However, ear mites are rarely seen and may appear similar to an ear infection with severely itchy and painful ears with a possible dark discharge. But, if in doubt, rather be safe and have it checked out by your vet. Antifungal medications which are . Sphynx skin may be prone to yeast infections and they are susceptible to cold and to sunburn if they go outside. If youre up to the rigors of a Sphynxs big personality, the next factor to consider is the cats overall care. Difficulty hearing. In this type of diet, you eliminate various foods from your diet for two to four weeks under the care of a doctor, nutritionist, or dietician. Common ailments present differently in Sphynx cats because of their lack of fur, and someone unfamiliar with the breed might not recognize something as common as ringworm in a Sphynx if they dont already know what it looks like, says Kranz. Smelly ears. (The BLACK one is not labeled Dust Free at all) . 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This is one of the main reasons why a sphynx with healthy skin should be bathed using a fragrance-free, mild veterinary or baby shampoo every 7-10 days (this may vary from one sphynx to the next). The hairlessness of Sphynx cats does not mean that theyre less work than cats with fur. As Kranz noted, Sphynx cats are prone to ear infections, so owners must be diligent about keeping ears clean and removing excess wax. Beer, Malt Liquor, and Hard Ciders. Drawn blood is more expensive, but worth it. Image prepared by Mar Cusid Mas Final Degree Project Faculty of Veterinary Medicine June 2021 at Barcelona University Veterinary Dept. However, antibiotic use or other lifestyle factors can allow candida to grow unchecked in the vagina, in the throat, on the skin, or in the gut. Malassezia dermatitis will resolve with persistence and patience, provided that possible causes for a compromised skin barrier are addressed. Businesses have also made candy products for those with a yeast allergy. Luckily it is easy to spot fleas on your sphynx as there is no hair for them to hide in, and sphynx owners often pick this up quickly. Ahman S, Perrins N, Bond R. Carriage of Malassezia spp. None of the 32 Sphynx had Malassezia species isolated from the ears. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. There are plenty of options for keeping these kitties warm. I was having similar issues with Harry when I stumbled across your post. Fur does much more than keep a cat warm it also protects against physical damage. Along with Malassezia, some of the normal bacteria living on the skin, such as staphylococcus species, may also take advantage of the compromised skin barrier and cause a secondary bacterial infection. Sphynx cats have the same number of hair follicles per skin area as a furry-coated cat does. Its also worth noting that Sphynx cats shouldnt be let outside. Thus, a sphynx is prone to superficial scratches and abrasions, especially if she enjoys playing rough! Does it have any health benefits? I clean my cats paws at least once or twice a week, says Dr. Verrilli. The articles are copyright Michael Broad but the infographics are free to use under a CC license. You will hear lots of opinions about hairless cats and litter. You want a high-quality food, because food affects the amount of oil that a Sphynxs skin produces. This is due to healthy skin naturally resisting overgrowth and infection by these microbes (also called commensal microbes) through mechanisms such as pH, sebum production, and the cells from the immune system that reside within the skin. What is worse, a cat bite or a cat scratch? Yeast infection (vaginal) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic 2-3 times a week and apply external sunscreen if they go outside and for indoor Sphynx cats they should avoid solar exposure i.e., the sun. However, there is no scientific evidence that a yeast-free candida diet helps candidiasis, the name for the condition associated with candida overgrowth. They need regular dental cleanings, and sometimes they need to have all of their teeth extracted, which can be very expensive, Dr. Verrilli says. Sphynx cats prone to developing yeast infections However, in some individuals, especially those with compromised immune systems, Malassezia yeasts can cause skin infections and other diseases. The naked truth: Sphynx and Devon Rex cat breed mutations in KRT71. are commensal organisms, but if yeasts are identified on cytology from suggestive lesions, the infection should be addressed and treated. It's designed to protect your feline's skin from fungus, yeast, ringworms, dandruff, and other infections. A good general rule is that a sphynx with healthy skin must be bathed using a fragrance-free, mild veterinary or baby shampoo every 7-10 days. The high counts of M pachydermatis obtained from the axillae, groins and claw folds of the Sphynx cats exceeded those of healthy Devon Rex cats (DRC), Cornish Rex cats (CRC) and domestic shorthair (DSH) cats; axillary populations were comparable to those of seborrheic DRC. When your Sphynx has problems with fungal infections or dehydrated skin, you can try MiconaHex +Triz Shampoo for a soothing, medicated bath. We also participate in other affiliate programs which provide us the opportunity to earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information on the common skin conditions of Sphynx cats, please have a look at this article on the topic. The yeast can spread across the body and can cause pain. Upper Respiratory Infection in a Cat: Is It Serious? | Hill's Pet link to What To Do With Silkie Cockerels: 8 Ways to Manage Unwanted Cockerels, link to Why Do Sugar Gliders Smell Bad, And What You Can Do About It. Some sphynx follicles only produce fine peach fuzz-like hairs, and other follicles produce abnormal hair shafts that are so fine and small that they can only be viewed under a microscope. Diabetes is probably the most common endocrine disorder associated with skin infections in cats. To prevent these problems, it's important to keep your Sphynx's eyes clean and free of debris. You can speak to your vet about the options for your Sphynx. Honestly, the importance of a good fresh source of water for your Sphynx cat cannot be stressed enough. Like most other animals and humans, Sphynx cats can get ringworm; however, sphynx cats are not more susceptible to getting ringworm than other cat breeds. Seven sites on the body of each cat were tested. Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Yeasts, as single-cell organisms, reproduce through budding, which means that it is exceptionally easy for yeast to multiply at an exponential rate. ", Food Allergy Research & Education: "Food Elimination Diet. Diet plays a HUGE role in the oiliness you see mentioned so often. Allergies to cats are usually caused by an allergen in feline saliva. Your vet will need to do blood tests if an endocrine disease is suspected. Kombucha is a fermented beverage made from sugar, tea, yeast, and bacteria. I know this post is old, but I'm wondering if any of you have had any luck with curing the yeast infections since? The skin may be prone to yeast infections and obviously the cats are susceptible to cold and to sunburn if they go outside. There are also cat bedsthat can keep cats warm, like a cat heated bedor a cat covered bed. This is because sphynx cats hair follicles do not produce normal keratin (the protein that hair consists of), and they, therefore, have very fine or rudimentary hairs. Those with a more severe allergy may need to avoid all alcohol. A substantial amount of comedones is typically a symptom of an endocrine or skin barrier disorder, and vet advice should be sought. Sharkey, L., Radin, M., and Seelig, D., 2020. Food: All of our cats and kittens are on100% RAW due to continued education of its benefits to our babies and education of the truth about packaged pet foods. Therefore, it is an excellent general rule to aim to feed your sphynx the best quality, minimally processed food from a reputable and quality-checked pet food manufacturer. Provided that the scratch is not total skin thickness, your cat should be fine with daily wound cleaning with saline or an antiseptic and perhaps a wound ointment such as Silver Honey. If they want something, theyll let you know, says Dr. Verrilli. I would have blood drawn have them test for anything your baby could be allergic to. Both Dr. Verrilli and Kranz mention that the Sphynx cat breed is prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. Because it will prevent your Sphynx cat from developing urinary tract infections, as well as remove bacteria, stray hair, and debris from the water. The naked truth: Sphynx and Devon Rex cat breed mutations in KRT71. In rare cases, it can also affect internal organs. Almost all that flaky skin is gone, but shaking his paws is still there. They commonly also have short hairs on their face, ears, and feet that have a velvet or suede-like feel. Yeast or Malassezia is one of the most common causes of an ear infection in sphynx cats. Click this link to see it (one page PDF file). Around $27 with free shipping; including cleaning brushes and filters. His skin is like a baby's bottom-but softer!! And, while a kitten may not have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, it can develop as the cat gets older. Do not apply human sunblock to your sphynx, as some ingredients in the sunblock may be toxic. ", National Institute of Health National Library of Medicine: "Mold and yeast flora in fresh berries, grapes, and citrus fruits.". Sphynx cats are less haired than other cats, making them prone to ear infections.