The cat has a narrow, wet stripe covering his nose. Nasal diseases in cats

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7 reasons why a cat goes bald on its stomach and hind legs

Shedding. The cat sheds everywhere, including on his stomach and paws. The cat starts to itch. This partial baldness is seasonal. And then new and healthy hair will appear on previously problem areas.

Poor nutrition. Poor quality prepared or unbalanced food can lead to baldness in a cat. If you don’t adjust your pet’s diet, the problems can get worse and lead to irreparable consequences. The fur can become very clumpy.

Avitaminosis. A lack of vitamins also leads to the appearance of bald patches on the cat's stomach and hind legs. If there is a lack of vitamins, most often there is a lack of vitamins D, A, F and E. Veterinarians recommend administering a vitamin complex in oil to pets.

Skin diseases. If the cause of your cat's baldness is skin diseases, sores, or wounds on the skin, you should first consult a specialist for treatment. A problem like a wound will not go away on its own. The cat will constantly lick the wounds. The skin begins to peel and peel. Skin diseases will require an integrated approach, including the prescription of vitamins and beneficial microelements to maintain immunity.

Hormonal problems. Problems with the endocrine system can lead to baldness of the animal. In this case, many diseases can be diagnosed. But all of them are accompanied by lethargy, low temperature and sometimes obesity of the pet.

Stress. Stress experienced by a pet can cause many diseases and pathologies in the body. You need to understand what the pet suffered from and not cause similar cases again. In general, it is better to buy special medications on the eve of any possible stressful situations (moving, visiting a doctor).

Allergic reaction. If your pet has allergies, most often a rash will be visible on his skin in the area of bald spots. Your pet's eyes may become watery. He will sneeze frequently. In this case, the lint will fall out in large pieces.

In profile, cats of different breeds differ significantly from each other. The elongated and straight nose of an Oriental cat can be as much as 5 centimeters longer than the nose of a Persian, which resembles a small button. But no matter how the nose looks, it faithfully serves the cat throughout its life, being an important sensory organ and the beginning of the respiratory system. The inhaled air is cleaned and heated in the nose before entering the lungs. In addition to vital oxygen, a cat can inhale pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as various foreign bodies.

Fortunately, a cat's nose is an excellent biological filter that prevents most germs from entering the body. Microorganisms and dust settle on the mucous membrane and are then excreted through the nose. Therefore, sometimes dark thin crusts are noticeable in a cat’s nose, which the animal gets rid of when washing. This discharge, which does not impede breathing, is not a sign of illness.

A cat can inhale foreign bodies: a blade of grass, a thread, a small fish bone, and even an insect. Then she begins to sneeze continuously and rubs her nose with her paw. In most cases, the foreign body comes out on its own. Otherwise, you should not try to remove it: you can seriously injure the nasal mucosa, and it is necessary to provide the cat with the care of a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your cat's nose is running, she is sneezing and has difficulty breathing, then the poor thing is most likely seriously ill. It is through the nose that pathogens of the most dangerous and incurable diseases - infectious peritonitis (FIP) and leukemia (FeLV) - enter the animal's body. Only timely vaccinations can protect your cat from these deadly diseases.

Several infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract are combined under the name “cat runny nose”. Their causative agents are herpes viruses, reoviruses, caliceviruses, and chlamydia. Symptoms of a cat runny nose are sneezing, coughing, eye inflammation, fever, general weakness and apathy. Discharge from the eyes and nose is initially watery and then sticky or purulent. It is often difficult for an animal to breathe through its nose. Because of this, the appetite worsens, because the cat does not smell the food. Calicevirus, in addition to the described symptoms, can cause ulceration of the oral mucosa.

Different animals suffer from cat runny nose in different ways: some get off with a slight illness, while in others the disease is very severe. Of course, you shouldn’t wait for things to get worse by relying on home remedies. At the first signs of illness, and especially when the temperature rises, you should consult a doctor. Cat runny nose can be cured with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, but it is better to vaccinate your cat. Advanced respiratory infections can lead to pneumonia.

Against the background of a cat's runny nose, a secondary bacterial infection can develop - inflammation of the maxillary (nasal) sinuses. At the same time, the cat sneezes, spraying white, yellowish, often bloody, secretion. The animal's appetite remains normal, since breathing is not difficult, and discharge comes from the nasal sinuses. Sinusitis is treated with antibiotics; in severe cases, the nasal cavities are washed, opening them from the outside.

Cats that frequently suffer from colds may develop polyps - benign growths the size of cherries - in their nasal passages. Signs of polyps: difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, periodic bouts of sneezing. Some cats shake their heads, which can change the timbre of their voice and make it difficult to swallow. The only way to get rid of polyps is through surgery.

Some cats may suffer from allergic rhinitis. An animal with allergies sneezes and, unlike a runny nose caused by a cold, nasal discharge is always watery. Cats, like people, can have allergic reactions to pollen from certain plants or to chemicals. Allergy prevention measures involve identifying the allergen and preventing it from entering the cat's environment. You can relieve allergic rhinitis with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs. Fortunately, cats suffer from allergies quite rarely.

Thus, respiratory diseases of cats are similar in symptoms and treatment methods to humans. Under no circumstances should you try to treat a coughing and sneezing cat with antibiotics, which, for example, quickly helped a child who caught a cold last winter. Only a veterinarian can prescribe an effective medicine to a cat in a dosage suitable for a particular animal. The best way to protect your cat from diseases is timely vaccination. Combined vaccination against the causative agents of "cat runny nose", infectious peritonitis and chlamydia.

The first vaccination is at the age of 8-9 weeks. Repeated vaccination - at the age of 11-12 weeks. Subsequent repeated vaccinations - annually.

Lina LASLOVSKAYA
"Friend" No. 12, 2000

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If your beloved Murka has become restless, constantly scratches her fur, bites herself, rubs against furniture, her fur has lost its shine and significant hair loss has become noticeable, then your cat is suffering from a skin disease. In most cases, the above symptoms are caused by skin parasites...

The nose is the most delicate and sensitive organ. The inside is lined with a mucous membrane dotted with nerves and blood vessels; thin bones and cartilage are easily injured. A cat's nose can bleed even from a minor impact on a hard surface, for example, as a result of an unsuccessful jump. Strong odors lead to local irritation - redness, itching, swelling. A responsible owner must notice changes in time and know how to help his pet.

Curious cats poke their noses everywhere as they explore the world. Sometimes the thirst for adventure leads to bruises - an unexpectedly opened door, a springing branch, an object falling from a table. If the cat’s nose is swollen, the mucous membranes are red or bluish, and there is dried blood in the nostrils, a soft tissue bruise, fracture, hematoma, or other consequences of injury are suspected. The pet is in pain - it rubs its nose with its paw, does not allow itself to be touched, and is looking for a secluded place. If a cat has a bloody nose, dried clots block the nasal passages - the pet sniffles, sneezes, snorts. It is necessary to take the cat to the veterinarian and take an x-ray to assess the severity of the injury.

If your cat's flow doesn't stop, you should give your pet first aid. There is no need to throw back your head or even pick up an injured animal. The cat is placed on the back of the sofa (or in another place on a hill), the nose is carefully blotted with a paper napkin, and cold is applied to the bridge of the nose. You need to act carefully, since a crack in the cartilage, a laceration, a bump on a cat’s nose and other consequences of injury are extremely painful - an indelicate touch can provoke aggression.

Read also: Cataracts in cats: symptoms and treatment

Wounds

A scratch, bite, laceration on a cat’s nose and any other injury that breaks the skin is an entry point for billions of pathogenic microbes. To stop bleeding, the wound is blotted with a gauze swab soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide. After a few minutes, the edges of the wound are treated with brilliant green or a healing ointment (for example, levomekol). The treatment is repeated until complete healing. If a sore on your cat’s nose does not go away within three days or an abscess forms at the site of the wound, you should consult a veterinarian.

Infections

Heavy nasal discharge in a cat is often a symptom of infection. The fluid may be thick, clear or cloudy, flowing only after physical activity or all the time. Drainage during infections is usually bilateral, that is, the cat's nose runs from both nostrils at once. Usually, at the beginning of the disease, the liquid is watery and transparent, and as the disease develops, the cat’s nasal discharge becomes thick, foul-smelling, opaque and colored - yellowish, pinkish, swampy, etc. Heterogeneous greenish-gray discharge is pus from the cat’s nose, formed due to increased activity of pyogenic microbes. You should consult a doctor immediately, especially if symptoms include coughing and sneezing, high fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes, refusal to eat, and apathy. Many viruses are deadly, and delay is unjustifiably risky. Before visiting a veterinarian, you should not use any nasal drops for cats, as a symptomatic remedy will complicate the diagnosis. To facilitate the breathing process, the discharge is removed with a damp swab.

In addition to viruses, a cat's nasal discharge can become worse due to a bacterial or fungal infection. As a rule, illnesses of this kind indicate a decrease in immunity, which is fraught with more serious diseases. Fungus on a cat’s nose may seem harmless - appetite is preserved, activity is normal. But this is a deceptive calm before the “storm”, so consultation with a veterinarian is necessary. Bacteria - cocci, etc. - also pose a serious danger due to immune suppression. If a cat’s nose is peeling, the color of the nose or the fur on its face suddenly changes, or strange crusts, dots, or spots appear on the nose, be sure to do an analysis to identify fungi/bacteria (culture).

The cause of the appearance of crusts may be injury - the thin sensitive skin of a cat's nose is easily injured. The cat could have scratched its nose during play, in a fight with fellow tribesmen, or in an unfortunate fall from a height. Examine the animal - if no damage is visible, the cat may have had a nosebleed and the crust has formed dry. Gently wipe your pet's face with damp cotton wool - if the crusts come off easily and the skin underneath is not changed, the cat behaves calmly, breathing is not difficult, most likely, the danger has already passed, but it is better to show the animal to a veterinarian to exclude injuries to internal organs.

If a cat's nose is scratched, there is no need to separate the crust - once it dries, it will come off on its own. Do not let the cat tear off the crust while washing, and if it interferes with his breathing, soften it with warm water, chlorhexidine or Vaseline oil, remove and lubricate the exposed skin with a wound-healing preparation, preferably with antibacterial components in the composition.

Infectious diseases

Nasal discharge that hardens in the form of crusts can be a sign of a variety of diseases, including calicivirus, viral rhinotracheitis, and reovirus infection. Pay attention to the cat’s behavior - has he become lethargic, depressed, or has his appetite deteriorated?

A common cause of crusts on the nose is calicivirus infection (calicivirus). In this case, ulcers also appear in the oral cavity.

If a cat often rubs its face with its paws and snores in its sleep, this may indicate that the animal is sick. Other signs of infection include fever, drooling, and green or purulent discharge from the eyes.

Treatment for infectious diseases is prescribed by a doctor. The earlier a disease is detected, the sooner you need to contact a veterinarian - many diseases, especially of old and weakened animals, develop very quickly, leading to death in the absence of adequate treatment.

Skin and other diseases

The appearance of crusts on the nose often accompanies fungal and bacterial skin lesions. If you suspect a bacterial infection, you should show the cat to the doctor so that the veterinarian can examine it - make a scraping, conduct a diagnosis using an ultraviolet lamp. Other signs of skin diseases are cracks on the paw pads, ulcerations on the skin, and areas of split ends and hair falling out.

We should not forget that many skin infections of cats are also dangerous for humans, so try to exclude contacts of younger family members with a sick cat and follow the rules of hygiene.

Sometimes the appearance of crusts on the nose can be caused by allergies: it can be dried discharge from allergic rhinitis or skin irritation.

Cat hair loss is a fairly common problem. The cause of hair loss and the formation of bald patches may be the presence of a disease or disorder in the body. Let's talk about why a cat's hair falls out and list the main reasons.

Reasons why cats lose hair

Veterinarians identify several reasons that can affect hair loss, which becomes significant and worries the owner:

Seasonal molt. This process may not cause concern if the hair loss is severe, but the cat does not experience discomfort. His nose is moist, his skin is clear, normal color, and there is no discharge from his eyes. If your cat has lost hair on her neck, this could be a sign of shedding. This is a natural and normal seasonal process. In pets it can last for almost three months. This, of course, annoys the owners who have to remove scraps of fur. But new vegetation will grow to replace the old one, and we just need to help the process and promote its growth. This can be done by enriching the cat's nutritional diet with natural foods rich in minerals and vitamins.
Diet. Nutrition has a significant impact on all body functions, as well as on the condition of the skin and hair. An unbalanced diet can lead to a condition that causes cats to lose hair profusely, especially on the back, tail, and neck. The rest may become dull. The most unpleasant thing for a cat can be redness, peeling and itching of the places where it fell out. This most often occurs when feeding a pet sausage, sausages, and in general foods high in fat, spices and salt. We also note the fact that a large amount of whole milk in an animal’s diet can cause hair loss.
Hormonal disorders. Veterinarians note that owners of animals who are given drugs that suppress attraction to the opposite sex often complain that their hair is falling out a lot. In this case, wounds and ulcers may appear at the site of baldness. A change in the pet’s behavior was also noticed: lethargy, loss of appetite, as well as a change in body weight towards a decrease or significant increase.
Allergic reactions. Cats are prone to allergies, mainly food ones. Certain products can cause hair loss and a number of unpleasant symptoms: inflammation of the ears, redness of the skin in areas of bald patches and severe itching that bothers the animal; the cat is constantly itching.
Immune problems. A disease suffered by a pet and drug treatment can cause severe hair loss. But this is only a temporary phenomenon that will gradually pass when the body gets stronger.
Facial alopecia. This term describes hair loss in cats between the eyes and ears. The process is natural and does not relate to the disease. It can appear in a cat between the second and third years of life.

Skin diseases

The presence of diseases can also affect the condition of the cat's fur and its loss. Let's list the ones that often occur and cause severe loss.

Skin mites. A skin lesion that is very unpleasant for an animal, causing discomfort with severe itching, rashes, and inflammatory phenomena that appear in areas of the skin affected by mites. You can recognize the disease by the first symptoms, which appear in the form of dull fur and bald spots on the face, ears and front legs.
Fungal diseases(ringworm, mycosis). Having discovered the first signs of such lesions, you cannot take any measures on your own; immediately contact a veterinary clinic. We must remember that they are very dangerous for people. A sign of a fungal disease is that the hair falls out in round bald spots, which then form entire lesions. Inside them, scaly formations on the skin are noticeable. After diagnosis, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment, which must be strictly followed.
Flea dermatitis. Flea saliva can cause an allergic reaction in cats. In addition to extensive hair loss, it can lead to severe redness and itching of the skin. With this disease, most often cats may lose hair on their back.
Allergic dermatitis. Cats can react to irritants such as household chemicals, pollen, dust, etc. All these substances can cause quite severe allergies, which, in addition to hair loss, causes discomfort to the pet in the form of itching, redness of the skin, and the cat develops sores in areas where it is scratched.
Psychological reaction to external factors. The sensitivity of cats to external stimuli is not new. Any phenomenon that causes stress in an animal can make the cat not only timid and even aggressive, but also encourage him to pull out his fur with his teeth in those areas where he can reach. This includes the stomach, the back, and the paws. At the same time, bleeding wounds and ulcers appear on bald skin, which can become a gateway for various infections.
Seborrhea. This skin disease is characterized by particularly severe hair loss on any part of the body. The skin becomes inflamed, oily, and foul-smelling.

Only a competent veterinarian can determine the exact reason why a cat’s hair is falling out, because the same symptoms can be a manifestation of various diseases. To make a diagnosis, you will need to undergo a series of examinations and tests. Based on the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe treatment that will help restore the pet’s skin and coat.

Fighting baldness in cats

Cat owners, having noticed changes in the animal’s hair, begin to panic and look for an answer to the question of what to do if the cat’s hair falls out. Different causes of hair loss require different treatment approaches.

The longest and most difficult treatment is when hair falls out from skin mites and fungal diseases, which require the use of toxic drugs strictly according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor. At the same time, a thorough disinfection of the room will be required, including treatment of all carpeting and furniture, as well as disinfection or replacement of the cat’s bedding.

The result of an unbalanced diet, accompanied by signs of partial baldness, for example, when the hair on a cat's hind legs peels off, is treated mainly with diet. Pets on dry food should receive enriched with vitamin complexes, and those on a natural diet should receive low-fat foods with the addition of B vitamins. To relieve itching, antihistamines can be given in small doses no more than twice a day.