Miliary dermatitis is not a specific disease in itself but it is a set of symptoms which can be caused by a vast number of diseases which your cat might incur. These causes include Allergies, Bacterial infections, fungal infections, Yeast infections, parasitic infections of the skin, Hypersensitivity to intestinal parasites, autoimmune diseases, Nutritional disorders, hormonal abnormalities etc.
The dots of miliary dermatitis are multiple small, crusty bumps with redness underneath. The lesions are sometimes limited to specific areas of the body like the base of the tail or the head. In some cases, the lesions can occupy a large portion of the body. The itching in these lesions varies from mild to severe. The cases can worsen as a result of scratching and licking by your pet.
The diagnosis of a miliary dermatitis can be done by an examination of your cat by a vet. There are difficulties in determining the cause of the problem. Sometimes, the location of the lesions is helpful in determining the cause of the problem. Like, if the lesions are at the base of the tail, fleas could be the problem or if the lesions are around the head, there is possibility they could be caused by mites. The veterinarian will give the cat a complete physical and obtain a complete history from you. Your observations are important in finding out the problem. So it is imperative that you not only observe your cat closely but share your knowledge with the vet telling them every detail of your pets behavior so that appropriate treatment be started.
