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Feline Dermatology pp 213–249Cite as

Bacterial Diseases

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Abstract

Accurate diagnosis of feline bacterial skin diseases is important for both patient well-being and appropriate use of antibiotics in times of increasing antimicrobial resistance. This chapter reviews knowledge of clinical lesions and historical features associated with feline bacterial infections, skin diagnostics relevant to efficient and accurate diagnosis, and current treatment recommendations. Deep infections including nocardiosis and mycobacteriosis (Chapter, Mycobacterial Diseases) are well-reported, and although accurate diagnosis is important, and treatment may be lengthy and challenging, they do occur only rarely. In contrast, superficial bacterial pyoderma (SBP) is a more common feline presentation that may be under-recognised, most typically complicating underlying allergic skin disease, but also associated with a range of underlying diseases and factors. SBP is reviewed in this chapter, along with deeper infections including deep bacterial pyoderma, cellulitis and wound abscessation, dermatophilosis, necrotizing fasciitis and environmental saprophytic bacterial infections including nocardiosis. Confirmation of bacterial skin disease in cats is readily achievable in a general practice setting. Cytology is often the most valuable tool, used in conjunction with clues from the history and physical examination and supplemented with skin surface or tissue culture and/or histopathology when indicated. Cytology methods relevant to bacterial infections in the cat are detailed in this chapter. Treatment principles are also discussed, including the potential role of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in feline pyoderma, with a focus on current worldwide recommendations that may supersede some outdated clinic protocols.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Linda Jean Vogelnest

  2. Small Animal Specialist Hospital, North Ryde, NSW, Australia

    Linda Jean Vogelnest

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  1. Linda Jean Vogelnest
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Correspondence to Linda Jean Vogelnest .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Peveragno, Italy

    Chiara Noli

  2. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Legnano, Italy

    Silvia Colombo

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Vogelnest, L.J. (2020). Bacterial Diseases. In: Noli, C., Colombo, S. (eds) Feline Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29836-4_11

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