Cat Miliary Dermatitis: Causes, Symptoms & Home Remedies

Cats are undoubtedly among the best pets you can have. They may be neat and well groomed. However, there are some skin conditions that might affect them.

One of the most common diseases affecting cats is miliary dermatitis.

What is miliary dermatitis in cats?

Miliary dermatitis is a group of different lesions distributed across the skin of a cat and whose pattern is not easily discernable.

Flea allergy is the most common skin allergy affecting cats and hence it is usually used synonymously with miliary dermatitis – though it doesn’t literally sum up the complete meaning of miliary dermatitis.

Here’s what it may look like:

Causes

The causes of miliary dermatitis are diverse. However, hypersensitivity to flea bites, certain allergies and ringworms are the major causes.

Hypersensitivity to flea bites

The situation can be dire. Just one flea is capable of causing miliary dermatitis in a cat that is sensitive to flea bites.

Fleas are very tiny creatures. Even if you don’t see any flea beneath the hairy coat of your cat, it is possible that the cat is infested by fleas.

It is estimated that about 80% of cats suffering from miliary dermatitis are hypersensitive to flea bites.

Allergies

Several substances can make your cat experience allergies. The most common causes of allergy are:  certain foods, pollen, dust particles and insect bites.

Contact from synthetic products such as carpets can also lead to this skin condition.  However, contact allergies are very rare in cats.

These substances cause hypersensitive reactions, potentially leading to miliary dermatitis in sensitive cats.

Ringworm

This is the most common fungal infection affecting cats. It is mostly prevalent in kittens and young cats.

Some studies also suggest that Persian cats are susceptible to ringworm infection.

After infection, ringworms cause multiple circular lesions on the skin of cats. These manifestations eventually lead to miliary dermatitis.

Other causes include:4

Feline hypereosinophilic syndrome

This is a condition in cats whose origin is not well understood. It results in excess production of certain cells called eosinophils that are found in blood.

Elevated eosinophils in cats can lead to a skin condition called eosinophil papulocrustous dermatitis which is linked to miliary dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis

This is an inflammation of the skin usually characterized by severe itching, redness, loss of hair and scaling of the skin.

The most common cause of atopic dermatitis is allergies and it can potentially lead to miliary dermatitis.

Ectopic parasites

Some parasites coexist naturally in the skin of cats without causing harm. However, others can be harmful especially if the conditions are favorable for their growth and multiplication.

These parasites can invade the skin and cause miliary dermatitis. Some of the common parasites causing this condition include Otodectes and Cheyletiella.

Drug induced reactions

Some drugs are allergens. An allergen is a substance that is capable of inducing an immune reaction.

These drugs do not cause reactions in all cats but are harmful to sensitive cats. The immune reactions can be so severe leading to the development of lesions on the skin, hence causing miliary dermatitis.

Immune mediated diseases

The most common immune mediated disease capable of causing miliary dermatitis is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

This condition manifests when the immune system attacks the tissues of the body.

Bacterial infections

Some bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus may affect the skin of the cat causing lesions that could lead to miliary dermatitis.

Symptoms of miliary dermatitis in felines

Veterinary officers are the only qualified individual who can make a diagnosis of a disease in cats based on the presenting symptoms.

Nevertheless, knowing some of the common signs of cat diseases may help you seek prompt treatment for your pet before a condition worsens.

Here are some of the symptoms you should look for to suspect miliary dermatitis:

• Lesions and scabs in the affected area.
• The affected skin may appear red due to constant scratching.
• The coat of your cat may start thinning out in certain areas.
• The skin may contain red bumps and itchy papules commonly found around the neck, head, ears, and back.
• Excoriations, also known as skin picking, may also be evident as the cat self-induces trauma in his or her skin due to severe scratching.
• The hair may thin in the affected areas and possibly fall off leaving several patches of bare skin.

Is miliary dermatitis contagious?

The answer to this question entirely depends on the cause of the disease. Feline miliary dermatitis caused by allergies is not contagious.

However, when it is caused by organisms such as ringworms and bacteria, the organisms can infect humans as well.

It is therefore necessary to report to the veterinary officer immediately you spot any of the aforementioned symptoms in your cat.

The professional can then find out the underlying cause of the disease and start the appropriate treatment plan to avoid any human infections.

An infection in humans is mostly transmitted by flies.

Diagnosis

The veterinary officer is the most qualified individual to perform any diagnosis for your cat. He or she will take the medical history of your cat. Your vet will inquire about any previous disease conditions, any underlying disease, any medications administered to your cat or the type of food you give your cat.

The vet will then physically examine the pet to locate the symptoms. The location is important in determining the cause of the disease.

Fleas commonly infest the region around the neck and the base of the tail. Symptoms around the head and eyes majorly predict that food allergy or mites may have caused the disease.

A qualified dermatologist may order for laboratory tests on skin scrapings and fluids from skin lesions when the cause of the disease is not easily discernible.

Treatment options

Treatment of feline miliary dermatitis depends mostly on the cause of the disease. The most common treatment methods employed today are as follows:

Antibiotics to manage skin infections

Feline miliary dermatitis could be secondary to a bacterial infection on the skin. Antibiotics may be helpful in managing bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Administering anti-fungal drugs

Dermatophytosis caused by ringworm is managed by anti-fungal drugs. These drugs prevent the growth or completely eliminate the fungi thereby sustaining the health of an infected cat.

Using anti-parasitic agents

Antiparasitic agents are often administered to improve the health of your cat of he or she has been infected with the parasites.

Using antihistamines and corticosteroid drugs

Antihistamines and corticosteroid are very potent in managing inflammation of the skin.

They help reduce pain and itching thereby restoring comfort to your cat.

Treatment of feline miliary dermatitis depends mostly on the cause of the disease. The most common treatment methods employed today are as follows:

Antibiotics to manage skin infections

Feline miliary dermatitis could be secondary to a bacterial infection on the skin. Antibiotics may be helpful in managing bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Administering anti-fungal drugs

Dermatophytosis caused by ringworm is managed by anti-fungal drugs. These drugs prevent the growth or completely eliminate the fungi thereby sustaining the health of an infected cat.

Using anti-parasitic agents

Antiparasitic agents are often administered to improve the health of your cat of he or she has been infected with the parasites.

Using antihistamines and corticosteroid drugs

Antihistamines and corticosteroid are very potent in managing inflammation of the skin.

They help reduce pain and itching thereby restoring comfort to your cat.

Home remedies

Avoid food that causes allergies in your cat

It is often not easy to determine the type of food causing allergies unless you try giving it first to your cat.

When you notice that certain foods or supplements elicit hypersensitive reactions, it is expedient to stop using them immediately.

Control of fleas

Fleas are by far the most common cause of feline miliary dermatitis. Even if the condition may not have been caused by fleas, our veterinary officer will prescribe medications that will help you to control fleas.

Controlling fleas also encompasses keeping your cat’s environment tidy.

Use hypoallergenic diets for cats with food allergies

A hypoallergenic diet is one with little to no allergens. This kind of diet is not reactive with the immune system and cannot cause hypersensitivity reactions in the skin of your cat.

Even though your cat may not react to allergenic diet, it is important not to administer these foods frequently because they can precipitate allergic reactions in the presence of other substances such as drugs.

Use a good cat shampoo

Shampoos are best used for cleaning the coat of your cat following an infection.

Shampoos help remove debris from the wounds and act as antiseptics to prevent the growth of microorganisms that cause diseases.

You may have to inquire from your vet about the best cat shampoo to use based on the underlying cause of miliary dermatitis in your cat.

Best cat shampoos for miliary dermatitis

Cats are naturally capable of making themselves clean. Their tongue and teeth enable them to meticulously manage the rigors of feline hair care.

However, when they are sick, they need your help to meet their grooming needs.

You should not use human shampoos for cats because they dry the hair and skin of your cat. Instead, use a shampoo specifically designed for cats.

Here are some of the best cat shampoos for miliary dermatitis:

• Aloe and oatmeal shampoo – this shampoo is soothing and gentle. It can be used frequently when grooming your cat.
• Sebazol shampoo – Used to manage skin infection caused by bacteria, fungi or yeasts.
• Malaseb antifungal pet shampoo – Malaseb is the best choice for skin infection by ringworms. It also helps to clear dandruff.

Some of these shampoos may be expensive but they are very effective and well scented. Always avoid shampoos that contain sodium laurel sulfate, petrochemicals, parabens or any artificial dyes. These additives are present in human shampoo.

Miliary dermatitis in cats is a curable condition. Although it is recurrent in some cats, prompt treatment, better grooming techniques and a good diet will help keep your cat healthy.

Seek expert help whenever you suspect that your cat could be suffering from miliary dermatitis.

 

References

1. Gross TL, Kwochka KW, Kunkle GA. Correlation of histologic and immunologic findings in cats with miliary dermatitis, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1986.

2. Prost C. Diagnosis of feline allergic skin diseases: A study of 90 cats. In Kwochka, KW; Willemse, A; Von Tscharner. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology III. Boston: Butterworth Heinemann, 1998.