Feline Miliary Dermatitis is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to a number of agents, including the bites of fleas, mites and lice. Bacterial and fungal skin infections, nutritional disturbances and drug reactions can also produce miliary dermatitis. The affected cat breaks out along the back and around the head and neck with small bumps and crusts about the size of millet seeds beneath the coat. Itching may or may not be present.
Flea Bite Dermatitis. The skin is severly itchy and may break down, producing new patches of skin that becomes infected from intense scratching. Localized or generalized eosinophilic plaques may develop as a consequence. Eosinophilic plaque is an itchy skin condition that occurs in young to middle-aged cats (average age is three years.) It is characterized round, raised, red plaques with hair loss. These plaques are found on the abdomen and inside thighs. Although cats are especially resistant to flea bites and can harbor many fleas without symptoms. In the allergic reaction, a single bite once or twice a week is sufficient to produce the allergy. Symptoms are most commonly seen in the middle of summer (flea season). However, once the cat is exposed, if fleas live in the house, itching may persist year-round.
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is suspected by seeing the characteristic skin rash and by finding fleas on the cat. You can check for fleas by standing your cat over a sheet of white paper and brushing the coat. White and black grains of sandy material that drop on the paper are flea eggs and feces. The diagnosis is confirmed by a skin test. Itching tends to persist long after fleas have been destroyed.
TREATMENT
When fleas are present, treat infestation first. In the absence of fleas, an effort must be made to determine the cause of the miliary dermattitis.
Cortisone tablets or injections that block the allergic reaction and relieve the itching are useful in long-term management in some cats. These should be used under veterinary supervision because of potential side effects. Treat sores with a topical antibiotic/steroid ointment such as Panalog. Desensitization is not very effective.