The study conducted on the main four domestic breeds of cats in Basrah_ Iraq. The present study include two hindered animals of both sexes with different ages, colors, weights and sizes were studied clinically in Basrah veterinary hospital and the private veterinary clinics in Basrah. The study extended from October 2022 to March 2023 during the winter season. Clinical signs were reported carefully, and the initial diagnosis of skin diseases was confirmed by apparent lesions on the skin, such as desquamation, apparent ulcers, a change in skin color, or hair loss. Then; skin samples of the cases were collected for laboratory diagnosis in veterinary medicine college ̸ Basrah University and Basrah veterinary hospital laboratories to confirmed diagnosis.

All two hundred samples were checked under direct examination by microscope by 10X, And 40 X to identification of skin disease¢s causes such as fungi, bacteria, and parasite or any other causes such as nutritional causes and skin sensitivity.

The two hindered sample cases were divided according to cases in Basrah veterinary hospital and Basrah private clinic: 60 Cases fungal infection, 40 cases scabies, 10 case alopecia, 50 cases of bacterial infection and 40 cases of wound as illustrated in Table (1). There were no significant changes in body temperatures,  heart and respiratory rats therefore it is ignored in the present study.

Fungal Infection: According to samples received from Basrah veterinary hospital and Basrah private clinic 60 cases which form 30% show the classic appearance of a round red ring that strikes a cat which give to fungal infection scientific name Feline Ringworm, where the lesions take close characteristic signs such as circle area of hair loss, broken and stubbly hair scaling skin, changes in hair or skin color, dermatitis in severe cases, excessive grooming, scratching, infected nail beds and sometime dandruff.   

The common site of infection in the ears, mouth, nose respectively may be in other site such as nose, face, and front legs. The figures 1, and 2 show the lesion in some animals undergo of fungal infection.

Scabies Infection: Forty cases which form 20% of the total reported cases were undergo from scabies infection with appear a redness, rash and severe itching associated with blood from the skin and hair loss in a large way and may be crusted on the edges of the infection area especially the ear and ear edges. The laboratory examination revealed to the Notoedric cat (Feline Scabies) infection, in addition to the occurrence of large ulceration in the skin and a rise in temperature. The common site of infection in all body part, nose and mouth this figure show infection received from hospital and private clinic figure (3) show these infections.

Alopecia: According to the reported cases; 10 affected animals from Basrah private clinic which appear a severe hair loses in some body part when developed case which appear partial or complete alopecia which occur due to systemic disease or skin sensitivity or uncleaned and dirty places in Figure (4), there cases reported 5% of studied cases. 

Bacterial Infection: Fifty cases which cause dermatitis which appear a Scratching, red papules bump on the skin, scaly patches, itchiness, especially around the face and feet, frequent head shacking, thick, dark patches of skin, Patches of hair loss. The Common site of infection in head and back as in figure (5) where show severe dermatitis with bacterial infection confirmed by laboratories in Basrah veterinary hospital, these cases represented about 25% of total studied cases.

Wounds: Forty cases which caused by injures that appear a scratching, bleeding and frequent head shacking. The Common site of infection in all body part, these cases formed about 20% of total studied cases.

Figures & Tables

Discussion

The study pointed high significant infection with fungal, scabies, alopecia, bacterial and wounds in the white color cats more than the others because it is represented the better color choice for the families then the orange and grey colors while the black color is the less in number of domestic cats. Moreover, the study reported the same results in the Persian breed which known locally as (Sherazin) more than the others due to the same reasons and the Himalayan breed occupied the second order then the Scottish and British breeds, all breeds can affect with the infections with different levels as explained in the results. Also, in all study subjects the females show the high percentage of infections because it more in numbers than males.

The age of infection ranged between 6 to 12 months, that age represent the vital age for cats to play and explorer the environment therefore it will be with direct contact to the contamination and the source of infections beside the incomplete immune system compared to the aged cats. This is corresponding with [13].

The season of infections play an important role in the infection, the study occurs in autumn and winter which are the period of study, where the moderate temperature the year in Basrah with low temperatures in some days of late December and January, with moist weather that can be regards as predisposing factor to induce these infections in addition the weather changes play very important role in the cleanliness of cat’s body because the owners avoid pathing their pets fearing of the illnesses that prepare for skin infection or changes. These results resample to that pointed by [14].

Cat ringworm often manifests as a regular, circular alopecia accompanied by hair breaking, desquamation, and occasionally an erythematous perimeter and central healing. As stated by some patients exhibit erythema, pruritus, exudation, crusts, and peculiar, big alopecic [15]. he signs mainly reported in in ears and mouth it may be due the moist skin in this parts that is necessary fungal life.

One or more mite species, with varying incidence and toxicity, can cause scabies, a skin condition that is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or contaminated settings. When an animal is attacked, it will become itchy, which will lower its body condition and result in financial losses. The nose has the highest infection rate because it the most organ uses with contact with infection these results agree with [16].

Lesions from dermatophytosis in cats are more pleomorphic. One or more partial alopecia patches with scaling and crusting, usually on the head or forelimbs, are considered classic lesions. Hyperpigmented lesions are possible [17]. Additionally, dermatophytosis can cause isolated, itchy lesions that resemble eosinophilic plaques or lesions that mimic miliary dermatitis. Given that diseased hairs are prone to breakage, long-haired cats may complain of having a poor hair coat or excessive shedding [18]. Although Persian and Himalayan cats are less likely to get kerions, they can develop subcutaneous nodular lesions known as dermatophytic pseudomycetoma, which are caused by dermatophytes. These lesions are frequently draining, consolidating nodules or exudative lesions. These lesions may be accompanied with visible tissue grains. Additionally, dermatophytic pseudomycetoma systemic lesions have been [19].

Alopecia is one of the most important lesion affected animals especially on the back and it is reported in all parts of the body as partial or complete lesion; these lesions may occur due to the bad nutrition or minerals deficiency such as Zink or Cupper deficiency and multivitamin deficiency such as Vitamin E and A deficiency, moreover it occur secondary to other skin lesions for example: allergy, pruritus, dermatosis and finally external parasitic invasion this explained by [20].

Erythema is a primary lesion of cats, pruritus and inflammation can result in self-induced alopecia, excoriation and secondary infections with papules, pustules and crusts [2]. Axillae, abdomen, distal extremities, inner pinnae and periocular, perioral and perianal regions are commonly affected [2]. Otitis externa is present in half of cats. Predilection sites differ from breed to breed but head is more affected as explained by  [21].

The environment for regulated bacterial development is the skin. Numerous investigators have documented the intricate relationship between cutaneous infection and ambient and local variables, host immunity, organism adhesion, and virulence. Gram-positive bacteria that are present in the home include Corynebacterium sp., Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus. Skin pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are well-known. Bacteria must be able to stick to, develop on, and infiltrate the host in order for them to be considered pathogenic. Many virulence genes in bacteria enable them to flourish in these exclusive habitats. The infections of the skin that are brought on by S. aureus and S. pyogenes are impetigo and ecthyma. Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and erysipelas are examples of dermal infections. Furunculosis, carbunculosis, and folliculitis are all associated with the pilosebaceous unit. Additionally, the toxins that S. aureus and S. pyogenes produce [22].

Wound due to fighting and bad grooming or sequala of other dermatological infection with untreated cases such as a layer of crusts, dermatitis also it may be occurred due to excessive itching and pruritis in some cases.

Fungal infection is main infections in cats. Complete alopecia is less infection. Most susceptible site of skin disease infection in head. 

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. 

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: HHNA, HAN, ZAS, BGG

Data curation:  HHNA, HAN, ZAS

Investigation: HHNA, BGG

Methodology: HHNA, HAN, BGG

Project administration: HHNA, HAN

Supervision: HHNA, HAN

Writing Original draft: HHNA

Writing-review & editing: HHNA, HAN

Hassanin H. N. Alautaish (HHNA), Hussein Ali. Naji (HAN), Zainab AbudalHussein Saud (ZAS), Baneen Ghanim Ghalib (BGG)

References