Page 1128 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1120 PART 13 CAT WITH SKIN PROBLEMS

Purulent discharge occurs when the burnt area Clinical signs
becomes secondarily infected.
Frostbite typically affects the tips of the ears and the
digits, areas that are not well insulated.
Treatment
Whilst frozen, the skin appears pale and cool to touch,
Silver sulfadiazine cream or aloe vera gel applied and has decreased sensation.
under a non-adherent dressing are excellent topical
After thawing, there may be mild erythema, edema
treatments for burns.
and pain.
Burn healing is slow, taking weeks to months of treat-
In severe cases, the skin becomes necrotic and sloughs.
ment.
Very extensive or deep burns may heal with scarring
that interferes with function, necessitating reconstruc-
Treatment
tive surgical procedures.
Rapidly thaw frozen area by the gentle application of
warm (42–44˚C) water.
DECLAWING COMPLICATIONS
Handle tissues gently to prevent further damage and
Classical signs pain.

● Claw deformity or keratinaceous growths Aloe vera gel applied topically helps to prevent vaso-
at the end of the digits. constriction and tissue hypoxia.
● Swollen ends of digits and draining tracts.
Any resulting necrotic areas may need surgical debrid-
ing.
Clinical signs
Antibiotics may be needed to control secondary infec-
Regrowth of claws may result from persistent germi- tion, in cases where there is extensive tissue damage.
native epithelium after incomplete removal during
declawing.
Regrowth can vary from deformed claws to keratina-
FOREIGN BODIES
ceous foreign bodies at the ends of the digits.
Swollen ends of digits and draining tracts may develop. Classical signs
● Nodules, abscess and draining tracts.
Diagnosis
A history of a declawing procedure having been per-
formed.
Clinical signs
Excisional biopsy of deformed ends of the digits is
Objects such as plant awns, thorns can become
diagnostic and curative.
embedded in the interdigital space. This is much rarer
in cats than in dogs.
FROSTBITE
Nodules, abscesses and draining tracts result.
Classical signs
● Frozen skin is pale and cool to the touch.
● Mild erythema, edema and pain after Treatment
thawing. Surgical debridement and removal of foreign body.
● Necrosis and sloughing in severe cases.
Use antibiotics if secondary infection develops.