What is Skin Rash?
The skin is the body’s first line of defense against the hazards of the outside world. When a potential invader comes in contact with the skin, such as a bacteria or fungus, the immune system fights back, sending specialized cells to the point of impact. However, when the body reacts to a substance, the body has an inflammatory response which can potential lead to an allergic reaction. Skin rash in cats is a highly pruritic condition that commonly affects the underbelly, feet, nose, ears and mouth of a cat. The underlying cause of skin rash in cats can be caused by a variety of factors, making the inciting cause difficult to pinpoint.
Skin rash in cats is an overreaction of the immune system to an otherwise harmless substance. Skin rash in cats, also known as feline contact dermatitis, is caused by direct or indirect contact with an irritant, or allergenic substance.
Skin Rash Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Skin Rash in Cats
Skin rash in cats will cause a notable reddening of the skin. The area affected will be irritated, pruritic (itchy), and inflamed. Common areas affected by skin rash include the cat’s anus, abdomen, toes, ears, and chin, as there is not much fur to protect the skin from the irritating substance. Additional symptoms linked to skin rash in cats includes:
- Papules
- Blisters
- Vesicles
- Thickening of the skin
- Dandruff
- Scratching
- Biting of the skin
- Greasy fur
- Secondary bacterial infections
Causes of Skin Rash in Cats
Skin rash in cats is a result of a feline coming into direct or indirect contact with a substance. The immune system mistakenly takes one of these harmless substances as an intruder and releases a chemical response to the skin, resulting in an allergic reaction. Skin rash in cats can be caused by either an irritant or allergenic substance.
Irritant Skin Rash Causes
- Chemicals
- Solvents
- Topical medications
- Detergents
- Soaps
- Perfumes
- Plastic
- Fibers
Allergenic Skin Rash Causes
- Insect bites
- Parasites (especially fleas)
- Foods
- Mites
- Fleas
- Medications
- Plants
- Bacterial or fungal infection
Diagnosis of Skin Rash in Cats
Diagnosis of a skin rash in cats will require a review of the cat’s medical history, plus a great deal of communication between the pet owner and the veterinarian. Pet owners will be required to tell the veterinarian when the symptoms were first noted, where the cat spends most of her time, and what the pet owner suspects could be the cause of the skin rash. Any new additions to the home such as furniture, deodorizers, or carpeting should be noted as textile materials could be the root of the problem. Changes the pet owner has made to the cat’s food, medications, preventative flea/tick treatments, and even a new collar or food dish should be taken into consideration.
Tests can include skin combings for fleas or flea dirt, skin scrapes for mites and cultures.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian may choose to perform a patch test. A patch test is a simple test in which the veterinarian will take a sample of the suspected irritant and tape it directly on the cat’s skin. The substance will remain on the cat’s skin for a duration of time, then removed for assessment. If a rash appears underneath the taped substance, the skin rash substance has been pinpointed. If the tape test proves ineffective, the veterinarian may ask the client to remove the feline from the suspected irritant. He/she may also ask the owner to monitor the cat’s daily activities and daily diet to see if they can detect any possible causes at home.
If the underlying cause of the skin rash remains undetected, the veterinarian may move on to perform an allergy test on the cat’s blood serum or perform a skin biopsy.
Treatment of Skin Rash in Cats
Once the underlying cause of the skin rash has been pinpointed, the feline will need to be removed from that substance immediately. The doctor may bathe the feline with specialty shampoo to remove the particles of the substance from the skin and apply a topical corticosteroid to the cleansed skin to relieve symptoms. The best treatment option for skin rash in cats is to remove the irritating substance from the feline’s environment, but if the substance cannot be removed, therapeutic treatment will likely be prescribed.
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Recovery of Skin Rash in Cats
The prognosis for a cat with skin rash varies from feline to feline. Some felines’ immune response balances out over time and the substance no longer causes the feline to develop contact dermatitis. However, other cats simply have an over-responsive immune system and pet owners may find more than one substance causes their pet’s skin to break out in a rash. The best way cat owners can keep their cat’s skin rash under control is by following the management and preventative program established by their veterinarian.
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Skin Rash Average Cost
From 226 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Top
Skin Rash Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Unknown
Fluff
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching
Rash
Hello. My cat seems to have rash + it's all over its body. The rash comes and goes after few weeks or months, it's like it has flammations. what should I do? (I have no idea why she has this itchness, I have three other cats and they don't have any itch.)
Sept. 15, 2018
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Bengal
jaxx
6 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dry Patches
my cat has had a rash on his belly for about two months. he doesn't seem too bothered by it but does lick it often. he lost a patch of hair in the area. it feels dry and patchy
Sept. 7, 2018
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Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Janis
4 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Discharge
Rash
I have two four and a half month old kittens. They are sisters and I rescued them at four weeks. They were both spayed at about 3 months I think and had no complications.
I noticed a skin rash developing on one of my kittens’ necks. It isn’t visible under her fur, but very easy to feel. Feels like raised little pimples or ingrown hairs that have scabbed. I figured it would go away after a few days but instead it has spread quite a bit and gotten worse. There is only one spot that looks like a sore visible through her fur. Now the other kitten is starting to get it as well.
I haven’t noticed any incessant scratching, though they definitely have both scratched this rash since I noticed it. Behavior is normal and they are eating and playing happily. The only other symptom I have noticed is an eye discharge. I treated them for a small eye thing a while back with the cream, but either that didn’t work or this is different. Now it’s green/thick like a human with a cold.
I am taking the first one to the vet tomorrow but I am very worried about my babies :(
Sept. 4, 2018
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domestic short hair
Emi
9 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lots Of Scratching
Lots Of Scratching, Scabs
I was petting my cat and I felt a hard part, me thinking it was just dried up soft food, I went to take her a bath earlier than usual. But when I looked she had scabs and just red spots that looked like a rash. I got so worried but cannot afford at the moment to go to the vet hospital and get it checked out. I looked online and saw a lot about allergies etc. All I had to help her for a quick “fix” is my dogs antiseptic spray and my dogs Jax n daisy antibacterial and antifungal lotion. I just don’t really know what to do.
Sept. 2, 2018
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DOMESTIC
Raven
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Acting Strange
Scabby Neck,
My cat has been dealing with this for a while and it is not from him licking himself.It is very noticible because he is a black cat. The hair loss is all the way up to his neck, He barely has any fur. On his neck the scabs are everywhere and we have no idea what to do. Please help
Aug. 31, 2018
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Persian Cat
B
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Past few days my cat is keeeping her face in the water for long. Now i can see the skin has become red the the near. And it looks like it has lost a lot of hair. Before it was just near the chin and neck. But its becoming red near chest too. I dont understand if its because of water or he is actually having some skin disease. He is always smelling near that area. Kindly help
Tabi
Lexi
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lumps, Scabs, Sores On Ears And Nose
My cat is indoor/outdoor and we live in texas. Every year when it starts to heat up she lumps/scabs/sores on her nose and ears. All the tests done by vet comes up negative.
Shorthair
Vladimir
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Scabs
Rash
Patchy Skin
My cat recently got a rash on the side of his mouth. I am using the same litter as usual, the only things that I could think of are that I've added deodorant pods to the litter box (litter box friendly), or that he got into something while sunbathing on our balcony.
Mixed breed
Chilindrina
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Itching
My cat scratches herself a lot even cuts herself, her butt his loose hair and red pimples every where, has lost some hair on the legs, and has lost hair on her tummy and like I said has red pimples. Is it fungal? Bacteria? On her skin or is it irritation? Or both? What medication should I use?
Persian
rusky
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ringworm
Ringworm Dryskin
Ringworm Dryskin, Redrashes
We groom our cat as he suffered from ringworm he is 3 years old..After treating for ringworm he again suffers from dry and itchy skin with red rashes and its happens again and again now.Due to dry skin he suffered from hair loss (No hair on body now), and still red rashes on his skin. Now we dont notice any hair growth. Pl help us with solution.
Skin Rash Average Cost
From 226 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
