Cat is facing issues
My one-year-old female neutered Persian cat has recently been diagnosed with dermatitis of the face. The vet has warned me that this is a very difficult condition to cure. Have you any thoughts?
Facial dermatitis is something this breed is susceptible to. As you might suspect, this is just a description, and doesn’t say anything about the cause. Another more accurate term is idiopathic facial dermatitis, meaning that the cause is unknown.
An idiopathic condition is often difficult to cure as any treatment is symptomatic, without knowledge of underlying problems.
The diagnosis of facial dermatitis can be suspected just on the appearance, as it is characteristic.
Lesions appear in the fold between the eyes and the nose. This is very pronounced in flat-nosed cats such as yours and makes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and yeasts.
The area becomes inflamed with the accumulation of black waxy material.
Sometimes this extends to around the chin, which is why some authorities suggest the condition might be related to feline acne.
After a time, the problem sometimes causes quite severe itchiness, which is upsetting to both the cat and owner, and not easy to control.
Bacteria and yeasts can be isolated from the lesions, but in spite of this there is usually a poor response to specific treatment for these organisms.
Other diseases such as ringworm and mite infestations are ruled out before idiopathic dermatitis is diagnosed.
Treatment aims to control the disease rather than cure, which may require anti-inflammatory drugs.
QMy seven-year-old female neutered crossbreed dog has been diagnosed with diabetes. She will need insulin, but I’m worried it will all be too much for me and I won’t be able to manage the injections. Do most people cope?
A
It is common to feel overwhelmed and anxious when you find out that your dog needs insulin injections.
But my experience is that the majority of owners, even those with no scientific knowledge, become quickly proficient in treating their dogs.
Most dogs with diabetes lack sufficient levels of insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. These become very high and excess amounts spill over into the urine, which is abnormal. The typical signs, along with blood glucose level measurements and urine tests for glucose, make the diagnosis straightforward. Increased thirst, urinating more often and weight loss are common in the early stages. Later, an untreated diabetic dog can become obviously ill with appetite loss and vomiting.
The essentials of treatment are to inject insulin so that the blood glucose reduces to levels as near as possible to normal, without causing the level to go too low. Usually, insulin is injected twice daily, and small needles ensure that dogs tolerate the injections very well.
You will be advised on a suitable diabetic diet. Once your vet establishes the initial insulin dose, periodic tests of blood and urine ensure good control is maintained. It doesn’t usually take long before some tests can be done at home with support from the veterinary team, easing your worries.