Expert: Jessica - 12/27/2010

Question
Hello Jessica,
I noticed today that my cat has a lot of red marks on her belly. I rolled her over to play with her and caught a good look at them. It looks something like a rash. I've been watching, and she is licking those areas more than usual. Fur has fallen, I assume because she is pulling them out herself. But I do not know. I plan to take here to the vet, and will be making an appointment tomorrow. But I would like to have some idea on what it maybe. Most of them look like red dots. Apparently, from the research that I have summed up from the internet, it’s not uncommon. If you have any information, please, pass it on.
Thank you
Khaled.

Answer
Hi Khaled,

I would be very suspicious of fleas in this instance.  Fleas tend to congregate on the belly and cause red, itchy bites.  Many cats will lick and scratch until their fur falls out.  Most vets will look at the pattern of itching and hair loss on a cat in order to determine their prime suspects, and fur loss and itching on the belly always raises suspicions of fleas.  Because cats are so meticulous about grooming, most fleas are removed before their owners ever spot them, but not before the cat is bitten.  So I would imagine that your vet will advise a flea treatment, and I think that's a good idea.

However, it's not impossible that your kitty has some other cause of itchy skin.  Miliary dermatitis is possible, though this is most commonly found on the back and tends to cause bumpy, scabby skin.  It's thought that this is mostly caused by allergies, which may be to food, something in the environment or fleas.  The most effective treatment is usually a steroid injection.

Your cat could also be grooming obsessively in response to some kind of anxiety.  This usually occurs when there's a change in the household.  Cats will over-groom and cause fur loss, known as psychogenic alopecia, and might even cause skin irritation with their rough tongue.  It's possible the red rash you're seeing is all self-inflicted.

My only other suspicions would be either a fungal or bacterial infection.  Ringworm is a common fungal infection that causes red, raised patches which usually crust over.  In some cats, they take on a characteristic round shape.  This infection can be highly contagious to other animals, including humans.  It's treated with a shampoo, cream or oral antibiotic.  A staph infection is one of the most common bacterial infections and tends to begin in a scratch or abrasion.  This bacteria can easily spread once it takes hold.  It's treated with an oral antibiotic, and sometimes a cream.

It's uncommon, but cats can also get mange.

Your vet should have a good idea as to what you're dealing with upon a physical exam, but a fur culture or skin scraping might be necessary in some cases.

Good luck!

Jessica