Why does a cat itch until it hurts - 5 reasons for the unpleasant symptom

If a cat itches until it hurts, this may be a symptom of an allergic reaction, the presence of helminths, lichen, skin parasites, or a disease of the endocrine system. Associated symptoms include itchy skin, hair loss and red spots on the skin. If any deviations in health occur, the owner should take the pet to the veterinarian. The doctor will diagnose, prescribe therapy and give preventive recommendations.

According to veterinarian statistics, food allergies in cats account for 1% of cases of skin lesions.

Diagnosis of the condition

An unpleasant sensation that causes a strong desire to scratch is itching. This condition in an animal is an obvious sign of skin damage. In veterinary medicine, there are 2 types of disorders:

1. Localized type, when one or several places on the pet’s body begin to itch. Sometimes scratches appear only on the face, as well as on the neck and cheeks.
2. Generalized type, which involves the appearance of sores on the entire body of the animal.

If you notice that your cat is itching a lot and drops of blood appear in the scratching areas, you need to contact a specialist at a veterinary clinic. To begin with, the pet is examined for the presence of blood-sucking parasites, which can cause severe stress in both couch potatoes and walking individuals. Scratch marks from bites are most often found on the chin, cheeks, neck, and tail. If fleas or ticks are not detected, then we are talking about other, more serious reasons.

After questioning the owner, the doctor will scrape the damaged area on the pet’s skin. Examination of the sample in the laboratory helps to identify the causative agent of the disease. Additional tests may also be ordered.

Once the exact disease is determined, the veterinarian prescribes treatment and gives additional recommendations on nutrition and care for the recovering patient.

Unfortunately, owners go to the veterinary clinic too late: when they discover severe wounds, bleeding scratches or bald patches on the pet’s body. This is the next stage of the pathology, which causes severe discomfort and can lead to severe infection. The duty of a good owner is to notice and respond to the problem in a timely manner.

Ticks

Not only fleas, but also dozens of types of ticks interfere with a cat’s life. The most common are Otodectis, which causes otodectosis in the ears, Cheyletella, which affects the skin, and Notoedrus.

• Otodectosis is a disease specific to the ears: the cat purposefully scratches its ears, it is uncomfortable to touch the affected area, and it presses its ears to its head. In the auricle there is “dirt” and many dark grains, serous discharge. Otodectosis is treated with drops in the ears or on the withers, wiping the ears with antiseptics, and sometimes by taking vitamins and immunomodulators.

• Cheyletiellosis is a skin disease; the first symptom, in addition to scabies, is dandruff. Sometimes papules appear covered with scales.

• Notoedrosis affects the face and ears: they become covered with characteristic papules, sometimes spreading to other parts of the body. The affected areas become covered with scabs, the fur falls out, and appears dull and matted. Both cheyletiellosis and notoedrosis are treated by treating the affected areas with veterinary acaricides.

Causes of itching and scratching

Sometimes scratching in a cat may not be associated with diseases, but may be caused by seasonal factors. So, during spring and autumn molting, cats begin to itch and lick themselves more intensely. By doing this, they are trying to improve blood circulation and bring the coat into complete order.

You should be wary when a cat scratches the same place. He jumps up sharply (even if he was sleeping) and begins to furiously comb out something invisible to the eye. If you observe this behavior for several days, and hair has already begun to fall out at the site of the scratching, it’s time to go to the veterinary clinic so that they can determine one of the probable causes of the problem.

The appearance of worms

Even a domestic cat that does not go outside can become infected with helminths. Parasite eggs enter the body through raw meat, unwashed grass picked on the street by a caring owner, outdoor shoes and human clothing. When worms begin to actively reproduce, the following symptoms appear:

1. Severe discomfort in the anal area. The mustachioed friend rubs against the carpet and licks the area too often.
2. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, difficulty with bowel movements.
3. Loss of the beautiful natural shine and silkiness of the coat. Severe peeling appears on the skin.
4. Discharge and inflammation of the eyes.
5. Obvious changes in the behavior of the mustachioed friend. He becomes overly restless, or maybe, on the contrary, looks at everything with indifference.
6. Lungworms and heartworms cause coughing and shortness of breath.

In this case, the cat is dewormed twice, with an interval of 10-14 days (details are indicated in the instructions for the drug). To avoid such problems in the future, make it a rule to carry out deworming quarterly.

Bacterial diseases

One of the most diagnosed bacterial diseases is pyoderma. This disease causes your pet to itch until it bleeds. The main cause of damage is long-term consumption of low-quality dry food, which contains few useful elements. Pyoderma is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• severe baldness;
• severe itching;
• skin peeling;
• scabs on the body;
• purulent inflammation with cloudy liquid.

Bacteria penetrate the epidermis and then go deep into the skin. This is especially true for short-haired or hairless breeds. Without prompt medical treatment, your pet's death is possible. Self-treatment of pyoderma is excluded.

Otitis externa

Infections of the ear canals provoke severe itching, forcing the mustachioed friend to shake his head and scratch his muzzle until it bleeds. Inflammation is quite dangerous to health, so treatment should not be delayed. In severe cases, surgery may be required. The most obvious signs of external otitis are:

• deterioration in behavior - excessive restlessness, unusual meowing;
• scratching the ears;
• frequent head shaking;
• painful sensations when pressing on the auricle.

Advanced cases are fraught with complications in the form of redness of the auricle, increased temperature, thickening and swelling of the inflamed organ. Purulent discharge is possible.

Otitis media is diagnosed and treated at a veterinary clinic - the doctor conducts tests and prescribes medications. Therapy takes up to several weeks.

Ringworm in a cat

Ringworm is a disease caused by a fungal infection. If previously lichen was considered incurable, now there are a large number of medications that relieve this problem.

It is very important to identify the pathology at an early stage so that the animal does not become a threat to surrounding family members or relatives, since lichen is a rather contagious ailment. If an animal has picked up a fungus, you can notice a number of characteristic features:

• baldness on the paws, ears, back;
• the appearance of bleeding wounds;
• formation of scabs on the body;
• change in character, lethargy, apathy;
• lack of appetite.

If signs are detected, the patient must be shown to a veterinarian. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. To do this, he will take tests and illuminate the patient’s body with an ultraviolet lamp - the fungal spores will phosphoresce. It is important to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to speed up recovery and reduce the threat of infection. Self-medication for lichen is contraindicated.

Skin parasites

Cat scratching can be caused by different types of insects: lice, mites, coccidia, ear mites and fleas. Due to infection, the coat loses its shine and becomes very thin. The skin itself becomes very dry and flabby. The cat becomes restless and experiences sudden bouts of itching.

Even a cat that does not walk outside and does not interact with other animals cannot be protected from the appearance of parasites. Infection occurs through infected clothing or shoes of the owner and family members. As a result, the animal develops a desire to scratch itself, and hair falls out in certain areas of the body. The doctor prescribes solutions and ointments to the patient. They can reduce discomfort and reduce the parasite population.

Allergic reactions

Allergies are triggered by different types of food or chemicals. The nutritional cause of sores is associated with the animal eating harmful foods or low-quality industrial feed. Allergies can also occur when a cat’s diet changes.

When visiting the veterinarian, you need to remember what your pet has eaten over the past 7-10 days. You need to talk about changing food and treats from the master's table. The doctor does tests for different allergens, and then prescribes a neutral diet. Antihistamines and ointments are prescribed as medications. These products help reduce itching and reduce the number of sores on your mustachioed friend’s body.

Non-food allergies are even more troublesome because they can be caused by anything. To begin with, the owner should change the bowls, bedding or bed, and also prevent the pet’s body from coming into contact with things washed with synthetic detergents.

It is almost impossible to determine the cause of this pathology using tests. Ulcers with scabs do not allow you to get an accurate result, so most likely it will be a false positive. In addition, non-food allergies can be seasonal. For example, during the flowering period of different plants, a reaction to pollen begins, and during dry weather, symptoms to dust may occur.

The most effective thing to do is to show maximum attention and determine what exactly is bothering the cat. Only the owner can accurately notice all changes in the cat’s behavior when a suspected allergen appears/excludes.

Hormonal imbalances

Sometimes problems with the skin appear due to diseases associated with impaired hormone secretion. Improper functioning of the endocrine system provokes many symptoms, the appearance of which requires contacting a veterinary clinic. The most common ailments associated with hormonal imbalances are:

1. Thyroid dysfunction, which causes tangled hair, flaking, severe itching and noticeable baldness.
2. Cushing's syndrome, causing severe pain and partial hair loss on the sides and back. The skin becomes very dry and loses elasticity.
3. Diabetes mellitus, which causes loss of shine and thinning of hair. The cat scratches its body until it bleeds and drinks a lot.

In a veterinary clinic, the doctor prescribes general tests of blood, urine, feces, and takes scrapings for laboratory tests. Only a thorough examination will help make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medication.

Stress and mental disorders

In rare cases, if a specialist cannot confirm the above ailments, scratching is associated with certain mental disorders. The cat begins to lick itself vigorously, which provokes the appearance of wounds and ulcers. They form on the front and hind limbs, in the scapular region. The owner should pay attention to the fact that the cat has become nervous, aggressive, and continues to lick itself, despite the increasing pain. The wounds grow rapidly and become deeper, but the animal does not pay attention to this.

The doctor will recommend the use of sedative medications. The course of medication should cause the ulcers to dry out. This occurs due to the cessation of active licking and a decrease in overall tension.

The cause of a mental disorder can be anything - from moving to a new house to a banal fright. It is important to create a calm atmosphere around and be attentive to the cat.

The structure of animal skin

The skin is the largest organ of a cat, the weight of which, depending on the species, age, and nutrition of the animal, ranges from 12 to 24% of its weight. It protects internal organs from the negative effects of the external environment, regulates body temperature, acts as an organ of touch, and performs other important functions.

The skin of a cat consists of three layers:

• epidermis;
• dermis;
• subcutaneous tissue.

Epidermis

The outer layer of the skin is the epidermis, consisting of keratinized scales. It is constantly updated. The scales leave the body when they are pushed out by young cells coming from below (the process of keratinization).

The layer is durable, elastic, capable of retaining water, salts, nutrients, and preventing infection from entering the body. There are also cells associated with whiskers and hair follicles that improve the sense of touch.

It is the epidermis that is damaged more often than others. With weak immunity, he may succumb to infection and sunlight. Fleas and ticks attack him first, gnawing holes.

basement membrane

The epidermis is separated from the next layer, the dermis, by a thin basement membrane. It is involved in cell regeneration and affects their metabolism. The elasticity of the cover depends on its integrity. Some diseases of the epidermis, as well as a number of autoimmune skin diseases of cats and dogs, can damage the membrane and disrupt its functions.

Dermis

The dermis produces collagen, which maintains skin tone. Also here is:

• A network of blood vessels through which the dermis nourishes the epidermis, fur, claws, and regulates body temperature.
• Sensory and motor nerves through which the body reacts to cold, heat, itching, pain.
• Immune cells that trap infectious agents that have been able to pass through the epidermis.

Subcutaneous layer

Subcutaneous tissue is the innermost layer. It contains subcutaneous fatty tissue, which provides insulation, is a shock absorber, and a reservoir for liquids, electrolytes, and glucose.

Wool

One of the appendages of the skin is wool. Hair follicles in adult pets are complex - they have a central hair surrounded by small hairs that come from one common pore.

Their growth and condition are affected by nutrition, hormones, molting, and health. The sebaceous glands secrete a secretion that moisturizes the skin and makes the coat soft and shiny. The color of the coat can vary depending on the time of year, temperature changes, and the amount of sunlight.

Wool protects the animal's skin from physical damage and ultraviolet radiation. It helps regulate body temperature, so it's longer in winter. In summer, the coat is not only shorter, but also has fewer secondary hairs, allowing air to pass through it calmly, cooling the skin.

Cat claws

Another appendage is the claws. The cat uses them as a tool for protection, catching prey, holding meat, and climbing. By contracting the tendons, it can retract or extend them back and forth.

Treating scratches at home

When it is not possible to quickly contact a veterinarian, the pet still needs help. If you do nothing, the situation begins to worsen, and the sores become very painful. You can understand that the pathology is becoming more complicated by the cat’s reaction - he tries to hide and does not allow the sores to be examined.

Another dangerous factor is the risk of infection of the sores. This leads to irreversible consequences and even death. This happens due to ignoring the pathology, as well as improper treatment. Therefore, if you find a sore or scratch, you should not immediately smear it with human products - it is better to observe your pet and then consult a doctor.

Sometimes the owner cannot quickly take his mustachioed friend to the hospital, but the doctor is able to prescribe medications over the phone. This will help somewhat reduce discomfort and remove the threat of the disease spreading throughout the body. It is important to remember that this does not cancel a visit to the clinic, but only provides a temporary relief effect.

The formation of abscesses and abscesses requires surgical intervention. The doctor promptly removes pus from deep wounds and washes them. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are then prescribed to restore the patient's weak immune system.

If the inflammation is not very extensive and does not provoke severe pain, then treatment at home is more like preventive measures. If there is no infection, the wounds begin to heal within a couple of days. To disinfect and relieve discomfort, sores are wiped with calendula tincture or hydrogen peroxide. You should not use alcohol solutions, because they will cause even more harm to the cat’s skin. It is best to buy a herbal mixture at the pharmacy and prepare the infusion yourself according to the instructions.

Parasites

The first step is to examine the cat - fleas, lice and ticks are usually visible to the naked eye. To eliminate them, you will need special sprays, shampoos or drops, and in some cases, for example, if the cause is fleas, you will also need to treat them at home with special products. Don’t expect your cat to stop itching right away—the reaction to flea bites lasts up to a month and a half.

A pet can suffer from parasites even if there are no fleas outside. The cat itches also due to helminthiasis - in other words, worms. Their presence in the body is also indicated by loss of appetite and decreased activity. Consult your veterinarian to select a universal anthelmintic or a remedy against a specific type of worm.

What to do if treatment is unsuccessful?

With correctly prescribed therapy, the effect is noticeable from the first days: the animal itches less and the ulcers begin to dry out. If there is no improvement within 5-7 days, you should definitely visit a veterinary clinic.

Even if the veterinarian prescribed the drugs, but there is no result, contact us again. It also happens that an examination by another doctor or in another veterinary clinic helps.

The main thing is not to let things take their course and achieve improvements in the cat’s condition. Otherwise, you will have to treat not only the root cause, but also secondary infections.

Special diet

During treatment, dietary products are selected for the cat, the consumption of which reduces the intensity of itching and the likelihood of relapses. Your cat's daily diet should be balanced. It is not recommended to give smoked and sweet foods.

Adviсe:

• If the cat was eating food before the allergy appeared, then purchase a hypoallergenic variety.
• When a cat is fed regular food, pork, potatoes and porridge are removed from the diet. They give fish, butter and vegetables.
• Adding fish oil to food (tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovy) helps reduce itching.

Timely adjustment of the diet and daily monitoring of the animal’s condition are required.

Why you can't stop itching

If you have not yet visited the veterinarian, you should not smear the sores with anything at all - this will distort the results of scrapings and tests, which will complicate the diagnosis. You should not immediately offer your animal antihistamines - firstly, you may not guess the dosage, and secondly, the blood test will be invalid.

Once the veterinarian has prescribed medications and ointments, there is no need to relieve itching - most medications already contain substances that reduce discomfort.

Finally, anti-itch medications in humans can cause allergies in cats, which will only make the problem worse.

Preventive measures for skin disease in cats

• Get the vaccine against fungal diseases (Vakderm) on time.
• Don't let your cat go outside. A pet that walks without control may well come into contact with sick animals.
• Support your pet's immunity. For prevention, give medications to strengthen the liver (Hepatovet) and immunity (Immunofan).
• Give the animal only high-quality food, do not overfeed.
• Consult a doctor at the first symptoms of cat skin diseases and begin treatment immediately.

Preventive actions

If you want to have a pet, it is recommended to experimentally test the reaction of your body and household members for the presence of allergies. For example, visit acquaintances or friends who already have a cat or cat. It is better if the communication is long and not five minutes, since an allergic reaction may not appear immediately. If after the experiments no signs of allergy were observed, then with a high degree of probability we can talk about its absence.

If you know that you are prone to an allergic reaction, but your love for cats does not allow you to completely give up your pet, then before getting a kitten, you need to carefully choose the breed. Hypoallergenic breeds will make the life of an allergy sufferer much easier.

But what if you already have a cat and are later diagnosed with an allergy? In this case, to reduce allergy symptoms and maintain a normal state, the following preventive measures must be taken:

• minimize direct contact with the animal if possible;
• take special anti-allergenic drugs;
• bathe the animal, and then comb the fur at least once a week (if possible, this should be entrusted to household members who do not suffer from allergies);
• If possible, remove as much as possible carpets, rugs, blankets and other soft coverings that can accumulate wool;
• regularly ventilate the premises;
• Do not leave personal items and items of your wardrobe in a place accessible to the animal.

Allergy

A contact allergy can be caused by a flea collar - if the cat scratches the area around the neck, you will have to discard it. Respiratory allergies occur when you inhale dust, pollen, mold or chemical powders. And some proteins in cat food contribute to the development of food allergies.

Don't rush to get antihistamines if your cat is itching. How to treat your pet will become clear when you visit a veterinarian and undergo the necessary tests. Perhaps no treatment will be needed at all, and the allergy will go away immediately after changing the food.

Stress

A change of environment, moving to a new apartment or the arrival of a new family member can negatively affect the psychological state of the pet. Cats that feel anxious begin to actively lick and scratch themselves - this is how they temporarily create a comfort zone with a familiar smell.

Distract your cat from scratching by playing together, talk to her in a soft, calm voice and maintain tactile contact. If this does not help, work with your doctor to select a treatment: herbs, drugs with pheromones, or antidepressants.

Medicines from AVZ

The AVZ company offers remedies for arachnoenthomosis for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by scabies mites. Here are some of them.

Solution for external use "Amit Forte". Available in a polymer dropper bottle. By acting on larval and mature forms of mites, the drug also helps relieve itching and inflammation, heal scratches, and has a local anesthetic effect.

“Dironet spot-on.” Drops on the withers in pipette tubes, used for arachnoenthomosis and helminthiasis.

Drops "Bars". Drops for application to the skin. The drug is not absorbed into the blood, provides protection by accumulating in the sebaceous glands, hair follicles and epidermis of the animal, thus providing a long-term contact insectoacaricidal and repellent effect.

Insectoacaricidal spray "Bars". Used against fleas, lice, lice, ixodid and sarcoptic ticks. Can be used to treat animals and their bedding. To prevent the cat from licking the product, it is advisable to put a cervical collar on it until the spray dries.