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Keratinization Disorders of the Skin |
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Scales are white flakes made of old skin cells, and are
commonly seen in many skin conditions. Some of the more common
conditions that may be associated with dandruff-like scales are:
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Clinical signs include scaling, crusting, greasy hair
coat, and hair loss. Pruritis (itching) can lead to inflammation from
self-trauma and secondary bacterial infections. Because dandruff does
not have one single cause, it does not have one simple treatment. Some
cats are even born with a defect in their keratinization process, but
this is a rare condition. Most of the time keratinization defects
occur secondary to one of the underlying conditions listed above.
Treating the disorder requires the diagnosis of the underlying
condition. To get this diagnosis, several tests may be needed
including skin scrapings, fungal culture, blood tests, and possibly a
skin biopsy.
In addition to specific therapy for the primary condition, all cats
should be treated for fleas and one or more aspects of symptomatic
treatment should be instituted.
Symptomatic
therapy: |
- Daily
brushing to remove excessive flakes. Use a soft brush, a comb with
blunt teeth or even a soft cloth to remove the excessive flakes.
- Cats should be bathed every two to four weeks
with an anti-seborrheic shampoo formulated for cats. (Aloe and
oatmeal works well.) For maximum benefit the shampoo should be in
contact with the cat’s skin (not just fur) for 5-15 minutes, the cat
should be rinsed thoroughly, and towel dried.
- Feed some
canned cat food. It tends to have a higher percentage of protein and
fat necessary for a healthy coat.
- Supplement
the diet with essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6 fatty
acids). These should be applied to the food for 4-6 weeks to
determine beneficial response.
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Scales are a common dermatological complaint in feline
practice. By identifying the cause and treating symptomatically and
specifically, most cats will regain their shiny coats.
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