| Cats have internal health problems that cause skin | | | | causing the problem, then treatments will help |
| conditions in cats. Pruritus affects the skin of cats | | | | prevent further pruritus on the cat. Some methods |
| because of the nerve fibers that control sensations | | | | of treating pruritus are topical treatments and |
| such as pruritus, pain, temperature and touch. In cats, | | | | antihistamines along with prostaglandins and |
| pruritus affects the grooming habits and some | | | | antimicrobials and in some cases corticosteroids, |
| scratching is associated with this skin condition. When | | | | which are not as safe for cats because of the side |
| a cat has excessive grooming habits it may lead to | | | | effects. |
| hairballs, military dermatitis, changes in color of the fur | | | | Topical Treatments And Antihistamines for Pruritus |
| and alopecia. | | | | Shampoos and moisturizers that contain |
| Different Pruritus Lesions That Cause Cat Health Skin | | | | anti-inflammatory medication help to reduce |
| Problems | | | | environmental allergies and alleviate the pruritus |
| Alopecia is a systematic disease that comes from | | | | lesions. In some cases, hydrotherapy works for |
| allergies, malassezia, fungal infections and demodex. | | | | environmental allergies as well. An antihistamine |
| Hypereosinophilic syndrome has no known causes, | | | | prevents the release of histamines. When given |
| but does have signs such as vomiting, weight loss | | | | before the release of histamines, antihistamines block |
| and diarrhea along with anorexia and eosinophilia. | | | | impurities from causing pruritus. In some cases, |
| Eosinophilic dermatitis comes from hypersensitivity | | | | antidepressants are given with the antihistamine |
| and mosquito bites. This usually affects the ears, | | | | treatment for further prevention. Antihistamines are |
| feet and face of the cat. | | | | only about thirty percent effective in treating pruritus |
| Ulcers and erosions due to trauma, affects the neck | | | | on cats. Because they are safer than corticosteroids, |
| and head of the cat and comes from food allergies, | | | | they are still prescribed to treat cat health skin |
| parasites, ringworm, tumors and atopy. Military | | | | problems. |
| dermatitis affects the back, neck and the tail. This | | | | Corticosteroids such as prednisone may cause side |
| condition is caused by allergies, infections and | | | | effects, but are used as a last resort if the cat does |
| parasites. Nodules, affects Siamese cats and is very | | | | not respond to other medications that are safer. |
| rare but comes from mast cell tumors. The last | | | | Some of the side effects may cause hunger and |
| pruritus lesion that affects cat health skin conditions | | | | thirst, which could result in an overweight cat with |
| is crusting and scale lesions. This comes from | | | | kidney failure. |
| ringworm, immune disorders and SLE. | | | | Prostaglandins and Antimicrobials |
| If the pruritus is severe, medications can only relieve | | | | Prostaglandins help to stop the itching as an anti-itch |
| the pain temporarily. Once the treatment is finished, | | | | medication. This type of relief works well after the |
| the itching reoccurs and causes pain to the cat. It is | | | | onset of pruritus. Antimicrobials are anti-fungal and |
| best to eliminate the problems causing the pruritus | | | | anti-bacterial medications that protect the cat health |
| than it is to keep a cat on continued medication. If | | | | skin from pruritus if the underlying cause is from |
| your cat has an allergy, tests can determine what is | | | | bacterial or fungal infections. |