A skin rash on your cat may be indicative of several skin or internal problems. You should detect a rash and get a clear diagnosis from the vet so that you can treat your pet in a timely manner. The possible causes of skin rashes may include:
Skin Infections
Skin infections (i.e. caused by different bacteria or fungi) can cause rashes on the cat’s skin. The cat may experience itchiness and by scratching and biting the skin, he may cause rashes.
Flea Allergy
Cats may be allergic to fleas and can develop skin rashes when infected by fleas. This may be due to the fact that the fleas irritate the skin, but may also be partly due to the fact that the fleas bite the cat and the saliva can cause an allergic reaction.
Contact Allergy
The cat can be allergic to different materials and substances he comes in contact with. Such materials may be:
- Plastic (i.e. the food or water bowl)
- Wool
- Synthetic fabrics (i.e. bedding or items of clothing)
- Copper and other metals
The rashes will be visible in the areas the cat has had contact with the culprit material. The materials should be identified and removed from the cat’s surroundings, so that the rashes can be treated and prevented in the future.
Allergy to Toxins
The cat may also develop allergy to toxins such as smoke, paints and household cleaners. In addition to symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, the cat may also have rashes.
Reactions to Drugs
The skin rashes may be due to a negative reaction to drugs such as antibiotics, steroids or others. The reactions will occur a few days after starting the treatment and once the drugs are discontinued, should disappear.
Drug allergies should be detected and the cat should avoid these drugs in the future.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance can lead to the development of skin rashes. The cat may be allergic to a number of ingredients or just a food in the diet and this should be isolated and removed from the pet’s diet. Food trials will be carried out.
In addition to rashes, the cat may also display symptoms such as:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- flatulence
- enlarged abdomen
- stomach aches
Insect Bite Reaction
Cats may react negatively to an insect bite. Typically, cats are allergic to flea bites, fly bites or tick bites. The insect bites may also be visible and will look like bumps and can also be discolored.
Blood Coagulation Problems
Coagulopathies or blood coagulation problems can cause skin rashes. These problems may be hereditary or immune system mediated.
Skin Tumors
If the cat is affected by a skin tumor, he may have different skin rashes near the tumor. The tumor can be identified as an abnormal growth, which can vary in size color and texture. A skin biopsy is necessary to diagnose the tumor, as it may not be necessarily malignant.