Cat skin and ear infections

Bartonella spp. is a type of bacteria living inside red blood cells, leading to a condition called bartonellosis. Fleas pass bartonella to cats through their feces, and cats become infected through regular grooming behavior leading to feces ingestion,

Foxtails and other grasses produce seeds that have evolved to stick to hair and penetrate skin as a dispersal mechanism. Grass awns penetrate the body through the skin or tissue around the eyes, but are also often found in the mouth, nose, or ears.

Pemphigus refers to a group of autoimmune skin diseases in cats that differ in severity and location on the body. The most common forms are pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, and pemphigus erythematosus, although the condition is rare overall.

Otitis media and interna refer to inflammation of the middle and inner ear. These terms are often used as synonyms for middle and inner ear infections.

Feline acne occurs when the follicles on the chin become clogged with oils from the skin and dirt from the environment. The causes are not fully understood but have been linked to poor grooming, infection, stress, allergies, or abnormal sebum production.

Otitis externa is inflammation of the external part of the ear canal. In cats, otitis externa is most commonly caused by ear infections and the terms are often used synonymously.  

Melanomas are tumors of pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes. Formation of melanoma involves a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors and may be malignant or benign. Feline melanoma usually develops in the mouth, eyes, or skin.

Dermatophytosis, also known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails. Infection occurs through contact between broken skin and infected animals or contaminated surfaces.

Botflies are large, bee-like insects, whose larvae cause cuterebriasis in cats. Cuterebriasis occurs when botfly larvae grow to maturity in a cat’s skin, resulting in large, soft swellings

Aspergillosis is a type of fungal infection in cats caused by the organism Aspergillus, a species of fungus. Two types of aspergillosis occur in cats: nasal (affects the nose) and systemic (affects internal organs).

The anal glands (AGs) are two small pouches located on either side of the anus. The glands produce secretions that are stored, then deposited on the feces during the passage of a stool.

Mast cells are white blood cells which regulate histamine response in the body and can be found in the skin, spleen, and intestines. Mast cell tumors in cats are masses formed by the rapid replication of mast cells.

Injection site sarcoma is a rare condition in cats where a cancerous mass develops in the soft tissue around an injection site. While all injections initially cause a small bump, masses that are present for over 3 months, greater than 2cm in diameter, or grow rapidly require urgent care.

Frostbite is a rare condition in cats that results from loss of blood flow to parts of the body as a result of extreme cold. The body restricts blood flow to the extremities when exposed to severely cold temperature.

Papillomatosis is the development of oral or cutaneous papillomas (also called warts) due to infection by a papillomavirus. Papillomatosis is very rare in cats.

Eosinophilic granuloma complex is a condition characterized by the appearance of lesions on the skin in response to an allergen. Eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) target the allergen in the blood, leading to a grouping of inflammatory cells (granuloma) that creates a large mass or lesion on the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a cancer of the flat cells that line many tissues in cats, such as the skin, mouth, and esophagus. SCC occurs most commonly where hair is sparse or light-colored as there is less protection from UV rays.

Mammary gland tumors are masses that result from uncontrolled cell growth in the mammary (breast) tissue. They are common in older, unspayed cats and are usually malignant.

Feline alopecia or hair loss is the partial or complete absence of hair in areas of the body where hair is expected to be.

Demodicosis is a form of mange caused by parasitic Demodex spp. mites. It differs from sarcoptic mange and notoedric mange, or “feline scabies”, which are caused by Sarcoptes spp. mites.

Cheyletiellosis in cats is a form of mange commonly known as ‘walking dandruff’. Caused by parasitic Cheyletiella species of mites living on the skin of many animals including cats, dogs, and rabbits

Feline scabies, or mange, is a rare, but highly contagious condition caused by the parasitic mite Notoedres cati.

Cats experience two types of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. They both involve skin contact with an offending substance which leads to a dermatologic reaction.

Head tilt refers to an abnormal posture of the head, where the head is tilted to one side with one ear lower than the other.

Allergies are common in cats, similar to other species. Harmless proteins in the environment (allergens) stimulate the immune system, which overreacts and produces a strong inflammatory response.

Food allergies are a reaction of the immune system to specific proteins within the diet.

Skin lumps occurring within or near the surface of the skin are called cutaneous masses.

Whereas humans get sneezy and sniffly at certain times of the year, some cats get red, itchy skin and secondary skin infections for the same reason: seasonal allergies.

Lymphadenopathy, or enlarged lymph nodes, is swelling of the lymph nodes due to infection, inflammation, or the presence of tumor cells in the nodes.

Feline Solar Dermatitis is a serious skin disorder that occurs in cats with thin hair or short, white hair.