What is Bacterial Skin Infection?
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
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Bacterial Skin Infection in Cats
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:
- Rash and redness
- Crusting and scaling
- Draining sores
- Pustules
- Itching
- Hair loss
- Foul odor
- Painful skin lesions
Causes of Bacterial Skin Infection in Cats
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:
- Allergies
- Autoimmune disease
- Bug bites
- Bite wounds
- Burns
- Chemical irritation
- Cushing's syndrome
- Demodicosis
- Feline acne
- Hyperthyroidism
- Immunosuppression
- Ringworm
- Scratching
- Seborrhea
- Diabetes
- Tumors
Diagnosis of Bacterial Skin Infection in Cats
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 may be performed to see if allergens are contributing to pyoderma.
Vets can often diagnose pyoderma from evaluating the skin in person.
However, the veterinarian may need to order further testing. Your veterinarian may order a cytology test to examine the cells within a pustule and identify the infection. Skin scrapes, fur plucks and cultures will check for parasites and infections. A bacterial culture is especially important so we know which antibiotics would be approproiate.
Sometimes, 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.
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.
Treatment of Bacterial Skin Infection in Cats
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 any other secondary 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.
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. It is imperative the full course is finished. You may also need to use an antibiotic shampoo or topical antibiotic to soften the crust on their skin.
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Recovery of Bacterial Skin Infection in Cats
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.
Bacterial Skin Infection Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$350
Top
Bacterial Skin Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American medium hair cat
Ten Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pyoderma
What litter would you recommend to avoid a future bacterial infection in the paws if my cat does not like pellets?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by 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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tabby
Fruit
2 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Open Leasions Oozing Puss Hair Loss
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
5 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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bicolor
oreo
6 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Skinny,
Skinny, Lack Of Appetite
Skinny, Lack Of Appetite, Deadskin
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
4 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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stray
Gizmo
4 Weeks
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Open Wound
Swollen Jaw
Missing Fur
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
3 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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Cat
Kittens 1, 2 & 3
1 Month
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scabby Balding Skin
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
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 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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British Longhair
Coco
3 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Baldness Behind Ear
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??
Bacterial Skin Infection Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$350
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
