Because the Mosquitoes are cats’ enemies? Well, because among the many forms of allergy of cats, there is a truly special one: it is the Mosquito bite facial dermatitis in cats. There are actually some cats in which mosquito bites trigger an allergic reaction that is localized, for some reason, on the head.
The curious thing is that most cat allergies manifest themselves with the same clinical presentations. There aren’t many, but that particular dermatitis localized in that point could be the indicator of various allergic diseases, which all manifest themselves in the same way. But not facial dermatitis: that is typical of mosquito bites.
Mosquito bite facial dermatitis in cats: causes
The term mosquito bite facial allergic dermatitis refers to a form of Feline hypersensitivity to mosquito saliva. It is a form of type I hypersensitivity triggered by antigens present in the saliva of mosquitoes (or even other biting insects, to be honest).
Cats that can go outside are most affected, but not exclusively. This is because, more often than not, mosquitoes and other biting insects can also enter the house, no matter how many environmental repellents or mosquito nets we use.
Obviously the disease occurs mainly in spring, summer and autumn, when mosquitoes are active.
Symptoms of feline hypersensitivity to mosquito bites
Speaking of symptomsthe Facial allergic dermatitis from mosquito bite manifests itself as a form of miliary dermatitissimilar to that caused by food allergies, but usually localized on the ears, bridge of the nose and the area between the ears and the eye, the one where there is typically less hair in cats (these are the areas where they are stung most frequently).
These are the symptoms you may notice:
Sometimes other typical symptoms may also appear Eosinophilic granuloma of the cat:
Speaking of symptoms, this form of allergy to mosquito bites is the only type of cat allergic dermatitis that can be distinguished from others by virtue of the distribution of the lesions on areas of the skin that are poorly covered by fur.
Systemic symptoms are usually absent, although occasionally one may appear low fever with increase in volume of the mandibular lymph nodes. Very rarely it is associated with forms of eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis.
Diagnosis
There diagnosis takes place through a clinical examination and anamnesis. The distribution of the lesions is quite pathognomonic of the disease. Obviously the simultaneous presence of other allergic forms in the cat must be excluded. (READ also: How to protect your cat from fleas and insects in summer: are you using the right pesticides?)
Treatment of mosquito-borne facial dermatitis in cats
As for the treatment of mosquito facial dermatitis in catsthere isn’t one treatment specification. The symptoms are treated. Since it is an allergic form it is possible to use cortisoneat the discretion of the veterinarian and in more severe cases. In lighter forms you can try using supplements based on currants, fatty acids and cannabis derivatives to relieve the symptom of itching.
In the case of the presence of crusts, ulcers and bacterial superinfection from self-trauma, it may be necessary to resort to the use of antibiotics.
It is also advisable to prevent by protecting these cats from possible contact with mosquitoes. In addition to the use of mosquito nets and environmental repellents, discuss with your veterinarian whether to use them external pesticides that can also keep mosquitoes away from the cat.
Finally, it is important to reiterate that, since it is an allergic form, the cat will never recover from this disease. At most, the symptoms can be kept under control through therapies to be adopted when necessary.
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