Feline Pyoderma Symptoms and Treatments

Pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin. 90% of cases are caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. Pyoderma is classified according to the depth of skin involvement.

Feline Impetigo
Impetigo in cats is an infection of the dermis of the skin that occurs in newborn kittens. Scabs, blisters and purulent crusts can develop on the skin of newborn kittens 1-2 weeks old. They usually appear on the abdomen. These sores sometimes contain pus. They are caused by poor sanitation in the kitten box and secondary bacterial infection.

Treatment: Keep the nest clean of food, stools and dried debris. Cleanse scabs with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide and wash with a surgical soap. Then apply an antibiiotic ointment such as Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Neomycin. In severe infections oral or injectable antibiotics may be required.

Feline Bacterial Folliculitis
This is a localized infection of hair follicles. It is often associated with more extensive skin involvement but may occur by itself. Deeper involvement of hair follicles is called furunculosis. When numerous hair follicles are affected, a carbuncle may form.

Treatment: A satisfactory resolution of pyoderma comprises both the cure of the cutaneous signs and the prevention of recurrences. As most pyodermas are secondary infections, the diagnosis and control of the underlying problem is mandatory for a good therapeutic success. If the underlying illness is not controlled, the pyoderma may recur after the antibiotics are interrupted. On the other hand, if the underlying cause is corrected, but the pyoderma is not treated, the bacterial infection may not heal on its own.

Feline Acne (Dermatophytosis or Demodecosis)
Feline acne develops in the sebaceous glands on the underside of the chin and edges of the lips. Blockage of skin pores by excess sebum or keratin is a predisposing cause. It is more common among cats with oily skin. It is not analogous to acne in people.

Feline acne is identitfied by finding blackheads or pimple-like-bumps that come to a head and drain pus. Swelling of the entire chin and lower lips may be seen in severe cases.

Treatment: The infection usually responds to cleansing of the skin twice a day with an ointment or gel containing 2.5% to 5% benzoyl perozide (OxyDex), chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) or povidone-iodine (Betadine). When excess sebum is a factor, the skin should be cleansed with a tar and sulfa shampoo for cats. An extensive or deep infection may require antibiotics. As the underlying condition remains the same, acne often recurs when treatment is stopped.

Feline Tail Gland Hyperplasia Stud Tail
This condition is similar to acne because it is caused by oversecretion of sebaceous glands. As you part the hair on top of the tail near its base you may see an accumulation of waxy brown material. In severe cases the hair follicles become infected. The hair becomes matted and greasy, develops a rancid odor and fall out. The condition is most common in tomcats but may occur in females and neutered males.

Treatment: Wash the tail twice a day with a tar and sulfa shampoo for cats and sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder. If the skin is infected, treat as you would for Cellulitis and Abscesses (below). Neutering may relieve the condition in tomcats.

Cellulitis And Abscesses
Cellulitis is an inflammation involving the deep layers of the skin. Most cases are caused by animal bites or scratches (cat fights). Puncture wounds allow skin bacteria to get established beneath the epidermis. Infection can be prevented in many fresh wounds if proper care is taken of them within the first few hours.

The signs of skin cellulitis are pain (tenderness to pressure), warmth (it feels hotter than normal), firmness (its not as soft as it should be) and change in color (it appears redder than it should be). As the infection spreads from the wound into the lymphatic system, you may see red streaks in the skin and be able to feel enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, armpit or neck.

A skin abscess is a localized pocket of pus beneath the surface of the skin. Pimples, pustules, furuncles and boils are examples of small abscesses. The signs are the same as those of cellulitis except that an abscess feels like fluid under pressure.

If hot packs are applied to an area of cellulitis, the heat and moisture assist the natural defenses of the body to surround the infection and make it come to a head. The skin over the top of an abscess thins out and ruptures, allowing the pus to be evacuated. Then the pocket heals from below.

Treatment: Antibiotics are used in the treatment of wound infections, cellulitis and abscesses. Most skin bacteria respond well to Penicilin, Keflex, Tetracycline or Chloromycetin, but cultures and antibiotic sensitivity tests may be indicated to select a drug.

Next article: Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex Symptoms and Treatments