scabs on her spine

[emmatwinkleneedham]

Hi,
I have a 16month old ragdoll called Nieve and I have just noticed tiny little scabs running up her spine.... most of them collected at the base of her spine where her tail starts, she has none anywhere else. I have another cat and a dog that get Frontlined along with nieve every 3month. I use indorex flea spray in my home every 10month (it lasts 12month) and my cats are indoor cats. I read on here about allergies to fleas but she has had fleas before (when we got her) and she did not have a reaction then. She's been completely clean for over a year now so I'm pretty sure it's not fleas. I've also seen ringworm on a cat and it's not this either. I'm worried about her as she has been casting A LOT lately and wonder if it could be a skin condition..... any help please?? THANKS in advance

[CML2014]

Hi Emma,

Maybe your kit is allergic to Frontline and the flea sprays themselves. It could also be Stud Tail--yes we girls can get that also. If it is concentrated at the tail and it is greasy looking brownish , it could just be that.

Either way a check-up at the vet is probably needed. The vet will take skin scrapings to find the source.

In the meantime , if she is itching, ask your vet for some suggestions on a antihistamine. I give mine Chlor-Trimatron. But you need to work with your vet with this.

Best of Luck,
CML.

[emmatwinkleneedham]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I tested her for fleas and she hasn't got any one tested my other cat and dog too and found none..... I'm going treat the house again just invaded there has been an odd one or two lerking about. She hasn't been over grooming no and she is fine when we touch the areas that are scanned. I'm hoping it's maybe just dry skin or something xx

[LorraineP]

I agree with Annie, it certainly sounds like a flea allergy.  But if you are certain she does not have fleas, have you noticed her scratching or biting herself there, or twitching or not liking you stroking her?  If so, it could be a condition called hyperaesthesia, which one of my cats has.  It makes them very uncomfortable and in extreme cases they can damage themselves quite badly by chewing and biting themselves.  But it is easily controlled with meds - my cat has a tiny dose of gabapentin every day and has been so much happier since then.

[AnnieBrooke]

It does sound like allergies to fleas.  Especially if she had them early in life, she could have developed an allergic reaction by now that she didn't have before.  Try getting a (super fine-toothed) flea comb at the pet store and see if you can comb some out of her.  

After you do that test, take Nieve to the vet.  If you found fleas, ask first about the fleas and double-check the treatment that you have been giving, and find out what treatment for fleas the vet recommends, and then also ask about treating her irritated skin once you get the fleas out of the environment.  If you didn't find fleas, see what the vet thinks it is.