Let us know! Pyoderma, or a bacterial infection of the skin, is a very common secondary condition in cats. Although commonly beneficial, our immune system makes sure to keep the harmful bacteria harmless too. In case of skin infections, topical medications are prescribed as they help reduce inflammation, skin redness and runny eyes and nose. If you suspect your cat has an infection, take it to the vet to confirm the diagnosis. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to monitor your cat’s recovery from its skin infection, keep reading! The Staph bacteria usually live harmlessly on the skin, but infection occurs if a pet scratches its skin too much. Y. pestis is also a Gram-negative bacterium and it causes the disease called plague. S. canis is considered to be an important part of the healthy microbiota of cats and dogs, promoting skin and mucosal health. The disease caused by this bacterium is called feline infectious anemia. For more about viruses please refer to our recent discussion about Some of the Most Common Viruses Afflicting Cats. Otherwise, the infection may return even worse than before. Pyoderma literally means pus on the skin. In order to treat your cat’s infection, you’ll need to clip the hair around the affected area to keep it clean, give it oral antibiotics, and use medicated shampoos. Treating Bacterial Infections in Pets by Diamonback drugs. Every pet and every infection is different. I have a kitten about 2 or 3 months old and there are black spots on his tail and paws and on his body and a white pimple type skin, what is it? Bacterial Folliculitis. 8 (3). I can't afford a vet how can I treat it? For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to monitor your cat’s recovery from its skin infection, keep reading! Bacterial pyoderma is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that normally or temporarily live on the skin. It lowers the activity in that section. M. haemofelis is a gram negative bacterium typically spread by fleas and ticks. The use of a flea comb to examine the skin and hair for lice and fleas. Bacterial Infection in Cats by Wag! 2. Skin infections in cats are caused by many different types of bacteria and yeast. However, any disease that causes itching and self-trauma can trigger a pyoderma. Pyoderma can be caused by underlying allergies to food, fleas or other things in the environment, and/or immune-medicated diseases. Cats can get skin infections as primary conditions, but more often, they are secondary to some other disease process. Medicated shampoos, like Clinical Care, and shampoos that contain benzoyl peroxide are a great way to treat and clean infected areas on cats that have mild infections. The symptoms seen will vary, depending on the underlying cause of the skin infection. Examine your cat’s skin. Shorthaired cats are more prone to developing skin infections, however, there is no age or sex predilection. Following is a table created by RRDA with an overview of the common bacterial infections in cats: Bacterial pathogens causing disease in cats most commonly belong to the following genuses: Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Escherichia, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Toxoplasmosis, Chlamydophila, Pyodermas, Actinomyces, Spirochete, Fusobacterium, Bartonella and others. Staphylococcus pseudointermedius is the most common of bacteria to cause pyoderma in cats, other bacteria include Pasteurella multocida. This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Many of these bacteria are also beneficial, particularly in the digestive system. Bacterial Infections. The common symptoms include … If your cat has skin folds, make sure to look under the skin folds for lesions, pustules, and sores. What should I do if all my kittens have an infection? This article has been viewed 24,576 times. Cat Skin Problems. Skin Problems in Cats.If your cat's dignified poses have given way to constant scratching and licking, a skin problem may be to blame. Severe conditions may require 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. Pasturella multocida Cats have a higher risk of developing an infection when they have a fungal infection or an endocrine disease such as hyperthyroidism, or have allergies to fleas, food ingredients, or parasites such as Demodex. An infection can affect any part of the body and in some cases, several. Upper Respiratory Infections A cat’s upper respiratory tract—the nose, throat and sinus area—is susceptible to infections caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. A bacterial infection is an invasion of an organism by disease-causing bacteria (a pathogenic bacterium or pathogen). In these cases, taking precautions to prevent general infections is recommended. Treatment of bacterial infections typically involves the antibiotics. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection. The severity of the infection, as well as the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are all infection specific. Just like us, our pets are constantly exposed to bacteria. Allergies to pollen, mold, pine needles or other substances are huge contributors to skin conditions. In cats, the most common skin infections are bacterial (superficial pyoderma) and yeast (Malassezia dermatitis) infections. "About inflammation and infection" (PDF). The pathogen enters the body, obtains nutrients from it, reproduces and causes harm. EJNMMI Research. Short coats 2. The symptoms of bacterial infections are always infection specific. Salmonellosis. As far as prevention goes, keeping your cat free of fleas and ticks is the best bet. While many bacteria are beneficial or simply harmless to most organisms, some are pathogenic and can cause disease in certain hosts. Certain infections may spread to humans if correct hygiene is not used. Peak blood levels are seen within 2.0 hours in cats and 6.2 hours in dogs. © 2020. % of people told us that this article helped them. Yes, it is bad for the immune system. Bites and scratches from other animals can also cause skin infections and abscesses. Research source B. henselae is a species of Gram-negative bacteria which is responsible for the notorious cat scratching disease that can be transmitted to humans. Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that may affect the respiratory tract (especially … Here are some common symptoms of bacterial infection in cats. It is not common in cats. Skin discharge and/or odor can indicate that your cat may be suffering from a skin infection. Antibiotic sensitivity and culture tests to pinpoint the bacteria causing the infection. Skin folds can develop bacterial skin infections as well. It can have symptoms such as swelling and inflammation. Additionally, the vet may advise fever and pain medications too. Due to the nature of a cat’s teeth, which are sharp, bacteria are injected under the skin, causing bacteria to form an abscess. The most common bacteria causing pyoderma is Stapylococcus pseudointermedius. Because of the severity of the disease they cause, three of the most famous species of bacteria pathogenic to cats are Mycoplasma haemofelis, Yersinia pestis and Bartonella henselae. Alberto Signore (2013). Ear Mites: If your cat is tilting and shaking her head, scratching at her ears, and has excessive brown … Skin folds 3. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 1  Cats more than dogs spread ringworm. When admitted to the vet’s office, the cat will be physically examined and its medical history and symptoms diary will be reviewed by the veterinarians. Cats bring an irreplaceable amount of love and companionship into our lives. They must be treated. Try to remove these from the environment to see if your cat's condition improves. This means that the symptoms your cat shows highly depend on the type of the bacterium causing the harm, the organs affected, the severity and stage of the infection and the overall feline health status. If a cat with ringworm is not properly treated, the lesions can spread over large areas of the animal’s body, causing hair loss and skin infections. Many vet offices are happy to clip the cat's hair prior to a visit. Pyoderma can affect the superficial or deeper layers of the skin. {"id":"", "email":"","default_address":null,"first_name":"","last_name":"","name":"" }. However, despite these benefits under certain circumstances, strains of this bacterium have been reported to cause diseases in a … A bacterium (plural: bacteria) is a prokaryotic, single-celled organism belonging to the domain bacteria. I recently adopted a cat with a bad infected wound on its tail I want to get it help but can't afford it how can I treat it at home would iodine help? You can consult your veterinarian concerning your cat's particular infection. Symptoms of Bacterial Infection in Cats The symptoms and signs of bacterial infections in cats are always infection specific. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, and weakness. If your cat's dignified poses have given way to constant scratching and licking, a … There are specific flea and tick treatments at pet stores that aren't that expensive and they might help. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Diagnose-and-Treat-Bacterial-Skin-Infections-in-Cats-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Diagnose-and-Treat-Bacterial-Skin-Infections-in-Cats-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Diagnose-and-Treat-Bacterial-Skin-Infections-in-Cats-Step-1.jpg\/aid8555153-v4-728px-Diagnose-and-Treat-Bacterial-Skin-Infections-in-Cats-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"