Skin Problems in Cats:

Just like humans and other pets, cats too can suffer from skin problems occasionally.



Though cats are considered quite meticulous in grooming themselves, not all skin problems and skin health issues are related to the grooming routine.
A cat skin problem is usually difficult to diagnose because the pet owners do not usually groom them. While in other pets, skin problems are usually seen while bathing or grooming the pet, in cats, it isn’t so.



It is for this reason that every time you take your cat to a veterinary doctor, the doctor examines it closely and upon finding any unusual signs in the body of the cat, the vet classifies the disease according to the appearance of the problem. If while playing with your cat or petting it, you find lumps, bumps or any kind of lesions, you should immediately take your cat to the vet. Here are some of the common cat skin disorders:

• Macule: These are smaller areas in skin where the color begins to change.
  
  
  
  Any kind of injury that causes inflammation in the cat’s skin can be the cause of formation of a macule.
• Papule: Another kind of lesion, papules are elevated patches of skin. If the inflammation is severe, the raised bump is known as a plaque. These raised cells are also known as neoplasm. These are usually benign skin conditions. However, in some cases, a papule may be cancerous and may spread very quickly to other areas of the body.
• Vesicle: Vesicles are small or medium shaped lumps which are filled with an unusual fluid. These may be caused due to retention of fluids in the body, but when it occurs in small patches, it is best to take the cat to a veterinarian.
• Wheal: This is a raised patch on the skin, usually caused due to a recent injury. Mostly wheals occur suddenly after an injury and disappear as suddenly as they appeared. Sometimes, this area of the skin has an increased redness due to the injury. Wheals may be formed due to allergies from certain foods, mosquito bites or dermatitis. Wheals are characterized by intense itching.
• Nodule: These are elevated bumps which are larger and more intense than the wheals. These are caused due to abnormalities in cell growth. Certain bacterial and fungal growths may also cause this condition.
• Tumors: A large mass of abnormally grown tissues is known as a tumor. These can be benign or malignant and may also be caused due to inflammation.