Feline Shedding Symptoms

Cats suffering from flea allergy dermatitis will scratch their rumps excessively, resulting in oozing lesions (lick granuloma) on the rump, tail, hind legs and belly areas and skin hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) to develop on the hips or face. Since allergic cats groom themselves to excess, hair in the affected areas falls out. Allergic reactions to insect bites range from mild to severe. Excessive scratching develops in moderate allergic reactions, called urticaria, an extremely itchy vascular reaction characterized by hives, rapid swelling and redness of the lips and around the eyes and neck region. The hives and swelling are triggered by antibodies that the immune system develops against the insect venom; inflammatory cells release substances that create the reaction. Thus begins the pattern of excessive itching and grooming and feline shedding.

Atophy symptoms such as excessive grooming and itching and feline shedding appear in young cats, usually by one year of age. The symptoms may start out as seasonal and occur generally during the summer months when airborne allergens proliferate. Symptoms begin to appear year-round as the cat ages and develops sensitivities to more substances. The symptoms of food allergies, including licking and itching, that lead to feline shedding are similar to those of atophy, with the exception of food-specific symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Feline itching tends to mainly affect (but is not limited to) the front and rear paws. Cats may also chew at their paws and shake their heads excessively. The skin becomes red and irritated, and the ears inflamed, from intense feline itching. Feline shedding follows.

Cats rarely suffer from contact allergies because the majority of their skin is covered with fur; however, allergic reactions may erupt in exposed areas. It does not matter whether an incidence of contact dermatitis occurs from an allergic reaction or exposure to a skin irritant. Cat owners should watch for itching, crusting, blisters, ulcerations and thickening of the skin and feline shedding.

Excessive itching is the main symptom of scabies (notoedric mange). Other symptoms include patchy feline shedding and crusty sores and small red lesions on the surface of the skin. The itching does not respond to symptomatic treatment and the cat scratches and chews itself excessively. Only a few mites are necessary to set off an itching reaction and the itching and hair loss may persist after treatment for the mite infestation has concluded.

Feline shedding, crusty sores and itching are characteristic of demodectic and notoedric mange. Cheyletiellosis symptoms also include skin redness and a flaky, scaly coat that resembles dandruff, thus the condition’s “walking dandruff” nickname.

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