Feline Pyoderma: Symptoms and Treatment

1 Feline Pyoderma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

1. What is feline pyoderma

Feline pyoderma is a purulent skin infection caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, usually when the pet’s living environment is damp. When parasites are present or immunity is low, skin staph multiplies, causing inflammation and pus.

2. Common causes

Small wounds, or bites from fleas, mites, or mosquitoes, can let skin infections take hold — especially in the hot, humid summer. When hygiene is poor or nutrition is lacking and immunity drops, pyoderma can spread quickly.

3. Symptoms of feline pyoderma

Pyoderma includes superficial pyoderma, pyotraumatic dermatitis, and deep pyoderma.

Superficial pyoderma starts as red patches or lumps that become pustules; when they burst they crust over and itch. Scratching spreads the lesions to other parts of the body.

Pyotraumatic dermatitis comes from an infected surface wound. In long-haired cats small injuries are easy to miss; in summer’s damp conditions they inflame and suppurate, with a red, swollen center and pus on either side.

Deep pyoderma results from bacterial folliculitis, acne, or ringworm. The skin barrier breaks down and its protective oils are lost. It commonly appears on the chin, paws, and between the front toes, and the cat licks its feet from the itch.

4. Treatment

Have the vet take a skin scraping to identify the cause before treating. For home care, focus on reducing inflammation, killing bacteria, improving the environment, and adding nutrition.

1) What medication to use

For superficial pyoderma, an antibacterial skin spray and zinc oxide ointment help fight infection and calm the skin; the spray targets pustules, eczema, and hair loss, while the ointment relieves pyoderma, eczema, and ulcers with its astringent and antibacterial action.

For traumatic pyoderma, an ethacridine lactate antiseptic solution can disinfect and help the wound heal.

Deep pyoderma needs systemic oral antibiotics — a pet-specific amoxicillin powder works as a whole-body anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

2) Nursing care

Before treatment, clip the fur around the affected area to reduce bacteria and improve air flow; keep surrounding fur short so other lesions aren’t missed.

Bathe the cat with a pet-specific shampoo and dry the coat completely afterward. Keep the environment clean and let the cat sunbathe in a dry, warm space.

3) Regular deworming

Parasites help drive skin disease, so deworm your cat internally and externally on a regular schedule — adult cats can be dewormed monthly.

The above covers the symptoms and treatment of feline pyoderma. If you have other questions about cat skin disease, you can consult an online vet.