Skin Diseases in cats

Figs. 1-3. (l-r) Skin atrophy after cortisone injection, endocrine alopecia before (middle) and after (right) treatment with iodine

Figs. 4-6. Seborrhoea sicca due to liver disease, hereditary hypotrichosis and telogen effluvium (normal hair loss 3 months post-partum)

Common causes of itching and/or hair loss

1)       Fleas - biting around flanks and tail. Fleas and flea dirt (brown spots) often seen when hair is parted

2)       Mange - intense itching on flanks, with ulcers and bleeding. Usually seen in outdoor cats, infection from hunting rodents.

3)       Ear mites - brown wax in ears and constant scratching with sores around the base of the ears

4)       Allergies, especially to certain types of food, but also allergy to flea collars, certain shampoos and bedding/carpets

5)       Psychological (psychogenic) licking - constant licking of skin, especially insides of legs, with red lumps on skin

6)       Skin cancer (from sunlight) - sores on tips of ears, nose and around the edges of eyelids. Most common in white cats.

7)       Hormonal disease - hyperthyroidism in old cats (rare) - hair loss around flanks and tail base, but not usually itchy