Flies are winged insects that are usually just an annoyance, but they can transmit disease. They belong to a large, complex order of insects called Diptera. Flies vary greatly in size, food preference, development, and habits. As adults, flies may feed on blood, saliva, tears, or mucus. They also spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The order Diptera includes not only the common house fly and many other insects we commonly call flies, but also mosquitoes.
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on animal blood. Besides being a nuisance, they can also transmit diseases and cause allergies or anemia. There are more than 2,200 species of fleas recognized worldwide. In North America, only a few species commonly infest house pets. Two common species of flea are the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis). However, most o
This group of skin conditions affects cats, dogs, and horses. Eosinophilic granuloma complexes have varying signs but seem to be caused most commonly by an allergic hypersensitivity.
In cats, three diseases have been grouped in this complex. Eosinophilic ulcers (also called "rodent ulcers" or indolent ulcers) are well-defined, red, skin ulcers that are usually not painful or itchy. They are most commonly found on
Like people, cats can be allergic to various substances, including plant particles and other substances in the air or in food. These substances are called allergens. Allergens are substances that, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract, or gastrointestinal tract, stimulate antibody production. When an animal comes in contact with these allergens in the future, more antibodies are produced, triggering histamine release and inflammation.
Cats can be born with or may inherit several different kinds of skin abnormalities. Some inherited skin disorders can become visible weeks to months after birth. Most of these conditions are uncommon to rare. Some occur with greater frequency in particular breeds of cats.
Congenital Skin Disorders
Epitheliogenesis imperfecta, also called aplasi
Successful treatment of a skin disorder requires identification of the underlying cause. Not surprisingly, many treatments for skin diseases are applied directly to the skin surface (topically). This may be the preferred method of treatment for some diseases or beneficial in addition to systemic drugs (medications taken by mouth or injected, then distributed throughout the body). Examples of products applied directly to the skin include antibiotic ointments, corticos
A precise diagnosis of the causes of a skin disease requires a detailed history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic tests. Many skin diseases have similar signs and an immediate diagnosis may not be possible. Based on your cat’s history and the physical examination, your veterinarian may order any of a number of laboratory procedures. These may include microscopic analysis of skin scrapings and hair, cultures of hair or skin swabs, specialized skin tests, bloo
Dermatitis is a general word for any type of inflammation of the skin. It is usually used until a specific diagnosis is reached. There are many causes of skin inflammation, including external irritants, burns, allergens, trauma, and infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal). Dermatitis can also result from internal or body-wide disorders.
The signs of dermatitis can include itching, scaling, abnormal redness, thickening of the skin, colo
The skin is the largest organ of your cat’s body. It provides a protective barrier against the environment, regulates temperature, and gives your cat its sense of touch. Depending on the species and age, the skin may be 12% to 24% of an animal’s body weight. The skin has 3 main layers: the epidermis or outer layer, the dermis or middle layer, and the subcutis or innermost layer. Other important parts of the skin include skin appendages (such as hair and claws) and su
The frequency of mammary tumors in different species varies tremendously. They are relatively common in cats. Approximately 90% of mammary tumors in cats are malignant (cancerous). They are prone to spread (metastasize) to the lungs and lymph nodes. The cause of mammary tumors is unknown, however hormones play an important role in their development. Mammary tumors in cats are most often seen in older (average age 11 years) nonspayed females. Spaying at a young age (less than 6 to