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Feline Idiopathic Seborrhea

Persian cats are known to inherit a disorder called idiopathic seborrhea. This primary skin disease leads to overproduction of an oily, waxy substance by the skin glands, which clumps in the fur and causes a bad smell.

Though often seen in Persians, seborrhea can affect various breeds of cat and typically in the same way -- the skin becomes red and irritated, which leads to scratching and further cellular damage.

Symptoms and Types

There are two common forms of seborrhea: seborrhea sicca, in which the skin becomes more dry and flaky; and seborrhea oleosa, in which the skin becomes more oily. Most animals with inherited seborrhea have a combination of the two forms.

Seborrhea in cats tends to affect the skin along the back and around the eyes and ears. It also causes irritation in those areas where the skin folds, such as in the armpits; on the underside; around legs; and on the face, feet, and neck.

Causes

In the primary (also called idiopathic, or unknown) form of the inherited disease, the cause of seborrhea is unknown. In the case of a secondary seborrhea, the cause may be due to an underlying problem, which can include:

• Parasites
• Fungal infections
• Allergies
• Dietary problems
• Endocrine disorders
• Obesity

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will do a physical examination and check your cat for any disease that may cause a secondary seborrhea. Tests that may be used include:

• Chemistry panel
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Hormone analysis
• Skin scraping
• Bacterial culture
• Fungal culture
• Skin biopsy

Once every other potential cause of the condition is ruled out, a diagnosis of primary idiopathic seborrhea can be made. If your cat is a Persian, the vet will have an even easier time making the diagnosis, as they are prone to idiopathic seborrhea.