by A Reader

QUESTION

I noticed about 2 weeks ago that my cat had what felt like a raised lesion on his skin. When I shifted through his fur, I noticed dry looking skin in just one area almost in a line. It looks like it is causing the fur in that area to raise from the skin?

There is a lot of dandruff noted in the area which is why I assumed it was some type of dry skin. He is not irritated by it and does not scratch at the spot. There is no discharge coming from the spot and it does not look inflammed or irrtitated.

The area that feels raised is when it looks like the fur is lifting, but again it looks like it feels that way because of all the dry skin. I have been looking on the internet but am unable to find anything similar to this. Any ideas?



ANSWER

I have many ideas, but honestly I do not feel comfortable mentioning any of them when I feel like I don't really understand what you are describing. I've worked with cats my entire life and I've been in feline only practice for 18 years. I rarely these days run into anything I haven't seen before. I guess I need more information and a picture would be great!

The things I would like to know are

(1) AGE
(2) INDOOR OR OUTDOOR
(3) WHERE ON HIS BODY IS THIS LESION?
(4) IS HE OVERWEIGHT?

Dry skin shouldn't make the area feel raised. Does it truly feel raised? How large of an area? Is he completely healthy otherwise?

I'd be happy to give this more consideration if you write back and answer my questions. Thank you for writing,
Dr. Neely