veterinary medicine Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. Along with this, it deals with animal rearing, husbandry, breeding, research on nutri ...

, miliary dermatitis is a

multifocal Progressive lenses, also called multifocal lenses, progressive addition lenses (PAL), varifocal lenses, progressive power lenses, graduated prescription lenses, or progressive spectacle lenses are corrective lenses used in eyeglasses to correct ...

distribution of skin lesions, with no identifiable pattern. The term ''miliary'' means

millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets ...

-like, as the papules on the coat of an affected cat feel similar to millet seeds.

Causes

Miliary dermatitis is classified as a cutaneous reaction pattern of inflammation and can be the manifestation of a wide variety of skin allergies, infections or parasitic infestations. The majority of cases are associated with feline

flea allergy dermatitis Flea allergy dermatitis is an eczematous itchy skin disease of dogs and cats. For both of these domestic species, flea allergy dermatitis is the most common cause of skin disease. Affected animals develop allergic reactions to chemicals in flea sa ...

Clinical Signs

Cats with miliary dermatitis have a rash consisting of fine papules surmounted by small crusts. Although most are unaffected by rash, where noticed a broad rash can be concentrated to the back of the neck, scapular (shoulder blade) and surrounding areas, and/or the lower abdomen and surrounding areas. Secondary infection with ''

Staphylococcus intermedius ''Staphylococcus intermedius'' is a Gram-positive, catalase positive member of the bacterial genus ''Staphylococcus'' consisting of clustered cocci. Strains of this species were originally isolated from the anterior nares of pigeons, dogs, cats ...

'' is common. Signs include itchiness, "elevated grooming", and visible spots of fur-loss.

Treatment

The basis of the treatment is identification and management of the underlying cause. Cats may also be treated with antibiotics and cortisone drugs. The disease may be chronic and recurrent.

References

* *{{cite book , author1=William H. Miller, Jr, author2=Craig E Griffin, author3=Danny W. Scott , title = Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology 6th Edition , publisher = WB Saunders Company , date = 2001 , location = Philadelphia, PA , isbn = 978-0-7216-7618-0 Cat diseases

Causes

Clinical Signs

Treatment

See also

References