Cat has scabs, itching. Miliary dermatitis? What to do without a vet?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 4th, 2018

  While it is important to treat Princess for the fleas, you will also need to treat the environment to prevent a reinfestation (https://www.petcoach.co/article/flea-control-and-prevention/. The dermatitis looks fairly severe and it may not resolve without antibiotic treatment.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on April 7th, 2017

  Oh no, poor Stokely! Feline miliary dermatitis commonly results from an allergic reaction. The most common cause is an allergy to flea bites, so make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments. If he's not, I can give you a flea treatment program. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.
  
  I would have have Stokely seen by a vet. Miliary dermatitis may also require corticosteroids to treat itchiness and discomfort, which the vet can prescribe. In addition, the vet can determine what is causing the dermatitis and can treat the inciting cause if he is up to date on his flea treatments.

  

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• Answered By David Darvishian

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 9th, 2017

  Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Frank. Sounds like he is suffering from the following- Small scabs which can cover the head, neck, back, etc are indicative of a condition known as Feline Miliary Dermatitis. Most times there is hair loss and increased itching also. The causes are many including fleas, ticks, mites, allergies, skin infection, immune-mediated problems, etc. Unfortunately, there really isn't much you can do at home to address the condition and intense itching. Just make sure that the flea situation is under control, treating all pets and treating all indoor environmental areas. To break the flea cycle, typically this can take up to 3 months of diligent attention. That allows enough time to get all of the life stages of flea under control.
  
  I would advise that you take Frank to your vet for a thorough history and evaluation (physical exam). Your vet can then advise either diagnostics (lab tests, skin tests including skin scrape, etc,) and/or treatment for this condition. This condition is treated with steroids (often by injection, long-acting), antibiotics, other allergy medicines, good flea/tick products, and many others depending on what your vet thinks is the inciting cause.
  
  Here is some information from a veterinary only website-
  
  Miliary Dermatitis
  Becky Lundgren (author)
  
  Cats can get a condition called miliary dermatitis, which is the descriptive term used for a cutaneous reaction pattern of focal (localized) or generalized small papules (bumps) or crusts. Miliary dermatitis is not a specific disease. It is secondary to many other diseases.
  
  Causes of miliary dermatitis include insect (flea, mosquito, ear mite, etc.) bite hypersensitivity, atopy (sensitivity to aero-allergens such as pollen, mold, house dust mites, etc.), adverse reaction to a food, bacterial superficial folliculitis (inflamed skin follicles), dermatophytosis (fungal disease), feline scabies, mast cell tumors, and pemphigus foliaceus. Flea hypersensitivity is the most common cause of miliary dermatitis.
  
  Diagnosis of the root cause of miliary dermatitis may require cytology, skin scrapings, insect control trial, elimination diet, fungal culture, and biopsy.
  
  Treatment is based on eliminating or treating the root cause of miliary dermatitis.
  
  Here's a client information guide from Univ of FL veterinary school
  
  vetmed-hospitals-smallanimal.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/files/2011/09/Skin-Diseases-in-Cats-client-guide.pdf
  
  Good luck with Frank. I hope this resolves quickly. I just treated my outside cat Opie for this particular problem.
  

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 2nd, 2017

  The treatment depends on the cause. The most common cause of military dermatitis is an allergy to flea bites. The cat will need to be treated for fleas, and then will need steroids or antihistamines to treat the allergy. It can also be caused by parasitic infection such as cheyletiellosis, which then requires medicated baths, dips, or sprays to treat. Should it be caused by a food allergy, the vet may prescribe an hypoallergenic food trial. I would have Ashley seen by a vet to have the cause of her military dermatitis diagnosed so she can be prescribed the appropriate treatment.

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful