Question: My cat has small scabs on his nose and the nose is very red and swollen. He seems to be very itchy and uncomfortable. He is mostly an indoor cat, but does escape and get outside for a few hours every night.
He hardly ever gets out in the daytime so I don?t think he is getting sunburned. I don?t think he fights with other cats. I feed him good food and he has all his shots. Why is his nose getting so bad? – Jim
Answer: The rainy season in Florida is often the peak of mosquito season. Mosquitoes love to bite cats on the nose where the skin is more exposed and easy to reach. They may also bite on the ears. Some cats are allergic to mosquito bites and the area will swell up and get red and inflamed. The nose may get scabs or even bleed where the cat scratches at it.
Your veterinarian may prescribe some antihistamines to control the itch and inflammation. Prednisone may also be used for this condition.
Ideally, preventing the mosquito from biting is the best treatment. Keeping your cat indoors is the biggest help, but mosquitoes can easily get indoors to bite your cat.
Mosquitos can also transmit heartworm disease to your cat, so be sure to use a once-a-month heartworm preventative prescribed by your veterinarian. Keep the exterior of your home free of areas where mosquitoes breed by eliminating all standing water in planters, pots, and containers. Your cat?s nose should heal very quickly.
Dr. Baker
Dr. Susan Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/10/24/cat-is-itchy-from-mosquito-bites/
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