Feline skin disease

Question 1

What mite causes pinnal crusting in cats?

Answer 1

Cheyletiella blakei

Question 2

What is the chewing lice species specific to cats?

Answer 2

Felicola subrostratus

Question 3

What burrowing mite is associated with feline scabies and has not been in the UK since 1960s? It is highly pruritic, mainly affecting the ears, face and neck. It is contagious to dogs, foxes and rabbits and may be zoonotic

Answer 3

Notoedres cati

Question 4

Demodex cati may cause localised disease or generalised (due to immunosuppression). What is the treatment for demodex?

Answer 4

Isoxazoline or lime sulphur dips

Question 5

Demodex gatoi is more common than D. cati. Is the condition responsive to steroids?

Answer 5

No

Treat with isoxazoline or lime sulphur dip

Question 6

Cat bite abscesses cause pyogranulomatous inflammation. What diseases/causes may you consider if the abscess is non-healing?

Answer 6

FIV/FeLV
Fungal or atypical bacteria infection
Foreign body
Immune-mediated disease

Question 7

Malassezia is an overgrowth rather than an infection, often secondary to a primary disease. What type of dermatitis does it cause and what cat species are predisposed?

Answer 7

Seborrheic dermatitis

Sphynx cat, Devon Rex

Question 8

How is Dermatophytosis (Microsporum canis) diagnosed?

Answer 8

Fungal culture - for definitive Dx

Woods lamp and Trichogram variable sensitivity

Question 9

What is the topical and systemic treatment for Dermatophytosis (Microsporum canis)?

Answer 9

Topical miconazole, lime sulphur
Systemic itraconazole
(+ treat environment with bleach and Virkon)

Question 10

Deep fungal infections are rare but may cause a dermatophytic granuloma or subcutaneous mycosis. How are these treated?

Answer 10

Long course of high dose, systemic anti-fungals (but side effects - hepatotoxic)
Surgical excision/digit amputation

Question 11

Feline poxvirus is zoonotic, causing rapidly enlarge ulcerative lesions on the face and feet. What causes feline poxvirus?

Answer 11

Vole bite wounds

Seasonal disease, wildlife reservoir

Question 12

Paraneoplasitc alopecia causes shiny skin +/- Malassezia on the ventrum. How is this diagnosed and what is the prognosis?

Answer 12

Dx: skin biopsy

Prognosis poor

Question 13

What breed is affected by idiopathic facial dermatitis and how is this treated?

Answer 13

Persian - keratinisation disorder

Tx: anti-yeast therapy, keratolytic shampoos, ciclosporin

Question 14

Feline acne is a keratinisation disorder that causes dark, waxy scales and secondary infections. How is this treated?

Answer 14

Topical antiseptics
Systemic antimicrobials
Anti-keratinolytics

Question 15

Feline plasma cell pododermatitis is thought to be immune mediated. It may be associated with what virus or condition?

Answer 15

FIV

Glomerulopathy

Question 16

What is the treatment for feline plasma cell pododermatitis?

Answer 16

Spontaneous regression
Surgery
Immune modulation (thought to be immune mediated)

Question 17

What are feline cutaneous reaction patterns usually associated with?

Answer 17

Allergic skin disease

Hypersensitivity dermatitis

Question 18

Feline cutaneous reactions patterns are usually associated with hypersensitivity dermatitis. What are the 4 patterns?

Answer 18

Self-induced, symmetrical alopecia (due to pruritis)
Head and neck excoriations and pruritis
Milliary dermatitis (papular crusts on dorsum, thighs and abdo)
Eosinophilic granuloma complex

Question 19

What criteria are used to diagnose non-flea hypersensitivity dermatitis?

Answer 19

Favrot’s criteria

Question 20

What age cats are usually affected by hypersensitivity dermatitis? What treatment are they usually responsive to?

Answer 20

6 months to 3 years

Steroid responsive

Question 21

How is flea-bite hypersensitivity diagnosed?

Answer 21

Flea treatment trial for 6-8 weeks

Question 22

How is a food-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis diagnosed?

Answer 22

Diet trial 8-12 weeks

Question 23

What are the 4 components of managing a cat with non-flea, non-food induced hypersensitivity dermatitis?

Answer 23

Skin barrier - EFAs, topical lipids ad moisturising shampoos
Anti-inflammatories/immunomodulators
Allergen avoidance and immunotherapy
Control of flare factors - regular flea treatment, control 2o infections and anxiety