The skin is the largest organ in a cat’s body, comprising up to 25% of its body weight. It provides a protective barrier against the environment and regulates body temperature, among other important functions.
The skin is composed of the epidermis (the top layer that provides protection), the dermis (the supportive layer underneath the dermis that provides nourishment to the epidermis), the subcutis (the innermost layer that contains protective and insulating muscles and fat), and various appendages. The appendages include claws, sebaceous glands that lubricate the skin and hair, and tiny muscles called arrector pili that can make the hair stand on end.
Common signs of skin disease in cats include:
- Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing of the fur,
- Redness and swelling of the skin,
- Loss of fur,
- Scabby, scaly, or flaky skin, and
- Swellings or bumps on the skin.
No matter what the specific cause, cats with skin disease often suffer from dermatitis, or skin inflammation. This inflammation may result from the process that starts the skin disease, as in the case of some food allergies that cause inflamed skin, or it may be the result of a cat scratching or biting itself in response to irritation stemming from the disease. In either case, inflammation promotes itchiness, and the resulting scratching can cause further skin damage, which can start a vicious cycle of inflammation, skin damage, and more inflammation. This makes controlling the itchiness of skin disease an important treatment goal for many cats with skin disease.
How will light therapy help treat skin conditions in cats?
Photizo Vetcare’s healing power will help to:
- Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is an essential protein used to repair damaged tissue. It is the most common protein found in the body. It has been cited that by increasing collagen production, less scar tissue is formed at the damaged site.
- Increase circulation almost immediately. By helping to generate an increase in blood flow to the treatment areas the light therapy normalises and heals injured cells, while at the same time reducing itchiness. By increasing blood flow more oxygen and nutrients are transported to the affected area, and waste products taken away.
- Reduce oedema (swelling). Oedema has two components, liquid and protein. Researchers have shown that the lymph diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be nearly doubled with the use of light therapy. This means that both parts of oedema can be eliminated at a much faster rate to relieve the appearance of swelling.
- Stimulate the release of endorphins which are the body’s own pain-fighting
- Stimulate the production of phagocyte cells which effectively scavenge the dead or degenerated cells. This is an important in fighting the infection process. Infection elimination must occur before the healing process can take place. Fibroblasts are found in the connective tissue and can form underlying layers of collagen. Light also stimulates fibroblastic activities that help in the repair process.
