Bacterial dermatological infections in cats, the most common being staphylococcal infections, are also known as pyoderma and can be caused by environmental or internal factors. You can diagnose this disorder at home by looking at the animal's symptoms and checking its skin for lesions, pustules, and sores. Your vet can confirm or invalidate your diagnosis through a physical exam, bacterial culture, and blood tests. Treatments vary according to the severity of the infection; if it is moderate, the doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics and medicated shampoos. If it is more severe, you may need antibiotics to be taken by mouth, as well as products to apply to the skin.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Look for Symptoms
Step 1. Examine the cat's skin
Bacterial infection could affect any part of the body, including the muzzle and nose; perform a thorough check on his entire body by running your hands along the fur, as if you wanted to caress him. Feel and observe if the skin appears itchy, if the cat loses patches of fur, if there are red lesions, pustules (pimples), open draining sores or epidermal collars, which consist of circular lesions with a ring along the entire circumference containing scales or cracked edges.
- Skin folds can also lead to a bacterial infection; if your four-legged friend has various folds on the body, you need to check for lesions, ulcers or pustules.
- Bites and scratches from other animals can also be responsible for skin infections and abscesses; therefore pay close attention.
Step 2. Check if the cat is itchy
Determine if they started scratching before or after the infection developed. If it started earlier, the cause could be environmental; otherwise, if it started later, the factors responsible are more likely to be internal.
Step 3. Pay attention to the fever
Cats with very deep pyoderma (a severe skin infection) may have purulent open sores and fever. Symptoms of fever in this animal are loss of appetite, depressed attitude, lethargy, calm and shy behavior; however, it is not possible to tell by touch if you have a fever, as your body is not always hot.
Other symptoms you may notice are vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, and weakness
Step 4. Consult your veterinarian
Since it is difficult to distinguish a bacterial infection from a fungal one, once you have found the problem you have to take the cat to the vet, who will be able to establish through a test whether the disease is of environmental or internal origin; however, he will not be able to prescribe drugs until he has a thorough check. Among the possible tests that your cat may undergo consider:
- A microscopic check of the pustules and / or secretions.
- Tests for sensitivity to antibiotics and cultures to identify the specific bacterium responsible for the infection; among these are skin scraping and fungal cultures to rule out fungal infections and microscopic parasites.
- Food tests and allergy tests to exclude food intolerances among the possible causes.
- Using a flea comb to examine skin and fur for lice and fleas.
- Blood samples to identify possible internal causes.
Method 2 of 2: Cure the Cat
Step 1. Trim the fur around the infected area
This is a necessary step if you want to keep the affected area clean and try to cure it. Use grooming scissors to trim the fur about 1.5 to 2 cm around the infected sore. Make sure you clean the scissors with soap and water before and after using them.
The staff of many veterinary clinics will certainly be willing to trim the cat's coat before the visit
Step 2. Administer oral antibiotics
First, wrap the animal in a cloth; when he is sitting comfortably on the floor, make him lie down between your knees and, firmly but firmly, place a hand over his head. Your thumb should be on one side of his jaw and your other fingers on the other side; at this point, place a syringe in the corner of his mouth, behind the canines, and slowly administer the drug, making short intervals so that the animal has time to ingest it.
- Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics, for oral use, or both.
- It is essential to complete all drug therapy (unless the vet gives different instructions).
- Some very common oral antibiotics are: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin), cefovecin (Convenia), clindamycin (Dalacin) and cephalexin (Ceporex).
Step 3. Use a medicated shampoo
Mix 1 part of this product with 5 parts of water, then place the cat in the tub or in a basin and gently wet it with hot water using a bowl or hose; be careful that the water does not get into his eyes, ears or nose. Carefully massage the shampoo all over its fur following the direction of hair growth; when finished, rinse it thoroughly using a bowl.
- Veterinarian-recommended medicated shampoos or benzoyl peroxide-based shampoos are a perfect way to treat and cleanse your cat's infected skin when the ailment is moderate.
- These products also help prevent future bacterial skin infections.
Step 4. Investigate possible causes
Bacterial dermatological infections can be caused by environmental factors, for example allergens, chemicals, fleas, parasites and mites; however, they can also arise from internal reasons, such as food intolerances or allergies, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome), hormonal imbalances, cancer and glandular disorders. If the problem continues or recurs on time, you should try to identify possible environmental or dietary factors. If other symptoms occur, you should see your vet to see if there may be any underlying disease triggering the infection.
Allergies to pollen, mold, pine needles or other substances are factors that contribute enormously to skin disorders; try to eliminate them from the surrounding environment to see if the cat's condition improves
Step 5. Monitor the cat's recovery
If your symptoms get worse, others develop, or you don't see any improvement within a week, you should contact your vet. Call him and describe the symptoms, as well as the whole healing process; Your doctor will likely ask you to come to his or her clinic for an additional check-up.
