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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
Cat with blisters on hind legs
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A - Small Animals, dogs, cats, C.V.A, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncture
American Animal Hospital
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
Cat with blisters on hind legs
by RodF1966, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
Our female siamese (Sealpoint) cat has had blisters appear all over her hind legs. We've had her to the vet but they can't seem to find the cause. We've treated her numorous times for fleas using revalution and don't see any fleas at this point. She's an inside cat and our only pet. She constantly licks at the places but doesn't seem to be in any real pain from them. Her weight, appitite is good and she doesn't act sick. The blisters/sores start at her ankels and go up to her inner thighs. Her hair there had fallen out but is growing back somewhat. Any suggestions?? We're just at a loss. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
, May 04, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Rod,
Your cat could still have flea allergy dermatitis among other things. A single fleabite, even if you never see the flea could cause symptoms for a month. Your cat’s licking and chewing at her legs could perpetuate the sores by allowing bacteria into the wounds causing a secondary bacterial infection. The other causes for this kind of behavior and sores are other forms of allergy including anything in the environment or food, other skin parasites such as scabies, fungal or yeast infections, autoimmune diseases and behavioral disorders. This is a long list, but your veterinarian can rule them out by diagnostic testing such as skin scrapings, impression smears, trichoscopy (examine the hair and hair follicles microscopically), fungal and yeast testing, intradermal skin tests, blood tests and, skin biopsy. Much of the time a skin scraping is often the only test necessary, since Ectoparasites (skin parasites) are very common. Revolution is very good for several types of external skin parasites including fleas and mites but it must be placed on the skin (not the hair) every two weeks for at least three doses. It would help in your cat’s case if a diagnosis were made so that the appropriate treatment could be instituted. If your cat has a secondary bacterial pyoderma (skin infection) she may also need an antibiotic. If the sores are very itchy your cat may need an injection of steroids (or oral dose of steroids) to help decrease inflammation in addition to the other medications. Hope that helps!
Thanks.
Dr. Cheng
Your cat could still have flea allergy dermatitis among other things. A single fleabite, even if you never see the flea could cause symptoms for a month. Your cat’s licking and chewing at her legs could perpetuate the sores by allowing bacteria into the wounds causing a secondary bacterial infection. The other causes for this kind of behavior and sores are other forms of allergy including anything in the environment or food, other skin parasites such as scabies, fungal or yeast infections, autoimmune diseases and behavioral disorders. This is a long list, but your veterinarian can rule them out by diagnostic testing such as skin scrapings, impression smears, trichoscopy (examine the hair and hair follicles microscopically), fungal and yeast testing, intradermal skin tests, blood tests and, skin biopsy. Much of the time a skin scraping is often the only test necessary, since Ectoparasites (skin parasites) are very common. Revolution is very good for several types of external skin parasites including fleas and mites but it must be placed on the skin (not the hair) every two weeks for at least three doses. It would help in your cat’s case if a diagnosis were made so that the appropriate treatment could be instituted. If your cat has a secondary bacterial pyoderma (skin infection) she may also need an antibiotic. If the sores are very itchy your cat may need an injection of steroids (or oral dose of steroids) to help decrease inflammation in addition to the other medications. Hope that helps!
Thanks.
Dr. Cheng
