The cat has blackness under his nose. Skin diseases in cats

Injuries

The cat's nose is a very sensitive and delicate organ; it is naturally constantly moisturized, for this reason its damaged skin takes a long time to heal. If there is no doubt that the cause of the appearance of black crusts on the nose is an injury, then the cat will not require special treatment. After the damaged tissue is restored, the crust will fall off on its own. Only if weeping wounds or ulcers appear, the nose should be treated with an antiseptic.

Black cats will always have black noses too.

Treatment of the disease

Having heard a diagnosis from a veterinarian, the owner usually wants to know how to treat subcutaneous mites in cats. Treatment of the disease is complex. Not only specific acaricidal drugs will be required, but also immunomodulators and antibiotics. In advanced cases, patience and perseverance are required from the owner, as the healing process can take months.

When treating an animal, it is necessary to disinfect care items (combs, slickers, etc.), premises, and bedding. This will prevent re-infection.

The effectiveness of the therapy should be monitored using laboratory methods, with regular scrapings done in a veterinary clinic. A complete cure is considered when two negative results are achieved. If there are other animals living in the house, they should be shown to a veterinarian.

Black spots, dots on the cat's nose

In cats of different age groups and breeds, dark spots can either appear suddenly or disappear throughout life.

Most often, black spots and dots resemble freckles in humans. They are called acne (blackheads) or lentigo (benign pigment spots with a diameter of 0.5-1.5 mm). Mostly localized on the nose, chin, ears, lips, paw pads.

In most cases, black spots on the nose, lips, and ears appear in adult cats, especially in animals that walk outside. Note that dark spots on the nose are clearly visible if the cat’s earlobe is light pink.

Infections

Black crusts on the nose of cats, along with purulent discharge, can be symptoms of infectious diseases. To successfully treat an infection, you should first undergo tests (skin scraping and nasal swab) to determine the nature of the disease. In case of infection, the affected areas are treated with chlorhexidine (Miramistin) and lubricated with levomekol or other antibacterial agents as recommended by a doctor.

The color of a cat's nose always matches the color of its coat.

Important! If left untreated, infectious diseases can lead to complications or even death of the animal.

We should not forget that the health of mustachioed babies, like any children, is more fragile than that of adult animals, so a kitten’s dirty, crusty nose requires immediate action and timely treatment.

You should pay special attention to the health of kittens

Other reasons

Milliary dermatitis
The reason that a cat has bumps on the ears, roughness and bumpiness of the skin is not always a subcutaneous mite. Similar signs may be observed in a pet in the following cases:

Clinical symptoms of skin diseases are very diverse. For differential diagnosis, laboratory, microscopic and allergic research methods are used. Therefore, if you find bumps, roughness and other skin pathologies in your pet, you must visit a veterinary clinic.

Causes of black, dark spots on a cat's nose

Black dots on a furry pet’s nose appear for a variety of reasons (physiological, pathological), among which are:

• breed, genetic predisposition;
• exposure to sunlight;
• metabolic failures;
• hormonal imbalance;
• errors in feeding, improper care;
• endocrine pathologies, chronic diseases;
• sudden change in diet;
• stress, emotional turmoil;
• violation of hygiene rules, feeding from dirty bowls;
• tendency to allergies;
• a sharp change in diet, switching to new foods;
• dermatological problems (contact, chronic, atypical, infectious dermatitis caused by viruses, fungi);
• mycoses;
• problems in the functioning of the liver and pancreas.

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As a rule, the mechanism for the appearance of black dots on the nose of cats is associated with an excess, enhanced production of the melanin pigment (responsible for the dark color). Spots on the lobe most often appear with age and are very rare in young kittens.

As for breed predisposition, black spots on the nose can be found in Sphynxes, Devonrexes, Abbishinos, Siamese, Persian, and Himalayan cats.

Symptoms of infectious diseases

If you have a fungal infection, the crusts on your cat's nose may appear black or brown. Fungal diseases should be treated with antifungal agents, such as clotrimazole or fungin.

If a cat has black nasal discharge, this may be a consequence of otitis media or a symptom of a mite or fungus entering the sinuses and developing inflammation. To help your cat, you should get tested (scraping from the affected area) as soon as possible and, depending on the results, select a suitable treatment regimen from your veterinarian.

Black crusts under a cat's nose may be the result of a fungal infection.

Cats are by nature predators and pack animals, so they try not to show their weakness. In order not to miss the onset of the disease and to treat your pet at the initial stage, you should carefully monitor its behavior and condition. A cat's dirty nose is a serious symptom that should not be ignored. And in a small kitten, discharge from the nose and eyes can lead to serious consequences or even a threat to life.

Nasal discharge

If a kitten has pus flowing from its nose, this is a very dangerous symptom. Discharge is a consequence of a malfunction of the mucous membranes. If the irritation is caused by a foreign body entering the nostril, then purulent or bloody discharge will come from one nostril.

Clear discharge from both nostrils accompanied by sneezing is most likely the result of an allergy. Thick, opaque pus coming from a cat's nose is a sign of a respiratory infection or rhinitis. If the purulent discharge is thick, yellow or dark in color with an unpleasant odor, then most likely there is a bacterial infection.

If you notice discharge from your cat's nose, you should contact your veterinarian without wasting any time.

Important! If you find discharge from a cat's nose, you should not think for a long time about what to do, but you need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible and begin treatment, since with serious inflammation, days can count.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye, is a common disease in cats. Its causes can be very different: inflammation of the eyelids, infectious diseases, injuries or allergies. Inflammation can also occur from irritation of the mucous membrane, for example, from aerosols or cigarette smoke, so you should monitor the cleanliness of the air in the room where pets are kept. Depending on the severity, there are four types of conjunctivitis:

• catarrhal - the most harmless. Transparent drops, similar to tears, are released from the eyes. Sometimes it may be accompanied by an increase in temperature. This is the mildest type of this disease, which with proper treatment goes away easily and quickly, leaving no complications;
• purulent. Thick yellow or green discharge flows from the eyes, sometimes smelling foul. The cause of purulent conjunctivitis is most often inflammation of an infectious nature;
• the danger of phlegmonous conjunctivitis is that pus not only comes out, but also accumulates inside the eye, which can lead to serious complications;
• The most severe type of conjunctivitis is follicular. This is a chronic disease in which the eye follicles begin to rot. Requires complex and lengthy treatment under the constant supervision of a veterinarian.

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For your information! If conjunctivitis is not treated on time, the animal may go blind.

Purulent otitis in cats is a common and dangerous disease, the causes of its occurrence, as well as the symptoms, can be different:

• mechanical damage. Foreign objects entering a cat's ear can damage delicate tissues, which in turn can lead to infection and inflammation;
• various parasites;
• The main symptom of an allergy is itching. The animal scratches the damaged areas, and dirt getting into the scratches can lead to infection;
• the fungus provokes the development of purulent inflammation;
• Viral pathologies are complications that arise due to improper treatment or its absence.

Important! If the cat does not receive timely treatment, then not only the ear, but also the meninges become inflamed, which can lead to meningitis.

Decreased appetite

Decreased appetite along with nasal discharge may be a sign of a cold in an animal. Snot from a cold is viscous and transparent. In case of serious complications, thick discharge and crusts may appear on the face. If a pet constantly breathes through its mouth, then this also indicates a cold, since its nose is blocked with pus and there is not enough oxygen.

Lethargy

A healthy animal should be active, cheerful and playful. If the cat has become apathetic, uninterested in anything, and has trouble standing on its paws, this is a reason to sound the alarm. Lethargy can be a symptom of diseases such as asthma, bartonellosis, kidney disease, pancreatitis, infectious peritonitis, plague, and many others.

Why do crusts appear?

Mechanical damage

A red or brown spot on a kitten's face is the result of injury. A healthy pet's nose is always slightly moist, as a result of which when a wound appears, it takes a long time to heal. If the owner is sure that the problem is related specifically to mechanical damage to the skin, then it is worth treating the affected area with antiseptics several times a day. In this way, it is possible to speed up the process of disappearance of the stain and prevent infection from entering the wound.

Veterinarians warn that antiseptic solutions are required if a weeping erosion or crust appears in the cat’s wound area, which prevents the pet from breathing normally.

Infectious diseases

A sign of an infectious disease may be the animal’s reluctance to eat any food.
If a cat's nose darkens or a light-colored stripe appears on it, this may be the result of an infection in the wound. Such a disorder can be recognized by the altered state of the pet. The kitten becomes lethargic and does not want to eat, including its favorite treats. In a severe form of an infectious disease, as a result of which a black spot appears on the nose, the following symptoms are observed:

• gagging;
• diarrhea;
• dehydration of the body.

In case of such an illness, you should not delay going to the veterinarian, especially if the cat has not received all vaccinations. An infectious disease is fraught with serious complications. A black crust that forms near a kitten's nose can develop into a rotting wound and lead to other dangerous consequences that result in the death of the pet. It is impossible to cope with the problem at home on your own, since the animal requires long-term therapy in a hospital setting.

Skin diseases

Often behind this symptom lies a fungus that has infected the pet’s skin.
Some owners do not pay much attention to this problem, thinking that the cat simply has a dirty nose. But often the cause of the disorder is a dermatological disease of varying complexity. The source of the disease are fungi and bacteria that actively multiply. To select treatment, your pet must undergo laboratory tests to determine the causative agent of black spots in the nose area. Different groups of medications are prescribed to treat the crusts that appear. It is equally important to regularly wipe your cat’s nose with antiseptics to prevent re-infection.

Allergic reaction

Black spots on a cat’s nose or in the lip area can appear as an allergy to various irritants. In most cases, dry crust occurs due to the consumption of certain foods, as a result of which the kitten has an allergic reaction. But sometimes the problem is related to the contact of a pet with household chemicals. To eliminate stains in the nose area, you need to take antihistamines, which are purchased at a veterinary pharmacy as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Does calcivirosis affect?

With this disease, characteristic wounds can be found in the animal’s mouth.
A white spot or black nose in a cat sometimes appears against the background of a disease of infectious origin. The disease most often occurs in pets that have not been vaccinated. Calcivirosis is accompanied not only by a spot on the nose, but also by other symptoms:

• wounds of various sizes in the mouth and ears;
• inflammatory reaction of the conjunctival membrane;
• increased tearing of the eyes;
• damage to the joints of the cat’s limbs;
• heat;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• labored breathing.

Veterinarians note that if a cat has calcivirosis, it is necessary to use special drops that dissolve the crusts and allow the pet to breathe normally.

When should an owner sound the alarm?

Black dots on the nose that have developed for pathological reasons, due to hormonal, systemic disruptions in the body, may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• itching, scratching on the face;
• restless behavior;
• the appearance of a skin rash, bald patches on the body;
• poor coat quality;
• dry nose;
• unstable temperature;
• decreased activity;
• refusal of food;
• increased thirst;
• skin inflammation;
• the appearance of scabs, dry crusts on the nose;
• swelling.

If dark dots, spots of different diameters, increase in size, are distributed throughout the animal’s body, ulcers are noticeable, or other signs that are not typical for a healthy cat, it would be a good idea to show your pet to a veterinarian, since such symptoms may signal the development of neoplasia and skin cancer.

Malignant pigment spots have a dirty yellow, brown, dark brown color with a reddish tint, and uneven edges. They may protrude somewhat above the surface of the skin. In severe cases, blackheads can spread throughout the pet's entire body.

What to do if your cat has black spots on his nose

If the dark spots periodically disappear and appear, but the cat feels fine, do not worry. Perhaps the appearance of black dots on the nose is caused by the pet’s exposure to the sun or other harmless factors (genetic predisposition, change of diet).

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At home, you can wipe your cat’s nose with hydrogen peroxide 2-3 times a day. The solution is diluted 1/1 in water. You can use antiseptics (miramistin, chlorhexidine), decoctions of medicinal herbs (calendula, chamomile).

In all other cases, if there are obvious signs of illness, take the cat to the clinic for examination.

In what cases should you contact a veterinarian?

In addition to freckles, clogged pores - acne - lead to the formation of blackheads on the nose. This problem can be solved cosmetically, but its root cause always lies in:

The pores will not expand and become clogged if the cat is healthy! Acne is a problem of metabolism, and more specifically, of nutrition and hygiene. However, blackheads most often appear on the chin and area around the nose, rather than on the nose itself.

To treat acne, local remedies are used to expand and clean the pores. After the procedure, special care and therapy are prescribed. The goal of therapy is to allow the pores to narrow, preventing the development of inflammation and dirt from entering them.

Pet treatment

If your cat's nose begins to turn black, you should not self-medicate or waste time. Without special education, it is impossible to establish the exact reason why the nose turned black or discharge began. And not only the pet’s health, but also its life often depends on a timely visit to the veterinarian.

Only a veterinarian can correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment for a cat.

Important! It should be remembered that water is much more important than food. The animal will live no more than two days without water, so you need to carefully monitor the pet and, if necessary, forcefully water it from a syringe, after immobilizing its paws.

Causes of blackheads

The reason for the localization of acne on the chin is in the characteristics of the animal’s coat. The chin is one of the most fur-free places on an animal’s body, so there are a lot of sebaceous glands there that cause rashes. Among other things, this part of the body is often contaminated during eating, which only benefits the glands.

However, if your cat has black spots around his mouth, don't immediately blame dirt. Many clean pets that receive proper care suffer due to heredity. If your pet is overtaken by such an individual trait, do not worry. Although there is no cure for acne, its symptoms can be kept under control using hygiene products.

Also, black spots in a cat’s mouth can appear for the following reasons:

• hormone failure;
• eating disorders;
• problems with the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, liver;
• disorders of a vegetative and immune nature.

Black specks of a cat in the ears indicate poor care. Under normal conditions, the body produces sulfur in small quantities. Usually, sulfur does not interfere with the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, but it tends to accumulate, causing a malfunction of the glands and, as a result, the appearance of acne. This is especially true for breeds with large, open ears. It is noteworthy that excessive care can also lead to the formation of dots. If you clean your pet's ears too thoroughly, the glands may begin to secrete wax in double the amount to restore the protective layer.

If your cat has black spots in her fur and is wearing a collar, it may be an accessory issue. In this case, it could be an allergy to the collar material, irritation, or insufficient air flow to the skin.

Among other things, black spots in a cat’s mouth can be caused by stress, poor care of dishes, and allergies to litter. Rashes can also occur due to contact dermatitis and other skin diseases that provoke increased oil production.

As you can see, there are many reasons, and in order to identify the original source of the problem, you need to contact a veterinarian.

Care

Before the doctor arrives, the animal should be provided with complete rest. The nose should not be completely cleared of pus so as not to complicate the diagnosis. Excessive heat before the doctor arrives is also not recommended, as this can increase inflammation. After receiving a diagnosis, you should strictly follow all the veterinarian’s instructions for care, treatment and feeding, without skipping procedures.

In addition to direct treatment, a sick animal also needs the care and attention of its owner. You need to find time not only for medical procedures, but also for affectionate communication with your pet. You should also monitor the cleanliness of the animal’s fur, since due to weakness, most likely the cat will not have the strength to maintain it in proper form, and he will be very grateful to the owner for timely combing and cleansing the fur from pus, secretions or food debris.

For a sick animal, the care and attention of the owner is very important

If a cat has a black spot on its nose or any discharge from the nose or eyes, this is always a cause for concern. It should be remembered that people are responsible for those they have tamed. And the owner’s attentive attitude towards his pet is a guarantee of the animal’s health and longevity.

Diseases of the nasal cavity in cats

Snot in a kitten, cat and cat: how to treat it

There are a number of other diseases that can cause a sore or something similar to appear on a cat’s nose. Typically, external manifestations do not arise due to viruses, bacteria or fungi, but due to various types of secretions that accompany the disease.

Important! An animal can tear its own nose if it hurts or itches.

Wounds and allergies

Sores and crusts on or around the spout are often a symptom of allergies or mechanical damage. Allergies can occur due to detergents used when cleaning an apartment or house, the owner's perfume, allergens in food additives and feed. Allergies can be cured with special medications that have an antihistamine effect. They are sold at any veterinary pharmacy. Well, of course, it is recommended to find the cause of the cat’s respiratory depression and eliminate it.

Polypous formations

The occurrence of polyps may well be caused by chronic and indolent diseases of the cat’s nasopharynx, rhinitis or improper hygiene. Reasons also include genetic and breed predispositions, as well as regular trauma to the nasal mucosa. This manifests itself not only in discharge, but also in the fact that the animal is choking, sneezing and coughing.

White cats are more likely to suffer from cancer

What do wounds look like?

Sores are a problem common not only among old cats, but also among kittens. They occur not only around the nose, but also around the lips, eyebrows and neck. Most often their localization is directly between the nose and mouth.

In the vast majority of cases, wounds are formations in the form of dried or still oozing crusts or wet ulcers. In this case, hair can grow not only from them, but also under them, which worsens the situation and reduces the hygiene of the affected area.

Important! Despite the type of wounds, it is possible to accurately determine the disease that caused them only after a series of examinations and tests carried out by a specialist in this field.

Injuries, bruises of the nose

Various mechanical injuries to the nose can happen not only to yard and walking cats, but also to pets that have never gone outside. The reasons for this are quite clear. The most common:

• unsuccessful hunting or jumping;
• fights with their relatives for food and females;
• influence from people.

You can treat minor abrasions and ulcers by lightly lubricating them with sea buckthorn or olive oil. For greater effect, you can add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to olive oil, which has antimicrobial and antiseptic effects.

Note! Before the procedure, it is recommended to rinse the wound or suppuration thoroughly with water or moisten it with a cotton swab soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate.

A cat's healthy nose

Ringworm

Often the cause of wounds and crusts is ringworm. This is not the most dangerous disease, but its pathogens can live outside the body of an animal or person for five years. It is quite easy to identify, since lichen appears as red and flaky spots, which often cause hair loss in pets. This is not a fatal disease, and it does not affect specific organs, but it is unpleasant even for a cat.

Infectious causes of runny nose

If a cat suffers from black flaky crusts on the nose for a long time, then the cause must be sought in viruses and infections. Additional symptoms are:

• the animal becomes lethargic and often refuses to eat;
• after eating, it is rejected in the form of vomiting;
• regular diarrhea and dehydration;
• sniffles and constant sneezing.

Viral infections are very dangerous for cats that have not been vaccinated at a certain time. If there is no immunity to fight the disease, then the body will weaken and the animal may die.

Important! In this case, it is absolutely not worth treating the cat on your own. This will subsequently lead to worsening of the situation and death. Once symptoms are identified, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Very advanced skin disease

Atopic dermatitis

Another disease that affects the skin. It is quite common and is often diagnosed by animal disease specialists. Problems arise during the treatment process. It is difficult to apply ointment or bandages to animals because they will immediately try to remove or lick them off.

Symptoms of the disease vary in nature, but among them, damage to the area around the nose and mouth by dermatitis often stands out. In these places, hair falls out, and the skin bleeds, festers and turns red. All this is accompanied by severe itching.