Hair loss, scabs and no fleas?!

[Leanne0702]

I am at a loss for what is happening to one of my cats.  A little history.. Kodiak is a 12 year old all black domestic female cat.  She has always been an indoor cat for as long as we've had her and that's about 11 years now.  We moved over 2 years ago and she has adjusted beautifully.  She has always been heathly.  The thing that is troubling me lately is that right at the base of her back and tail she going bald and small scabs are forming.  She had this problem a couple months ago and I treated it with topical bendryl which worked beautifully and it went away and the hair grew back.  This time it's worse.  The bald spot is bigger and she has one large wound and then bunches of small little scabs.  I can also randomly feel scabs trailing up her spine but no balding around those.  She's always been an obsessive groomer but she's never made herself bald so I know that's not the problem.  She has absolutely no signs of fleas and with a black cat we took extra precautions to look for them.  It was a very long examination and very thorough.  Also, I have a 9 year old male cat whom is very very close with Kodiak and he has no problems whatsoever, so I know if it were fleas he would be having a problem as well.  Both cats are fixed and have been since before we got them (they were rescues).  We have 2 dogs as well but they only go outside to use the bathroom and they get groomed and dipped regularly.  I'm beside myself confused.  Also lately Kodiak has been limping which might be a seperate issue all together but just trying to give as many symptoms as possible.  She doesn't seem to bother with the bald spots or scabs but she does like them rubbed (scratched but we don't do that) but at the same time it's tender cause she'll nip at you after awhile, and she's never nipped or bite anyone in the 11 years we've had her.. .  If anyone can help I would appreciate it.  I was going to take a picture but she's black haired and skinned and so it's hard to see in a picture but if i can get a good shot i will post it.

[gizziegizard]

hi. I have been reading the comments from opus88 and angelfire 09.   I noticed a couple little scabs on my cat below the mouth on the chin. kept an eye on them - they went away and now they are gone. I got a picture.  how do I post.  I would like to know if it is ring worm.      about 3-4 months ago. my cat had a worm .  it was coming out of her bottom.  I bought over the counter worm medicine from walmart.  used it once.     and then 3 weeks later - repeated the medicine but im not sure is she ate all the food I put the medicine in.  now those scabs are are back.. I deeply concerned.
what should I do?  by another worm medicine.  what kind and where  ?   vetsmart said that they would treat the cat for a $3.00 fee.   what do you suggest
.
Gizzie

[opus88]

hi....this has to be a quick reply for now, I'm in a mad rush....this is definite signs of FOOD allergies...I assume you are feeding dry food....get some good quality can food, NO grain. its the additives/preservatives and the grains in these dry foods that cats are very allergic too. save you tons on Vet bills!!! and stop the steroids...will lead to diabetes and other health problems
YOU DO not NEED TO FEED A HYPOALLERGENIC DIET as you Vet will suggest, very expensive and cats don't like...just get a good quality can food with NO grains...

read this on how to transition

http://www.catinfo.org
/docs/Tips%20for%20Transitioning%20PDF%201-14-11.pdf

[bfel]

I have three cats theyare all sisters.  Two of them are having a problem.  One has lost all the hair on her tummy and  licks constantly.  She also has some bald spots in different areas.   She does not have fleas and has been given a steriod shot.  The other cat has these scabs up her back and is licking them too.   She has alittle hair loss on tummy but not much?  The third one nothing at all!  They all eat the same food, except the one with no problems does not ear Iams dry food for the mature cat.  I changed them to mature not too long ago.   Could there be something lacking in the dry or causing this?  The Vet is ordering special food and we will do a test for food allergy once it comes in.

[opus88]

great post FM....could you start a new thread on this so everyone see's title it Natural Flea Treatment...don't want this to be hidden away in an old thread..
thx:)

[FurballsMom]

Some additional steps you can take are for the home and not more stuff to bathe or put on the animals.  I would suggest doing a non-toxic flea removal thorough search.  I did this for myself a few years ago when I suddenly had a flea infestation with an indoor only cat.  So, I learned a lot about the flea cycle and why we got infested.  Thankfully, I don't have to do battle with the outside on the property of the apartment complex I live in, but I learned that a good thing to do would be to add nematodes (buy at a plant nursery) to the soil in the areas in the yard where there is a lot of shade.  Your pets like the same places fleas like in the spring and summer when the flea issues are the worst.  In those shady places, the soil is more likely to stay damp.  That's where fleas hang around until there is a host (your pet) to jump on.  Nematodes eat fleas.

Follow directions you find online for using diatomaceous earth in the home.  Keep kids and pets off of the carpet for the amount of time required--usually two hours.  Diatomaceous earth dessicates fleas at all four stages.  Place diatomaceous earth in places under furniture and in crevices and not just on the carpet.  Fleas love crevices.  Buy some dust masks when you buy the diatomaceous earth.  While the weather is decent enough to keep the pets outside while applying the diatomaceous earth will help.  Diatomaceous earth is natural and it is safe, but it's very fine particulate, so you don't want to breathe it yourself or have your pets breathing it.  They're closer to the ground, too.  But, the awesome part is that once you vacuum the diatomaceous earth back off of the carpeting and anywhere else where your pets go, there is no need to worry about the safety of your pets.  Do make sure you wash ALL your pet bedding in hot water, as you would regardless of which flea removal method you choose to use.  Wash your own bedding, too, if your pets sleep with you.  I would also place some diatomaceous earth between the mattress and box springs.  You shouldn't have to vacuum it back out until the next time you flip your mattress unless you find it too dusty, but do wait at least two hours before you do.  The added bonus here is that diatomaceous earth is great for all insects (and spiders), so it should help with bed bugs, too.

So, more is involved than just the inside of the house.  If you take care of the places where the fleas would be on the outside of the house on your own property, that should help you out immensely.

Since my own cat is an indoor only cat, once I got rid of the fleas in the apartment that one time, we haven't had any more problems with fleas.  So, you absolutely need to take care of the fleas in the yard.  I would look for some other ideas besides the nematodes for getting rid of fleas in your yard.  The more you can do to keep them off the pets and out of the house, the better off all of you will be.

[MicheleRD]

Thank you.  Just gave the cats and dogs a Dawn bath and did find 8 fleas on the black chihuahua.  Will treat at Vet office with flea drops and maybe antihistamines.  Thanks,
Michele