Page 64 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Immune system disorders

The immune system fights infections and diseases. Disorders arise if the
system is weakened, or conversely if it is overstimulated by normally
harmless substances, or overreacts and attacks the body’s own tissues.

Allergies vomiting as well as itching.
These arise when the immune Inhaled allergens can cause
Signs of a problem system overreacts to substances asthma (see p.58). Insect bites or
in the environment that are usually stings (see p.77) can cause severe
■ Itchy skin, excessive scratching harmless, such as dust, pollen, skin irritation or even a dangerous
and licking of skin, facial irritation, chemicals, and some foods. Flea reaction called anaphylaxis.
rubbing at ears and eyes (allergy)
■ Flat or raised sore areas with bites are one of the most common A vet may carry out skin or
hair loss, broken or ulcerated skin, causes of allergies. All of these blood tests to identify substances
sores in mouth, and excessive substances contain molecules that trigger allergies. The main
scratching, rubbing, or licking known as allergens. Cats often treatment is to remove or minimize
of affected areas (eosinophilic develop allergies when young allergens in the environment—
62 granuloma complex)
■ Weight loss, reduced appetite, and may have them for life. for example, eliminating fleas, or
and swollen lymph nodes that can Allergies most often affect the changing the diet to avoid foods that
be felt under the skin at the jaw, skin, making it itchy and inflamed. trigger reactions. The vet may also
armpits, and groin (lymphoma) Cats may scratch or groom prescribe medications such as low-
■ Pustules, scaling and crusting themselves excessively, causing dose corticosteroids or cyclosporine,
of skin, ulcers on head and ears, hair loss and sore or broken skin to control allergic reactions. In
skin at base of claws, gums and (see p.51). Direct contact with some cases, a course of injections
lips, or generalized (pemphigus)
allergens can cause conjunctivitis may be given to desensitize your
(see p.48). Food allergies can cause cat to one or more allergens
identified, but this treatment may
need to be continued for some time.

Eosinophilic
granuloma complex
This term refers to a group of
severe allergic skin reactions
caused by overactivity of
eosinophils—white blood cells that
normally respond to allergens or
fight off parasites. The saliva from
flea, mosquito, or mite bites (see
p.52) is a common cause of these
reactions. Other causes include
food or inhaled allergens.
The reactions cause three main
types of sore. Granulomas are
lumpy or ridgelike sores that most

◁ Scratching and over-grooming
Allergens most often produce skin irritation
or inflammation in cats, leading to repeated
scratching, rubbing of the eyes, or excessive
licking and chewing of the skin.

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