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Pyoderma can occur on the surface of the skin, within the skin, or under the skin of your cat. It can affect any cat despite their age or gender, and it can be found on any part of their body. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and pasteurella multocida are the bacteria most known for causing this condition.
Pyoderma is a bacterial infection that occurs when lesions and pustules develop on the skin. The infection usually occurs when the immune system cannot prevent bacteria from growing on skin that has been cut or wounded.
Bacterial Skin Infection Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$350
The symptoms of pyoderma can range from hair loss to pain. It is important to contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms:
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Pyoderma is usually caused by an underlying disorder; any disorder that irritates the skin can lead to this condition. The following disorders can cause pyoderma:
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You can expect the veterinarian to perform a physical exam and ask questions about the lesions on your cat. Your veterinarian will use the symptoms, physical exam and a series of tests to make a diagnosis.
Your veterinarian will start with a blood test to get a complete blood count and check for disorders or diseases. Allergy tests and food trials are performed to see if allergens are contributing to pyoderma. A biopsy is also done to diagnose pyoderma in your cat. The staff administers a local anesthesia or sedation and removes a small piece of skin for testing.
There are several skin tests that can be performed on your cat to check for an infection, and this includes an adhesive tape prep, skin scrape, bacterial culture and skin prick test.
The veterinarian may need to order further testing to check for this condition. A fungal culture may be performed to check the infected skin for ringworm or fungal infections. The staff also performs an endocrine test to check for Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism. Your veterinarian may also order a cytology test to examine the cells within a pustule and identify the infection.
It is important to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you notice the signs of pyoderma. Early diagnosis means an early treatment for your furry friend.
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Treating pyoderma involves taking care of the underlying cause and the infection itself. It is important to treat the underlying cause so the infection does not return.
Special Diet
If the underlying cause is a food allergy, then your cat will have to go on a hypoallergenic diet to avoid the allergen. Your cat will also need to go on a special diet if the skin infection is caused by diabetes.
Flea Control
Your veterinarian will suggest you treat your cat, other pets and your environment for fleas. You need to get rid of all the fleas before they hatch more eggs around the house.
Prescription Medication
Prescription medication may be administered to treat the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will prescribe an antifungal medication to treat ringworm or another fungal infection. Anti-parasitic medication may be prescribed to treat feline demodicosis or ear mites. You may also need to use a medicated antiseborrheic shampoo on your cat every three days until you have the infection under control.
Treating Feline Acne
Feline acne can be treated by keeping the area clean and using metal or glass bowls.
Synthetic Hormones
Synthetic hormones are used to treat hypothyroidism. They replace the hormones that are not being produced by the thyroid gland due to this disorder.
Treatment of Cushing's Syndrome
If the underlying cause is Cushing's syndrome, your vet will check to see if there is a tumor involved. This could lead to a gradual withdrawal of corticosteroids, or your cat may need their adrenal gland surgically removed.
Treatment of Pyoderma
Your veterinarian will prescribe oral antibiotics to treat the skin infection. The oral antibiotics are usually prescribed for three to four weeks. You may also need to use an antibiotic shampoo or topical antibiotic to soften the crust on their skin.
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The treatment can lead to a full recovery of the skin bacterial infection, but you still need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will make sure the treatment is working on your cat.
You may need to change your cat's diet or environment during the treatment and recovery process. The changes you make will depend on the underlying cause of the infection.
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Bacterial Skin Infection Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$350
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Ask a Vet
American medium hair cat
Ten Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
What litter would you recommend to avoid a future bacterial infection in the paws if my cat does not like pellets?
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up to handle urgent emails. Most cat litter should be okay to not cause infections, and it may just be a trial and error to find the right one. It may be best to ask your veterinarian what caused the problem in the first place, as they know more about the original problem.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Fruit
tabby
2 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
What is wrong with my cat? She is constantly digging, ripping her hair out, her fur in the infected area is soaked sticky and oozes red and yellow puss we have tried flea dips change In food, in shampoos, we have tried different litter
Aug. 12, 2018
Fruit's Owner
0 Recommendations
At this point you would need to visit your Veterinarian to get a course of antibiotics and to see what the possible underlying cause is; it is possible that this is a secondary infection from a scratch, allergies or another injury which is getting worse. From your description, it is not likely going to respond to antibiotics so you will need to get a prescription from your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 13, 2018
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oreo
bicolor
6 Years
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Hi my cat hasn't been eating or coming home to sleep and we just caught him today and it turns out he may have a bacteria infection part of his skin is dead where you can just see a big hole around his cheek along with a spoiled smell we put some Neosporin on his wounds but it doesn't seem to be helping what do you recommend we do
Aug. 2, 2018
oreo's Owner
1 Recommendations
If there is some necrosis of the skin and there is a bad smell, it will be past the point of treating at home and you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination and treatment as systemic treatment will be required and possibly your Veterinarian may need to debride the necrotic tissue so that the new healthy wound margins can heal. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 2, 2018
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Gizmo
stray
4 Weeks
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I have a stray kitten yesterday it was fine 7-12-18 this morning when i got home from work it has a huge open spot on its neck looks like a bite of some sort? I dont have money for a vet bill
July 13, 2018
Gizmo's Owner
2 Recommendations
Without examining Gizmo it is difficult to say what the specific cause is however a scratch or other injury may have resulted in this wound; you should bathe the area with dilute salt water (one teaspoon in a pint/half litre) and ensure that the area is free of hair and debris. Gizmo’s young age is concerning and I would recommend you visit a Veterinarian (charity clinic etc…) to be on the safe side. Regard Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 13, 2018
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Kittens 1, 2 & 3
Cat
1 Month
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I took my 3 kittens to the vet he used a uv light and said it’s not fungal. I have a patch of ringworm on my chest but it doesn’t look the same. vet gave me hibiscrub but it’s not doing much. We did have a flea problem but it’s almost under control only find the odd 1 now. I’m wondering if it’s bacterial, Ive spent £152. At the vet so far and no luck yet. It doesn’t seem to bother them but they do scratch a bit, no wounds or broken skin.
June 19, 2018
Kittens 1, 2 & 3's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Not all species of ringworm glow under a UV light, so even though it didn't glow, it may still be ringworm. It may be a good idea to treat the kittens for ringworm, regardless, since you are having lesions and ringworm is contagious to people, and common in kittens. It would be best to contact your veterinarian and let them know what is going on with you and get any treatment that they might recommend for the kittens.
June 19, 2018
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Coco
British Longhair
3 Months
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
A month ago my kitten had ear mites, and after taking her to the vet they gave her about 3 injections for three days and when we though that it was over and everything was fine, the hair around both her ears started to fall and now she has bald spots behind her ears. Some say that it’s a skin disease, and highly contagious to kids, but can someone give me an insight on what it could be??
Stitch
American Short Hair
8 Months
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I have an 8 month old kitten with a skin rash that is oozy but doesn't smell. She is allergic to the flea collar and other treatments. We have tried antibiotics already and the antiseptic shampoo, but the large rash won't heal. When we first tried flea treatments she ended up with a huge rash on her neck that we have since gotten under control, but the one on her side will not heal.
Nera
Bombay
9 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My cat has been diagnosed with pyoderma by staphyloccocus two days ago. The vet gave her a penicillin injection and told me to clean the two spots with a local spray antiseptic and apply Argental (silver sulfadiazine?) twice a day for 10 days. The sore spots have developed a thin crust and I don’t know if I should remove it so the medicine seeps through or if I should let it fall out on its own. Cloud you please explain the proper way of cleaning/medicating the area? Thank you so much
Bacterial Skin Infection Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$350
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