What are Contact Dermatitis?
The condition may affect areas where little to no hair is present, including the feet, chin, and nose. Both types of contact dermatitis will cause discomfort for your cat, so you’ll need to seek veterinary treatment right away. There are no breed, sex, or age predispositions for contact dermatitis, although allergic contact dermatitis does not generally appear in cats under two years of age.
Contact dermatitis in cats is a somewhat rare condition in which the skin reacts to the presence of an external substance. There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the cat suffers from sensitivity or allergy to a certain substance. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the cat comes into contact with harsh chemicals or environmental irritants.
Contact Dermatitis Average Cost
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$300
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Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis in Cats
Contact dermatitis is characterized by red, itchy skin. Seek veterinary treatment as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Red, swollen skin
- Excessive itching and grooming
- Scabs, bumps, or sores
- Crust or dandruff on the skin
- Loss of hair
- Matted hair
Causes of Contact Dermatitis in Cats
The cause of contact dermatitis is dependent on the type. Your vet will be able to determine the cause of your cat’s symptoms upon diagnosis.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis results from an allergy to a substance or something in the environment. Some examples of allergens include, but are not limited to:
- Certain shampoos
- Flea collars, sprays, or treatments
- Certain plants
- Fertilizer and other garden products
- Synthetic materials (carpet, plastic, metal, etc.)
- Dyes
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis develops when a cat comes into contact with an irritant such as a household cleaning product, solvents, soaps, and acids.
Diagnosis of Contact Dermatitis in Cats
Your vet will be able to make a tentative diagnosis based on presentation of symptoms and appearance of the affected skin. Be sure to inform your vet of the extent and duration of your cat’s symptoms, as well as any allergies or encounters with irritant chemicals that you know of. Your vet may also ask you for your cat’s complete medical history.
The vet will be able to make a definitive diagnosis by testing whether your cat is allergic to a substance. They may do this through the use of a patch test, in which your vet will place the potential irritant onto a patch, which is then placed on your cat to test for reaction. Your vet may ask you to monitor your cat closely over a period of time and record their diet and behavior to try and identify the cause.
If these methods are unsuccessful, a bacterial culture or biopsy of the affected skin tissue may be taken in order to identify irritants. Blood tests may also be required to identify allergies.
Treatment of Contact Dermatitis in Cats
Treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is not curative and will involve controlling the cat’s symptoms. Your vet may prescribe topical treatments or antihistamines to control the itching and redness. Depending on the severity of the allergy and symptoms, your vet may administer an allergy vaccine or prescribe immunotherapy.
Treatment of irritant contact dermatitis is more straightforward and will involve eliminating the irritant and preventing future exposure. Your vet may recommend that you bathe your cat in order to wash away the irritant. They may prescribe a special solution for this, or recommend that you use a hypoallergenic shampoo made for cats. Do not use shampoos or products made for human use unless specifically instructed to do so by your vet, as they may worsen the condition.
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Recovery of Contact Dermatitis in Cats
Recovery and prognosis for this condition are generally good for mild cases. Always follow your vet’s post-treatment instructions carefully, and administer any prescribed medications for the full duration of the treatment period even if symptoms start to improve. If you need to bathe your cat, wear gloves if the irritant is still present on your cat’s coat in order to avoid exposing yourself to a harmful chemical.
You’ll need to make sure you employ preventative measures following treatment for contact dermatitis. If your cat has been diagnosed with an allergy, you will need to make sure that you don’t allow your cat to come into contact with the allergen, where possible. You may want to limit your cat’s outdoor activity, particularly if you don’t know what caused the reaction. Always keep all household cleaning products out of reach of your cat. Ensure you clean up any spilled chemicals immediately.
Follow-up appointments to monitor contact dermatitis are generally not necessary. However, if the condition does not seem to be improving with treatment or appears to be getting worse, contact your vet immediately.
Contact Dermatitis Average Cost
From 348 quotes ranging from $250 - $500
Average Cost
$300
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Contact Dermatitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Domestic shorthair
Twelve Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Large Irritation And Loss Of Hair Front Neck
Recently we began using flea collars on our two indoor only cats as the elder was fur mowing and suspected Of flea allergy. This cat, the younger has developed a large area of excoriated skin with hair loss from ear to ear on her front neck and widest in the center. We also had used a new collar but this was less in direct skin contact than the flea collar. When discovered, we removed both collars, cleansed her neck area with water and applied neosporin. Her skin is less angry and raw looking today. Is there anything else you would recommend other than time to heal, regrow fur?
Sept. 25, 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 for urgent emails.
Flea collars can be irritating and don't ten to work very well, other than Soresto collars. Time may help the irritation, but you may also want to discuss other methods of flea control with your veterinarian. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
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domestic short hair
Mouse
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itchy Eyes And Bald Patch On Body
I have been to the vets on numerous occasions with a problem with my cats eyes. Last year he didn’t suffer at all but this year he has been clawing and scratching at his eyes, so much so that a week ago he scratched the cornea. He has now started scratching the other eye and has a big bald patch at the base of his neck. My vet seems to think it could be an allergy to his flea treatment? Can this just happen, even though he has been on stronghold for years?
Aug. 11, 2018
0 Recommendations
Cats (like any animal or human) may develop an allergy or become irritated by food, substances or anything else which they have had contact with their whole lives; I cannot say whether the cause is the flea & tick medication or another cause, but it there is an increase in severity after application it is suggestive. There are many other possible allergens or other causes which also need to be rule out as well; if there is an allergy it can be difficult to narrow in on a specific cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 11, 2018
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Gray Shorthair
Boncuk
9 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wounds
Wounds Hair Loss
Wounds; Hair Loss, Weight Loss,
hi there,
my cat's skin condition has extremely increased and got worsen over last few months. he's been prescribed antibiotics which didn't stop or reverse the condition. his tale and back hair completely lost. pinkish marks on his chest and around and other skin wounds around his neck and body. i am think of two possible causes; 1- his diet that we buy from market 2- he's been sleeping in laundry and might have been effected or developed allergy from chemicals. thinking him having contact dermatitis.
July 22, 2018
2 Recommendations
Both food allergies and contact dermatitis from laundry detergent are both possible causes for the symptoms you’re describing; however allergies may be due to practically any allergen (food or environmental), there may be an infection (not responding to antibiotics), autoimmune disease among other causes. Further investigation is needed and it may be worth do allergy testing to determine if there is a food to common environmental allergen. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 23, 2018
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Contact Dermatitis Average Cost
From 348 quotes ranging from $250 - $500
Average Cost
$300
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
