Pruritic Skin Disease in a Cat

Without proper treatment, itching from pruritic skin diseases can drive a cat to harm itself from continuous scratching or over-grooming.

  1. Pruritis

    • Pruritis occurs when nerves in the skin react to irritants, signaling the brain as an itching sensation in the area, according to PetPlace.com. The itching itself may not harm a cat, but the cat̵7;s subsequent scratching or biting at the area may cause skin infection or injury.

    The ̶0;Itch Threshold̶1;

    • Mild skin irritation may not cause a cat to react by scratching, but every cat has an individual ̶0;itch threshold̶1; where the urge to scratch becomes irresistible.

    Causes

    • Allergens or parasites commonly cause pruritis. Pruritic skin conditions can also stem from bacterial and yeast infections.

    Symptoms

    • In addition to constant scratching or biting at the skin, a cat may indulge in obsessive grooming or foot licking that can lead to hair loss, pain and skin lesions.

    Treatment

    • If a secondary illness has caused a cat̵7;s pruritis, a veterinarian will treat the underlying condition to resolve the problem. In the meantime, relief from the itching can come from antihistamines, corticosteroids, nutritional supplements and non-irritating shampoos.