Tabby Talk

You may have noticed white flakes on your cat’s fur, or that it seems dull, thin, is falling out, or that your he is scratching a lot . Skin conditions are common in cats. Here’s a look at the causes and treatments.

Causes

Skin can be caused by poor diet, medical conditions, or the cat’s environment. Since illnesses such as diabetes and bacterial infections can be a root cause of skin issues, it’s important to get your cat checked out by your vet before trying any home treatment. Often a poor coat is the first sign of a serious condition.

Skin problems can also be caused by fungal infections, as is the case with ringworm, or pest infestations such as fleas or mites. Flea infestations can also lead to parasitic infections such as tapeworms.

Allergies and anxiety issues can also lead to skin problems. In some cases, a cat may become obsessive about grooming a certain area to a point where the fur falls out and the skin becomes red and irritated. Plastic feeding dishes can cause acne breakouts on the chins of some cats.

Dry air in many homes during the winter can make you cat’s skin flaky and itchy, as can a poor diet. Once you have ruled out any medical causes for your cat’s condition, you can begin home treatment.

Treatment

For simple dry skin problems, consider using a humidifier in your home and using a moisturizing shampoo to bathe your cat. Vitamin E or Omega-3 capsules added to his food may also help.

In other cases, a change to a high quality diet may do the trick. If your cat eats only dry food, add some wet food to increase their water intake. Cats on dry food only diets are sometimes lacking in nutrients important to the health of their fur and skin.

Yes, it’s true, cats have weight problems too. Is your cat overweight? If so, it may be at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and  other weight related illnesses, just like humans. Not sure if he’s overweight? Run your hands over his sides. If you can’t easily feel his ribs, he’s overweight. Another way to check is to gently hold your cat so that he is standing on his hind feet. A cat with a healthy weight will have defined waist.

If your cat is overweight, have the vet examine him first to make sure the weight isn’t caused by a medical issue. Once that’s been eliminated, here’s what you can do.

Eliminate treats. Commercially produce cat treats are little more than kitty junk food and totally unnecessary in a cat’s diet.

Eliminate people food. Some cats love the foods we eat, but they are better off eating their own. Some of our foods are actually toxic to them, and others, like fried foods, can cause stomach upset.

Feed a high quality diet. Don’t go for what food is cheapest. Your cat needs nutritious and healthy food just like you do. Read the label, and avoid food with lots of grains and fillers. Cats are carnivores and don’t need to carboload! Avoid semi-moist foods as they are mostly junk. Look for a food that has real meat in it and is low on fillers. A weight management formula may be helpful.

If you free feed, stop. Many owners fill their cat’s dish and leave it out all day for them to nibble on when they like. While this works fine for many cats, for some, especially former strays or cats that may have come from a home where they were neglected, it encourages overeating. Get in the habit of taking the food up after an hour or two and feeding 2-3 times a day instead.

Play! Play with your cat whenever you can and make sure they have fun and interesting toys so they can play when you’re not around too. Exercise is important for cats, not only for the obvious weight and health benefits but because like us, a bored cat may tend to eat more. 

IBD or Irritable Bowel Disease is a common digestive disorder in cats, similar to the IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) in humans.  My cat Minky, age 12, has it and can not have any commercial cat food (such as Cat Chow, Friskies, Iams, etc,) or cat treats at all. When he eats them his digestive system goes into an uproar causing him great pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. He is on a special prescription diet and a supplement called Fortiflora, which is pretty much the same thing as human probiotic supplements. The special food and Fortiflora aren’t cheap, but they keep him healthy and pain free.

IBD tends to occur most often in middle aged and older cats. The exact cause is unknown but studies say it could be bacteria, food allergies or simple genetics. Whatever the exact cause, it results in an inappropriate immune response-the cat produces antibodies that attack the digestive system. In my cat’s case we think food allergies are to blame.

Symptoms of IBD include weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, colitis may develop. This is very painful and your cat may cry a lot or produce bloody stool. If your cat is showing signs of IBD, get him to the vet right away. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can cause your cat to become dehydrated which can lead to kidney damage. You vet will do a full physical exam and blood panel, and may also do a urinalysis and/or stool sample examination to rule out parasites and other disorders.

IBD is treated with anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and dietary changes. Your vet may put your cat on a prescription diet. If so, it is important to not to take your cat off this diet without your vet’s approval. 

Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats.

 Just as in humans, the thyroid gland, which controls metabolism, can begin to fail. The symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, increased vocalization, restlessness, increased thirst and increased urination. Sometimes it can also cause vomiting, diarrhea and a dull and greasy coat.

If you notice any of these signs in your cat, it’s important to get him checked by a vet. A simple blood test is all that’s needed to diagnose the disorder, and since the symptoms are also those of diabetes, another common disease in older cats, a vet visit is in order. Another reason it’s so important is that hypothyroidism can put considerable strain on the eyes. heart and kidneys, which could be irreversible.

If your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, you’ll have three treatment options, surgery, radiation treatment, or medication. Most opt to go with medication. Surgery is risky and putting an older cat under anesthesia is not to be taken lightly, and radiation treatment costly and has to be done at specialized facilities which will require you to be separated from your cat for several weeks. Visiting will most likely not be an option as your cat will literally be radioactive for awhile. Your cat will have to be on the medication for the rest of its life. If he does not respond well to the medication, or it’s hard to administer, one of the other options may be better for you. Discuss it with your vet and do your homework so you will make the best choice for your cat!