Cat Miliary Dermatitis

Also known as blotch, feline eczema, and scabby cat disease, military dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that can be an indication of several serious conditions including:

• Flea allergies
• Food allergies
• Atopy (inhaled allergies)
• Autoimmune diseases
• Bacterial infections
• Yeast infections
• Intestinal parasites
• Fungal infections
• Hormonal imbalances
• Biotin deficiency
• Fatty acid deficiency
• Lice
• Mites

Miliary dermatitis gets its name from the small crusty lesions it produces which are similar to millet seeds in appearance.

Symptoms of Miliary Dermatitis

The primary symptom of military dermatitis is presence of the millet seed-like lesions. These crusty red bumps often cluster around the head, or base of the tail of affected cats. Sometimes, however, they cover larger areas of the cat’s body. Cats with military dermatitis may feel extremely itchy, and thus you may observe an increase in scratching and rubbing, and other damage associated with that behavior.

Since military dermatitis is itself a symptom, be aware that it may be accompanied by other symptoms that indicate the cause of the dermatitis such as:

• Hair loss

• Unusual smell (greasy smell)
• Excessive toe licking
• Hyperpigmentation (skin turning black)
• Scaly skin
• Pustules
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Anal itching
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Cough
• Pneumonia
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Dull fur

Be sure to advise your vet of all of your cat’s symptoms in order to help find a treatment that will work for your pet.

Treatment of Miliary Dermatitis

Because military dermatitis may have a variety of causes, the treatment for your cat’s condition will depend on the exact cause of your cat’s distress. Some treatments your vet might recommend include:

• Food trials using products such as Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d or Natural Balance Venison and Green Pea
• “limited antigen” or “hydrolyzed protein” diets of hypoallergenic foods such as Royal Canin Feline Hypoallergenic HP 23 or Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d
• Avoiding any identified allergen
• Antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine
• Steroids such as Prednisone
• Fatty acids such as Sogeval Actis Omega Essential Fatty Acid Supplement
• Medication to treat for lice and fleas such as Frontline Plus, Adams Plus Flea and Tick Dip, Zodiac Flea and Tick Shampoo, Zodiac Adjustable Eight Month Flea and Tick Collar
• Mite treatment such as Bio-Derm Labs Bio-Groom Flea and Tick Dip, or Revolution
• Fungicides such as Conofite, and Panalog Topical Cream
• Antibiotics such as Cephalexin
• Anti-yeast shampoo such as DVM Pharmaceuticals Malaseb Therapeutic Shampoo
• Anthelmintic (parasite-killing) medications such as Drontal Dewormer

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