Skin Lesions in Cats
Key takeaways
Any area of skin that is abnormally different from the tissue around it can be described as a skin lesion.
- Skin lesions vary widely in appearance and include sores, blisters, ulcers, wounds, rashes, warts, tumors, color changes, and any other abnormalities
- Cats commonly experience a variety of different types of skin lesions, and may be predisposed due to age, breed, or environment
- Skin lesions are usually not an emergency, but the severity varies widely
- Almost any category of disease can produce a skin lesion including injuries, allergies, infections, parasites, immune-mediated disorders, endocrine diseases, hereditary disorders, and tumors
- Diagnosis of some types of skin lesions, like burns or warts, is self-evident, while skin scraping, cytology, culture, biopsy, and blood work may be necessary in other cases
- Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and may include parasite control, surgical removal, oral medications, and special shampoos
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A closer look: Skin Lesions in Cats
Cats may develop a wide variety of skin lesions. Characteristics of a skin lesion vary widely and are typically described using a many different terms, such as:
- Color
- Texture
- Depth/elevation
- Size
- Consistency (soft, hard, fluid-filled)
- Dry or wet/draining
- Focal or widespread
- Single or multiple
- Severe or mild
- Progression (growing, spreading, getting worse vs. staying the same or shrinking and improving)
- Involvement of hair follicles/nails
- Itchy or not
Skin lesions are not usually an emergency, but if other serious symptoms like pale gums, collapse, severe bleeding, or labored breathing are present, emergency attention is warranted.
Many different conditions produce similar looking skin lesions, so prompt veterinary attention for diagnostic testing and treatment is warranted.
Examples of different types of skin lesions include
- Blisters
- Macules
- Nodules
- Papules
- Pustules
- Rashes
- Wheals/hives
- Crusts
- Scales
- Scars
- Ulcers
- Hair loss
- Cutaneous masses
- Redness
- Hyperpigmentation
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Possible causes
There are a wide variety of underlying causes of skin lesions in cats including injuries, allergies, infections, parasites, immune mediated conditions, idiopathic, endocrine, and hereditary disorders, and cancer.
Some cats with pancreatic, liver, and adrenal gland disease develop “fragile skin syndrome” and develop skin lesions as a result of delicate, easily damaged skin.
Risk factors
Since skin lesions are caused by so many different conditions, all cats are likely to experience skin lesions over the course of their lives.
Retrovirus-positive cats are predisposed to developing skin lesions from infectious and parasitic agents since they are immunosuppressed.
Testing and diagnosis
Cats recover from some types of skin lesions spontaneously, without specific diagnostics or treatment.
Different diseases can produce similar skin lesions, so diagnostic testing may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
Typical tests include:
- Skin scrape
- Bacterial or fungal culture
- Examination of cells from the skin under a microscope (cytology)
- Biopsy
- Blood work
Treatment for skin lesions varies widely and options include:
- Benign neglect
- Environmental modification
- Wound care
- Medicated shampoos
- Parasite control
- Allergy medication
- Antibiotics/antifungals
- Immunosuppressants
- Surgical removal
- Chemotherapy/radiation
Similar symptoms
Nipples and ticks are commonly mistaken for skin lesions.
Associated symptoms
Sometimes skin lesions are present without any other symptoms.
