Author:
Carl Weaver
Date Of Creation:
22 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Bacterial skin infections in cats, known as pyoderma, can be caused by internal or environmental factors. The most common cause of bacterial skin infection is staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms can be diagnosed at home by examining the skin for wounds, pustules, and ulcers. The doctor will be able to confirm or deny your diagnosis by performing a physical examination, as well as making a culture and taking blood for analysis. Treatment will depend on the severity of the infection. For mild infections, your doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics and medicated shampoos. For severe infections, your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Symptoms of a Bacterial Skin Infection
1 Examine your cat's skin. A bacterial skin infection can occur anywhere on a cat's body, including the face and nose. Carefully check the entire body of the animal by running your hands over its fur. Check the skin for itchy red lesions, pustules (pimples), baldness, open sores that leak fluid, and epidermal collars (a skin lesion that is round with a round rim of scales or flaky skin). - A bacterial infection can also develop in the folds of the skin. If the cat has wrinkles, be sure to check them too.
- Bites and scratches from other animals can also lead to skin infections and abscesses. Monitor their condition carefully.
2 Pay attention to when the cat itches. Try to determine if your cat started itching before or after the infection. If the cat begins to itch before the infection, then the cause of the disease is most likely in the environment. If the cat begins to scratch the affected area of the skin after the onset of the infection, then the cause of the infection lies in internal factors. 
3 Check if your cat has a fever. Cats with pyoderma (a severe skin infection) may have open sores that leak pus and have a fever. Symptoms of fever in cats are loss of appetite and depression, lethargy, calmness, and withdrawn behavior. A cat with a fever may or may not be warm to the touch. - Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, and weakness.
4 Check with your veterinarian. Since a bacterial infection can be difficult to distinguish from a fungal infection, take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice that it is unwell. The veterinarian will be able to establish whether the infection is caused by internal factors or the external environment. The doctor will not be able to prescribe the necessary medications until the cat has been examined. The survey may include: - Histological (microscopic) examination of pustules and / or pus.
- Determination of antibiotic susceptibility and culture tank to determine the bacteria leading to infection. The veterinarian may also do skin scrapings or fungal cultures to rule out fungal infections and microscopic parasites.
- Food testing and allergy testing to rule out food allergies as a cause of illness.
- Checking skin and hair for fleas and lice with a flea comb.
- A blood test to determine the internal causes of the disease.
Method 2 of 2: Treating the cat
1 Trim the hair around the affected area. This is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the affected area and to treat it. Take a pair of scissors and trim the hair around the wound to a height of 1 cm. Remember to wash your scissors with soap and water before and after use. - Many veterinarians will happily trim their hair before the visit.
2 Give topical antibiotics. First, wrap your cat in a towel. Sit on the floor and place the cat between your knees. Place one hand gently but firmly on the animal's head. The thumb should be on one side of the jaw and the rest of the fingers on the other side. Give the medication slowly in small intervals so that the cat can swallow everything. - Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, or a combination of both.
- Be sure to complete the entire course of treatment until the end, unless the doctor instructs you otherwise.
- Veterinarians usually prescribe oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin / clavulanic acid (Amoxislav), cefoxitin, clindamycin, and cephalexin.
3 Wash your cat with medicated shampoos. Dilute the medicated shampoo in water, in a ratio of 1: 5. Then take your cat, place it in a tub or basin, and gently wet it with a cup or hose. Be careful not to get water in his eyes, ears, or nose. Gently massage the shampoo into the animal's fur, applying it in the direction of the fur's growth, and then rinse the cat thoroughly. - Medicated shampoos such as ApiSan or Elite and benzoyl peroxide shampoos are excellent for treating and washing affected skin in cats with mild infections.
- These products will also help prevent future bacterial skin infections.
4 Think about what might be causing the infection. Bacterial skin infections may have come from the environment, such as allergens, chemical toxins, fleas, parasites, and ticks. They can also be caused by internal health problems such as food intolerances or allergies, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, hormonal imbalances, cancer, and glandular diseases. If the problem persists or comes back again, try to identify possible causes in the environment or diet of the cat. If the animal develops additional symptoms, consult your veterinarian about the possibility of another medical condition. - Allergies to pollen, mold, pine needles, or other substances have a profound effect on skin health. Try to remove them from your pet's environment and see if his condition improves.
5 Monitor your cat's recovery. Seek help from your veterinarian if symptoms worsen, any new symptoms develop, or if your cat does not get better within a week. Call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms and recovery process. The vet will most likely ask you to come back for another appointment. - He can conduct additional examination, take a culture of microorganisms and conduct a blood test.
