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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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
Cross
Dahlia
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rashes
Fur Loss
Patches
My rescued cat has developed skin rashes around eyes, nose, elbows and underbelly. It's all red and with barely few fur. She was recently groomed and treated for fleas and ticks. But she still looks all ichy and hurts herself while ichhying. Applied Fiprofort ointment for treatment but still not seeing much improvement. She is fed high quality cat food. Please advise what further could be done.
Aug. 3, 2018
0 Recommendations
This may be due to grooming equipment (not placing blame here), allergies (new litter, detergents etc…), parasites, infections among other causes; without examining Dahlia and possibly doing a skin scraping I cannot give any specific advice but you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 4, 2018
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Simese
Prissy
6 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Hair Loss And Scabs
Last year and the year before my cat started to itch her body all the way up to her neck ears and face. It soon caused her to be compltley hair less and sores all over her. We went and got some type of shampoo for her and soon after she started getting her hair back and healing up. A couple days ago i notcied the same thing is happening to her again which is the same time it last happened. She has always eat the same food and if i changed it she would throw up. She is a INDOOR cat and dose not like going outside at all. Shes always been a indoor cat. The first couple years i had her this never happened. Shes 6 years old so shes not that old. I dont understand what could cause this. Please HELP!!
Aug. 2, 2018
1 Recommendations
If this is happening again around the same time of year it may be due to a seasonal allergy or to something that is done only once per year (like carpet cleaning etc…); I cannot say specifically what the cause is but you should carry out the same treatment as last year and think about what possibly has changed last year and this year to make this reaction. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 2, 2018
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DOMESTIC
Lucas Radabee Lee
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking And Biting Area
Our house cat has been enjoying the new garden we have but I have noticed he has a rash on the inside of both his legs and has been licking them non stop. They look sore and pink in these areas He was flea treated when we moved in but the house was very dirty and dusty. It could be dust mites or there also appears to be an ant hill outside where he tends to lay. Is there nay treatment I should be giving him to help or should he go to the Vet? Should I clean the carpets as the letting agents have done nothing in the way of cleaning, if it will help him I will do them straight away.
Aug. 1, 2018
0 Recommendations
It is difficult to say what the specific cause for the rash could be, there are many possible potential irritants especially in a new environment which may lead to a skin rash; it is always good to clean a new home thoroughly as you can never be sure how thorough the person who cleaned it last was, you should try to get rid of any ants or other insects around the house and apply a topical spot on flea & tick medication just for good measure. Your Veterinarian may be able to identify some bites if present and may prescribe something to ease any itching. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 1, 2018
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Calico
scruffy
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scabby Ears, Missing Fur, Redness
An outdoor cat has been cominng around (apparently an elderly man down the street "owns" him) and all his hair is missing on his ears and around his eyes - and he has irritated scabby and red skin in place of it. His ears are like hard scabby and crusty skin on the outside. He's taken a liking to us cause we feed him, and since I have been cleaning inside his ears with ear wipes and putting an anti-itch hydrocortisone spray on his ears and face (it's like an oil spray made for cats bought at walmart). Short of taking him to the vet - with very limited funds and again he's not my cat ... yet - I don't know what else i can do to ease his itchy suffering. The weird thing is I never see him scratch. I've checked him for fleas and saw none. He has a few patches of hair missing between the shoulders and base of tail, but his head and face are the worst. For reference, he is a calico probably a female, about 6-7 lbs (real small - maybe a few years old cause I saw him last year too). Is there something OTC I can get him that will be better and help his skin heal? I'm so sad for him. He is eating fine and I believe going to the bathroom ok - he acts normal other than is REALLY affectionate and seems like he just wants loved. If he is still out in the winter I will probably snag him up - we already have 5 cats and one dog --- a full house -- but it breaks my heart to see them out in the cold - and honestly if his "owner" lets him out in the cold then maybe he really don't want him. I don't know - I've been heartbroken for two weeks over him :( Please help.
July 29, 2018
2 Recommendations
Without examining Scruffy I cannot say what the specific cause is for the scabby skin and missing fur especially if there is no sign of itching since parasites (mites and fleas) generally cause intense itching; I would recommend giving a topical spot on medication against fleas, ticks and mites but we don’t know if the owner is giving anything and any over the counter medication wouldn’t be advisable as again we don’t know for certain if the owner is giving any treatment which leaves us in a bad position. Since this may be another person’s cat, you should make contact with them to determine whether they are the owner and try to determine any treatment which may have already been given, if no treatment has been given try to bathe Scruffy with a sensitive cat shampoo and apply a topical spot on flea & tick medication (Revolution containing selamectin is best as it covers ear mites etc…). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 29, 2018
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Skin Rash Average Cost
From 226 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
