Natural Pet Health

Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline acne.

Sebaceous glands are present in large numbers under the skin on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum of cats. Sebum secretions from these glands are primarily meant to protect hair against water and keep the skin supple.

The condition of skin and coat is an important indicator of your pet cat’s general health. Many common cat and dog skin problems are similar to human skin afflictions. Cat dandruff is the most discussed cat skin disorders.

But feline hair loss seems to be the most prevalent reason behind frequent visits to the veterinarian. Alopecia, the medical term for hair loss, in cats is also a symptom that is common to numerous cat skin disorders and diseases.

At an overall level the frequency of skin diseases like dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) is lower in cats as compared to dogs. Irrespective of how often it happens, the fact of the matter is that once the skin problems starts, it is equally uncomfortable for cats and dogs alike. And excessive hair loss is actually a symptom of some deeper disorder that the pet is probably suffering from.

Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.

Like dog skin problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.

Pruritus: The Itchy Cat

Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat’s skin. Constant itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the skin condition has caused the itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the skin lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline hair loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary dermatitis.

Ringworm – Ewww! Just the name conjures up images of a long worm weaving a ring under your skin. In fact, ringworm is not a worm at all, it is actually caused by a fungus which is highly contagious.

In humans, ringworm is a ring shaped red rash on the skin, but in your pet it can look like most anything. A common human form of ringworm is otherwise known as athletes foott. Dogs and cats are susceptible to three forms of ringworm, and your cat can pass ringworm on to you, although only a small percentage of human cases are caused by the same fungus that infects dogs and cats.

I bet you have never associated acne with your pet! Most of the time when we think of acne people come to mind, especially teenagers.

Fact is, pets get acne just like humans. Cats and dogs both get acne which can be recognized by the small red bumps and blackheads that appear around their lips and chin.

Most of the time acne does not annoy your pet. They are not as wrapped around their vanity as many of us are. The problem occurs when the red spots become infected.

When infection occurs it is both painful and itchy for your pet. Unfortunately, they cannot tell you about it so just give them a once over from time to time.

From minor conditions like cat dandruff to malignant tumors, a cat’s skin can be a reflection of nearly all kinds of medical conditions. Itchy skin can potentially lead to feline hair loss, feline acne and lick granulomas. Treating skin disorders in cats, therefore, depends mainly on the underlying health condition of the cat.

Skin conditions that are caused by flea infestations can be treated by killing adult fleas in the cat. Preventing re-infestation needs a more thorough approach wherein the fleas are eliminated completely from the surrounding environment. There are new products available that act only on the receptors present in insects and are safe for cats as well as kittens.

What causes furballs?

Cats are avid groomers and seem to spend hours preening and licking themselves. Unfortunately this usually means that they end up swallowing a lot of loose fur which accumulates in their stomach to form matted lumps called furballs.

These are usually either vomited out or emitted with their feces. Problems arise however if the cat’s digestive system is weak or if their nutrition is inadequate as the furballs may remain inside the cat and act as a cork causing a number of problems including constipation, recurrent vomiting and a build up of toxins.

What is FurBall Dr.?

PetAlive FurBall Dr. has been specifically formulated for cats who suffer from furball problems and contains a combination of selected herbs and homeopathic ingredients to help with digestion and elimination, thereby preventing the distressing problems associated with furballs.

What are some of the most common skin and coat problems in domestic pets?

Skin and coat problems are very common among domestic pets and appear to be on the increase. They include:

* Abscesses
* Skin odors
* Eczema
* Allergic dermatitis
* Contact dermatitis
* Dandruff
* Hair loss
* Warts
* Puppy acne
* Seborrhea

What are the causes of skin and coat problems?

Toxins are routinely eliminated through the skin, and skin and coat problems can often indicate a number of underlying concerns including toxin overload, anxiety, thyroid problems and a compromised immune system.

Other causes of skin and coat problems include:

What is flea bite dermatitis?

Fleas are an extremely common parasite among dogs and cats. Some pets suffer very little from the bites of these creatures but a number of less fortunate pets develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to a severe skin reaction known as flea bite dermatitis. Fleas bite their host animal and suck the blood for nutrition, leaving saliva behind under the pet’s skin. Recent scientific studies have shown that flea saliva contains around 15 different allergens that can cause reactions in sensitive dogs and cats.

The common problem of flea bite dermatitis affects both cats and dogs of all ages, genders and breeds. In pets with this condition, the flea bites themselves generally become red, swollen and severely itchy. This leads to chronic inflammation and scratching of the skin as well as ongoing discomfort for your pet.

Cheyletiella dermatitis is commonly known as cat dandruff. Even though the itch caused by cheyletiella dermatitis is mild in nature, it compels the cat to scratch, which can lead to substantial feline hair loss.

Out of the three common species of cheyletiella mites, Cheyletiella blakei affects cats the most. This external mite lives on the outer layers of the cat’s skin and can be observed as white specks moving around scales. This gives the disease, cheyletiella dermatitis, its name ‘walking dandruff’. The back of the cat is most affected but the cheyletiella dermatitis may also appear around the head and neck.