophilic) ulcers. In most cases
your vet will simply take a sample of the scabby tissue from the body for analysis. However
tissue biopsies or blood samples can also be taken and sent to the laboratory. If your cat is
unwell other tests will be required to identify any underlying cause of the immune system
compromise. X-rays may be needed if there appears to be involvement of the lungs.
Can I catch cow pox from my cat?
It is rare for people to become infected with cat pox (less than 100 cases have been diagnosed in
people in the last 30 years) but it is possible, usually via cat scratches. However, as with all
infectious diseases, good hygiene is important and if your cat is infected you should ensure that
you wash your hands thoroughly after handing your cat. People with compromised immune
systems (e.g. the young and elderly, people on immunosuppressive treatments, pregnant
women) and those with severe skin disease are probably most at risk and should avoid infected
cats.
If your cat is diagnosed with cat pox it should be handled with gloves and contact between
infected material and any human skin wounds and eyes avoided.
Will my other cat(s) catch cat pox from an in-contact infected cat?
If your cat is diagnosed with cat pox, it should be isolated from other cats. However cat to cat
transmission only occurs rarely and usually is not associated with clinical signs.
What is the treatment for cat pox?
There are no treatments that will control the virus. Happily most cats recover over about 6
weeks without any treatment. Antibiotics may be required if the skin lesions are open or
infected. Some cats have to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent them scratching at the sores.
Steroids must not be given as these can worsen the disease.
Lanes Vets Locations & Contact Information.
Green Lane Veterinary Centre
Leachfield Industrial Estate, Green Lane West, Telephone. 01995 603 349
Garstang, Lancashire PR3 1PR.
Email: [email protected]
Dimples Veterinary Practice
Units 4 - 5 Lake Enterprise Court ,
Telephone. 01524 67777
Ladies Walk, Caton Road, Lancaster LA1 3NX.
Email: [email protected]
Bracewell Veterinary Centre
235 Garstang Road East, Poulton-le-Fylde,
Telephone. 01253 891 088
Lancashire FY6 8JH.
Email: [email protected]
Information provided in this factsheet is copyright © Vetstream Ltd (www.vetstream.com)
The information contained within this factsheet and the Lanes Vets website is provided by
qualified, practicing professionals, the information is not intended to replace the advice of your
own veterinarian nor should persons use this information as a basis for diagnosis of any
animal(s).