What Is Atopic Dermatitis in Cats?

Introduction

As the days grew warmer, Rachel noticed her usually content and carefree Persian cat, Muffin, constantly scratching and grooming herself, leaving red, irritated patches on her skin. Concerned for her beloved pet’s comfort and health, Rachel scheduled an appointment with her veterinarian for a thorough examination. After careful evaluation, the vet diagnosed Muffin with atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition that affects cats of all breeds.

Atopic dermatitis in cats is an allergic disease that causes inflammation and redness. It occurs most often in kittens and young adult cats. It usually appears around six months old. It can cause severe itchiness and discomfort, especially during hot weather. Some cats scratch themselves excessively because of the pain. Other symptoms include dry skin and thickened skin.

Cats with atopy suffer from irritation, itchy skin, scratching, hair loss, and even secondary infections.

There are several different forms:

• Acute atopic dermatitis is a sudden onset of intense itching, excessive licking, rubbing, chewing, and scratching.
• Acute atopic dermatitis (AD) causes itchy skin, scratching, hair loss, and sometimes secondary infections. The most common cause of sensitive AD is flea infestations. Fleas bite the cat, causing irritation and inflammation. This triggers the release of histamines, which cause itchiness and redness.
• Chronic atopic dermatitis occurs over weeks or months and is marked by persistent itching, flaking, crusting, and scaling. CAD can be very painful for the cat and cause secondary infections.
• Intermittent atopic dermatitis is less common and lasts for days or weeks. This form of atopic dermatitis is associated with food allergies. When a cat suffers from IAD, its immune system becomes overactive, causing him to itch excessively. This leads to hair loss and skin irritation.

What are the Causes of Atopic Dermatitis in Cats?

The most common triggers for cat skin allergies include flea bites, environmental allergens, and scratching. For example, if your cat scratches himself frequently, he may develop dermatitis, which causes his skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed. This irritation is caused by an allergic reaction to the proteins found in the saliva of cats.

Sometimes, they pick up fleas and transfer those parasites into other body areas. This process is called auto-transmission. Auto-transmitted fleas can cause irritation and itching in the place where the bite occurred.

Fleas are the most common cause of cat skin allergies. They carry bacteria and parasites that can irritate your cat’s skin. When your cat scratches himself, he releases these organisms into the air, where they can land on your furniture or carpet. These airborne particles can enter your home and settle on surfaces like carpets, rugs, curtains, bedding, and upholstery.

If you notice clinical signs of itchy skin, rubbing, licking, or scratching around the ears, nose, eyes, paws, belly, legs, or genitals, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet can test whether your cat suffers from a cat allergy. He will be able to diagnose your cat’s condition and recommend treatment.

Cat Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Fleas are external parasites that feed on blood and cause irritation to cats. They can also carry diseases such as tapeworms, which can infect humans. If you notice fleas on your cat, you should take immediate action to help keep your pet healthy. Here are some tips to keep your cat safe from fleas.

1. Keep your home clean.
2. Remove clutter around your house. This includes toys, food bowls, bedding, etc. Also, make sure there are no hiding places where fleas can live.
3. Use a flea spray that contains insecticides. These sprays kill adult fleas within 24 hours. Be careful to read labels carefully, though. Some products contain ingredients that can harm your cat.
4. Check your cat’s coat regularly. Look for clinical signs of itchy skin, redness, bumps, or sores. These symptoms indicate that your cat might have flea allergy dermatitis. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
5. Clean your cat’s environment frequently. Scrubbing surfaces like furniture, carpets, and floors helps rid your home of fleas. You can use a vacuum cleaner attachment to do this.
6. Wash your hands often. If you touch your face, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
7. Avoid using flea collars. Collars can irritate your cat’s skin and make him more likely to scratch.
8. Try not to let your cat sleep near your bed. This increases the chances that he will rub against your sheets and pillows.
9. Please do not allow your cat to lick his fur. Licking removes oils that protect your cat from fleas.

Cats with Food Allergies

Most people know that fish and shellfish aren’t suitable for dogs, but what about cats? A recent study found that many cat owners don’t realize that corn and wheat are dangerous for felines too. It causes adverse food reactions, and it turns out that some brands of cat food contain both meat and vegetable protein sources.

The study, published in Veterinary Dermatology, examined the ingredients in over 300 products. Researchers found that nearly half of the samples contained corn, wheat, soybeans, peas, lentils, oats, barley, rice, potato, milk, egg, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, seafood, veal, cheese, cream, butter, oil, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and spices — including turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and ginger.

Of course, there are plenty of healthy options for feline nutrition. But you should check labels carefully before buying. For example, while corn and wheat are considered “safe,” fish and chicken are often the biggest offenders.

Talk to your vet first if you’re concerned about feeding your cat a diet high in these foods. He may be able to recommend a better option.

Environmental Allergies

Environmental allergies, or atopic dermatitis, can affect humans and cats. These allergies are typically caused by exposure to pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, cockroach droppings, or cats. 

For cats, environmental allergies often cause chronic itching and skin irritation. These symptoms can worsen with exposure to an allergen such as pollen or dust mites, and flare-ups may occur when a cat is exposed to certain fabrics or detergents. 

Cats with environmental allergies may show the hair loss and inflammation around their face, ears, feet and abdomen. Treatment for environmental allergies in cats typically involves changing their diet or avoiding potential allergens such as pet dander. Additionally, medications and topical treatments may help reduce itching and inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis in cats.

What are The Clinical Signs of Atopic Dermatitis in Cats?

Cats often itch because they don’t know how to groom themselves adequately. As a result, your pet may rub his face against furniture, carpeting, or other surfaces. He may also lick himself excessively. If you notice any signs of skin irritation, it is essential to take action immediately. Here are some tips to help you identify whether your cat has feline dermatitis:

1. Observe your cat closely. Oversee him for scratching behavior. Is he rubbing his head against things? Does he lick himself excessively? You want to ensure he isn’t licking anything toxic like food off the floor.
2. Look for scabs. Scabs indicate that your cat scratched himself. If you see one, gently clean it off.
3. Check for fleas. Flea bites usually look like small red dots. If you find any, try to catch the insect and kill it. Again, don’t use pesticides or sprays unless directed by a veterinarian.
4. Observe your home. Is there any debris or dirt on your floors or carpets? Are there any spots where your cat likes to sleep? These areas may be contributing factors to your cat’s itching.
5. Make sure your cat gets plenty of exercises. Cats love to play; however, too much activity can lead to excessive grooming. So limit your cat’s daily activities to less than three hours.
6. Contact your vet immediately if you think your cat has a feline skin disease. They can perform tests to determine what type of problem your cat has.

Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis in Cats

The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in cats is similar to that in dogs. However, it is essential to note that some cases of feline AD are due to food allergy rather than actual allergic skin disease.

Allergy testing can be done to identify the common causes of allergic dermatitis and also to determine the best way to make an allergy shot serum. Serum allergenic IgE tests or intradermal testing identify allergens that must be included in an extract for allergy immunotherapies. Allergen-specific Immunotherapies are considered safe and successful, with success rates ranging between 60%-78%.

One of the most practical tests is called the Prick Test. This involves pricking the area of the pet’s skin that appears to be affected and then applying a drop of saline solution. If the skin reacts negatively to the saline solution, it could indicate an allergic reaction. Another helpful test is the Cytology Test, which involves skin scraping to get a sample and examining it under a microscope.

Blood testing is taken to test for allergies. A blood test will reveal if your cat has been exposed to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, or animal dander.

While these tests aren’t foolproof, they can provide valuable insight into whether or not your cat or dog has atopic dermatitis. If you suspect your pet has the disease, talk to your veterinarian about treatment options.

Treatment of Feline Atopic Dermatitis

The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, itching, and scratching. There are a lot of treatment options available today. This can be done using symptomatic therapy, including antihistamines, steroids, cyclosporine, and antibiotics.

Other options include oral corticosteroid injections and ointments, vitamin D supplementation, homeopathy, and acupuncture. These medications work well for some conditions but not others. For example, they may be effective for allergies but not for diseases.

• Antihistamines

There are several types of antihistamines available for use in cats. Antihistamines, when combined with EFAs, may be able to treat 10-25 percent of animals with atopic eczema due to airborne allergens. These include diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®, ChloHemune®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), fexofenadine (Allegra®), loratadine (Clarinex®).

Diphenhydramine is typically recommended for milder cases of AD, while chlorpheniramine is often chosen for moderate to severe cases. For some cats, such as those with liver problems, chlorpheniramine may cause sedation. Larger doses of diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness. Be careful when giving more significant amounts of diphenhydramine because it can cause dilation of blood vessels and dilate pupils. Stop administering the drug immediately if you notice one of these side effects.

• Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is a powerful immune suppressant. It works by inhibiting the body’s production of antibodies. Acyclovir is another option, but it must be given intravenously.

• Topical Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are commonly prescribed medications for treating skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, pruritus, and psoriasis. TCSs have been shown to reduce inflammation and itching associated with these conditions. However, they may also cause side effects, including thinning hair coat, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased appetite. The most common adverse effect seen in dogs is excessive hair shedding; however, there are no published reports of similar problems in cats.

Recovery of Atopy in Cats

There are many treatment options for cats with seasonal allergy outbreaks. Several methods are available, including corticosteroid creams, ointments, oral medications, and other treatments. Some of these treatments include antihistamines, antibiotics, and other drugs. In addition to checking for any side effects, owners must watch for signs of infection or other medical conditions while administering medication.

How to Prevent Feline Atopic Dermatitis?

One of the most common allergens is the protein Fel d 1. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent your cat from developing atopic dermatitis.

One thing to remember is that cats don’t sweat, so they don’t naturally clean themselves off as much as dogs do. As a result, they tend to pick up dirt and bacteria more readily. So, washing your cat regularly is essential, especially after playing outside. Also, Dogs show an approximate prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease between 10 and 15%.

Try to limit your cat’s exposure to dust mites. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments, so keeping your cat’s home cool and dry will help keep them under control. Also, make sure to vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Finally, consider investing in a HEPA filter air purifier. These filters remove 99% of particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter, including pollen, pet hair, dust, mold spores, and viruses.

It’s also important to pay attention to your cat’s diet. Many commercial diets contain ingredients that can trigger allergic reactions, so choosing foods specifically formulated for cats is essential. Make sure to read labels and avoid anything containing wheat, corn, soy, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, or other common allergens.

Cats with atopic dermatitis often benefit from dietary modifications. The most common diet change involves feeding hypoallergenic food. Hypoallergenic foods contain fewer proteins and carbohydrates than regular cat food.

Hypoallergenic diets are available in dry kibble, canned food, and raw meaty bones. Dry kibbles are usually fed once daily, whereas canned food and bare meaty bones should be given twice daily. Providing raw meaty bones requires training because the bones must be chewed thoroughly.

Some owners find that adding probiotics helps reduce inflammation and improve skin health. Probiotic supplements are available over-the-counter and can be mixed into wet food.

Finally, if your cat does develop atopic dermatitis, it’s essential to treat it early. Plenty of over-the-counter medications can help ease symptoms, and prescription drugs are also usually adequate; however, you may need to consult a veterinarian if your cat develops severe eczema.

Frequently Asked Questions