FELINE SKIN PROBLEMS
Feline skin problems can be distressful for the owner as well as the cat! Cats (and all domesticated animals) can suffer, for example, from Moist Eczema - a very common skin condition often referred to as dermatitis. This can often cause lots of itchiness and irritation, sometimes leading to weeping and crusting with secondary infection from bacteria and fungi. You might now find your cat 'attacking' the area by licking, biting or rubbing at it. As saliva tends to worsen the condition, this becomes a vicious circle leading to further irritation. Moist eczema is common in cats and dogs after a flea allergy, ear problems, impacted anal glands, pain from arthritic joints and any other condition causing an animal to lick its skin. So the skin problems are often along backs and sides, around the ears, on limbs, beneath and to either side of the tail, between its paw digits and anywhere with folds of skin (especially around the head). On account of the constant licking, it isn't unusual for the disease to be transferred to the mouth and lip area. Highly respected veterinary surgeon David Urch BSc MA VetMB MRCVS recommends this treatment for moist eczema and for some other feline skin problems:
N.B. "Healing crisis". David Urch tells us: 'Do not be over concerned if the symptoms of skin irritation appear to get worse initially. This occurs because Aloe Vera increases the rate of healing of the skin, concentrating the healing period into a shorter time. The healing crisis may last 5-10 days. Continue with the oral gel during this time and hold back temporarily with the topical preparations. If this period persists ensure the diagnosis is re-confirmed by a veterinary surgeon. It is crucial ALWAYS to seek veterinary advice if you are in any doubt, or if the condition does not show signs of improvement within a few days. Some conditions require IMMEDIATE veterinary assistance.'
Misty with her 'medicine'!
Here's an inspirational testimonial that has just reached me from Spain: 'A few weeks ago we noticed a stray Ferrel cat sitting on our terrace. It was beautifully marked, very thin, and it spat and hissed at Stella our dog. When we approached, it ran away. Several days passed and our visitor kept turning up every day. We were able to get nearer and saw the fur around it's neck was sparse from an injury, and "it" was "he". We christened him "Misty", because of his grey colouring. He also sneezed often, which distressed him. Because of his neck injury, it seemed he was unable to eat solids, he spat and hissed at the chopped tuna we offered him. Instead he readily lapped up goats' milk. So we devised a "cocktail" of liquidised tuna mixed with milk and a few drops of Aloe Vera Gel. The transformation is amazing! He is very friendly, tolerates Stella and allows us to stroke him and pick him up! He meows hungrily for his daily "Aloe Tuna Cocktail" and loves coming inside the house to escape from the hot sun! Plus his health has improved - the sneezes are less frequent and a few more days we're sure the Aloe will have completed its magic - a happy, healthy cat!' (Trisha Reynolds) Further potential feline skin problems: Flea Allergy Eczema First, says David, it's necessary to control the fleas - which Aloe Vera doesn't kill. There are, though, a number of veterinary preparations that will. These come in the form of sprays, powders, washes and liquid agents and are applied directly to the cat. A possibly preferable way to control fleas long term, is a product making it impossible for fleas to complete their life cycle. They then produce non-viable eggs. Once the fleas are under control the pruritic eczema can be dealt with:
Because of a cat's territorial nature and the fights that can consequently break out, cat bite abscesses are a fairly common occurrence, with the bacteria invading the blood stream sometimes causing the cat to become quite ill. David advocates hot poultices during the early stages to encourage the abscess to ripen, while obtaining veterinary advice to find out whether antibiotics or other medical treatment is required. He would then spray the area with Aloe Vera spray solution, apply Aloe Vera Gelly and add 15-20mls of Aloe Vera gel to the diet, giving one Bee Propolis tablet per day. Once the abscess bursts, to keep the open wound clean and assist healing, he suggests: And should the area not heal fully:
I do hope that you've found help here with your feline skin problems! In conclusion I cannot recommend too highly David Urch's wonderful book ALOE VERA NATURE'S GIFT. Here you can find out everything you could possibly need to know about feline skin problems, aloe and animals from the expert himself! I regard its 238 pages as an absolute bible of animal and aloe care.
All products mentioned above for feline skin problems can be found here in my Online Aloe Store, where there is fast delivery, no minimum order - and a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee!
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