A hot spot can occur on almost any part of the body but commonly on the head, tail, thigh, or neck, in cats.
It is generally unpleasant or painful-looking, especially if it reaches a stage where it is oozing fluid and the surrounding area has lost its hair.
There are several possible causes for hot spots in cats. Many also cause hot spots in dogs. Here are the main ones, which account for most cases.
Allergies are usually noticed through runny eyes, sneezing, scratching, and licking.
A more general skin ailment, eczema, is caused by any of the other triggers mentioned here, like spores, pollen, contact with nylon or wool, or even dust.
If your cat’s scratching and infections seem seasonal, try to determine if it correlates with a bug breeding season. Check to see if your environment has signs of ear mites or skin mites.
Besides skin infections, seemingly unrelated ear infections may also lead to scratching, especially around the ears.
Cats are primarily meat-eaters, and a starch-heavy diet can lead to issues like dehydration, urinary tract infections, and, yes, skin issues.
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