Edited by: Ingrid King. Last updated: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Written by Rowyn Rose, Science Communications Specialist at Basepaws
Do you have an itchy cat or do you know someone else who does? Many itchy cats suffer from an increasingly common feline skin condition called dermatitis.
Basepaws is a pet genetics company that collaborates with cat parents like you on research that helps cats live happier, healthier lives. They are currently studying two types of feline dermatitis: atopic dermatitis And food allergy dermatitis. If your cat suffers from any of these skin conditions, their DNA could help improve the lives of many other cats who may suffer from these conditions.
Dermatitis and food allergies in cats
Dermatitis is a general term for any type of skin inflammation. Feline atopic dermatitis, also called non-chip/non-food allergic dermatitis, is the second most common allergy in cats after flea allergy dermatitis. It is an uncomfortable and painful condition that affects 12.5% of all cats.
Feline food allergies follow closely in third place. They can develop at any age, and it’s still unclear why some cats develop food allergies while others don’t.
Signs of Dermatitis in Cats
Cats with dermatitis typically exhibit the following:
- Abnormal itching (pruritus)
- Over-grooming
- Hair loss, scabs, sores, lesions
The problem is that these signs are linked to both atopic dermatitis and food allergy dermatitis. This makes it very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis and implement targeted treatments that give cats the relief they need. Basepaws wants to change that and needs your and your cat’s help!
A new future for the diagnosis of dermatitis in cats
Currently, no test exists that can reliably diagnose these two conditions. Basepaws is working on creating a new oral swab test that could reliably distinguish between atopic or food allergic dermatitis, and they have already done preliminary research that shows how the state of the feline oral microbiome can be a powerful indicator. to find out if a cat has one or the other.
The feline oral microbiome is a community of microbial organisms, or microbes, that reside in the mouth. These microbes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and possibly other microorganisms that have yet to be categorized. It turns out that the types and amounts of certain microbes provide valuable information about a the cat’s risk of actually having a disease.
How you and your cat can help
You and your cat can be part of this groundbreaking research. If your cat has a veterinarian confirmed diagnosis of atopic or food allergic dermatitis, please click on the applicable link(s) below to be considered for their research programs:
You can help advance scientific discoveries that could improve the lives of cats with dermatitis and many other common feline health conditions, all with just 5 seconds of swab in your cat’s mouth! You can also learn about other Basepaws citizen science research programs that aim to unravel the mysteries of the feline oral microbiome and better understand the genetics associated with common feline diseases.
Your cat can make a difference in the lives of many other cats and their humans!
Photo credits: Shutterstock, provided by Basepaws
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital director, and veterinary journalist with a passion for cats.