Under this title the various superficial, inflammatory conditions of the skin are included; in fact, erythema constitutes the preliminary stage of most skin troubles, although the owner may not notice that the skin is inflamed, unless the cat happens to be a white one. In dark-coloured and long-haired cats the usual signs of skin inflammation are generally obscure.

Any part of the skin may be affected, but round about the nose, the face and ears, are common situations for erythema to make its appearance.

It is hardly likely that an amateur will be able to distinguish erythema from mange, which, of course, is contagious, and arises from parasitical causes. As a precautionary measure, it is advisable, if there are other cats upon the premises, to isolate the affected animal.

Burns and Scalds both produce a variable degree of erythema, and the skin should be dressed with a cream composed of equal parts of chalk and lime water, containing the addition of a little camphor.

Treatment Of Erythema

Dress the bare places with a little zinc cream, made by adding a couple of drachms of oxide of zinc to every 2 ounces of lime water, but black wash is a very good remedy for this and allied diseases. Any chemist will dispense this lotion.

For smoothed-haired cats, there is nothing better than equal parts of boracic acid ointment and zinc ointment, to every 2 ounces of which 20 drops of oil of tar has been added.

It is generally advisable to give half a teaspoon-ful of liquid extract of sacred bark, say twice a fortnight, or, better still, a little liver pill about once a week.

Feed on meat - either raw or cooked.