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Avatar universal

Hair loss, scabs and no fleas?!

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.
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874521 tn?1424116797
Hi welcome but sorry for Molly's troubles. Itching is usually always due to an allergy, either to the grains or some additive in what she's eating or to some scent or new product you have in your home. A diet of chicken based protein can often become an allergen too.even the litter she uses, she can develop allergies even to something she has eaten or used for a long time. I can send you more info if you like
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hello all,  I have had cats, dogs, horses all of my life and never had the itching and scratching that has been occurring with my cat and dog now. Even before the meds that kill all fleas, my indoor/outdoor animals had no itching issues that are occurring now. Found stray kitten with fleas and raised her without meds; just bathing and manual flea removal, no problems with itching. keep her inside since she is so tiny even as an adult.Had her spade. Less than 5 days from coming back from overnight at vet  bumps then scabs started in areas hard to scratch. Scratches and licks like crazy now. Have always  fed my animals regular dry animal food.

2 years earlier, my SPCA dog had to go to vet and stay overnight. She had no skin sensitivity but became an obsessive scratcher.  Other cat had been to vet but never stayed overnight no scabs no itching.  

Did not equate overnight vet visit potential until friend said that all vets give a strong med. to animals before surgery to kill parasites and prevent spread of any harmful bacteria and fungi.

Will not make assumptions on such narrow database of 3 animals but does anyone notice any correlation?

I have never seen such skin sensitivity occur in adult mixed breed animals. Gave my dog comfortis and within 8 hrs chewed tail raw. Gave it again next month same effect.

Can these meds be making skin hypersensitive?

FYI: If your pet is better off with you than being kept in a cage or on the streets, do not feel guilty that you do not have money to go to vet and most vets do not allow payment plans unless they know you for years. Adoption is not always quick or inevitable. Thank you for keeping one less stray off the street.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I have been wondering about all the sensitivity to fleas in our house. We have 10 cats and at least 4 of them have the scratching and scabbing around the neck.  We haven’t had any overnight vet visits but I have had pets all my life and never have I seen the amount of skin problems from allergens than in the last 5 years or so.  Most of the cats that have the problems were strays and probably related in some way or the other.  It may be something passed down because my other unrelated cats seem to be fine, thank the Lord!  Wish some vet could figure this out and help all these little tormented kitties!
My vet says that some cat foods are making the cats sensitive, due to the high-grain diets being fed to the animals that are being made into cat foods. It sounded far-fetched to me, but our new kitten is definitely sensitive to good old Friskies and Meow Mix and not sensitive when I spring the big bucks on cat foods without additives and fillers. That might be why you are seeing more flea sensitivity, your cats might just be more sensitive overall due to their diet.

For fleas, and frankly that sounds like what it is, I would put every animal in the house on a once-a-month treatment that you buy from the vet. Nothing over the counter, people have killed their pets by dosing them with Advantage. My vet used to sell us Frontline, now he recommends Revolution. But the main thing is, not only will it kill the fleas on the cat, but the warm little kitties pull the fleas out of the environment, they bite they die. So it cleans up your overall problem.
Avatar universal
Is anyone a Moderator here, or "in charge" in any way? I had a question, but reading a lot of these posts, oh my gosh.

I am seeing so many people who say "I love my cat so much but I can't afford to take them to the vet". I KEEP seeing this, on Yahoo Questions, all kinds of forums, and while I am sad for these people..... I want to gently but *seriously* remind everyone who is thinking about bringing a cat into your home, PLEASE first think of these two things:

1) Cats now live up to 18 and even 20 years. Can I commit fully to this cat's care for that long?

2) Am I willing and *able* (financially, have a way to get there, etc) to take this cat to the veterinarian for care when they need it?

If you cannot honestly answer "yes" to these questions... please do not adopt a cat. They are not just here for us humans, although they do make our lives infinitely better. I am a home-bound person too and mine save my life and sanity so often.

People here are trying things that are not safe and this is heart breaking! ATHLETE'S FOOT SPRAY?? No, that is dangerous and could be so harmful !!   Please take your kitties to a vet. There are programs for poor people like me where you can do spay/neuter at a very low price and most vets will let you do a payment plan for a bill. The most expensive is not necessarily the best but some times we do get what we pay for.

So please, if you are here and haven't yet adopted a cat, be sure that you can commit to kitty's care. The internet is filled with help, but scary wrong stuff too. And they are worth all our care & love!!
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1 Comments
I just want to say that we adopted our cat nearly four years ago, before we had kids. My husband recently lost his job and we have been without any income for almost two months. Our credit cards are all charged up and we truly cannot afford to take our cat to the vet. I'm going to basically have to beg the vet to do a payment plan or something because we have no other option. But often people are on here asking if it is something that is an easy fix that they can take care of at home, or if it truly does warrant veterinary attention. Please don't let others feel badly about not being able to take care of their pets that they love like family. I do the same thing with my own children and my medical questions. I see if anybody has any advice before taking them or myself to the doctor. We all do the best we can with what we are given.
874521 tn?1424116797
Sorry, I'm having trouble understanding your post, have you used the revolution and the cats are experiencing the scabs and hair loss or do they already have this condition and you are wondering if you should risk using it?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I bought Revolution which cost about 250.00 to treat 6 times, so I use it on my 5 cats. I had to get it from another country. Australia I believe because it was about 3 times more expensive everywhere else I looked that was in the US on EBay. This was supposed to be better than frontline plus (which I was under the impression was the best medication for flea's, so I had never heard of Revolution but when I got the package I read some things insinuating that there had been some severe even rare conditions death after using it. Well, my one cat has two area's-under his neck and the top of his head. My fear of putting this medication on him (that treats all parasites and more except one and I THINK it said something like heart worm or heart tape worm. (I have a brain disorder and suffer with demensia -severe memory problems so I may not have all of the words, names, or dates correct but I am trying so hard not to sound stupid and someone who could possibly help me pass me over, so please hang in there PLS..PLS..) I have some of this Revolution left and I want to use it SO SO bad because my cats are my world (I am really diagnosed Bed Ridden-I am also in a wheel chair and have a spine disorder, so 2 of 5 of the cats I have are true Service animals although they all have the ability to sense when I start seizing, have symptoms with my heart, or am paralyzed (which will be permanent sooner than later) and I scream in excruciating pain. Well, 4 of the 5 surround me even before I know something severe is about to happen, one will stay with me during one of the very long episodes and times I felt myself going, believing I was not going to make it, they all at some point get on top of my chest and lightly head butt me and constantly rub against me, even to the point of rolling on top of me and I can only hear one sound as I feel like I am going out of it and that is an unusually loud purr. Somehow I am able to focus on the feeling of their heart on my chest and it brings me back to reality and sometimes it can take an hour or about but they all initially come to me, rubbing on my legs if I am in my wheelchair and any all places if I am lying down but one will stay with me the entire event. I find it weird because its as if they got together and made a schedule because its hardly ever the same one, like they are taking turns, and it is so touching. I have no one besides my 66 year old disabled husband and so they are my life savers at least 5 times a week. Each have their own personality and nothing could replace each of any one of them. I have little human contact and am confined to the house, while I still am aloud to, at some point I will be forced to go to a nursing home.
              These cats TRULY ARE THE LOVE I FEEL IN LIFE, so to see one who appears and acts very sick with two bad area's of this affected condition, another one who is just starting to loose hair on the top of her head, and another who is my first and original service animal (who is 15 yrs old) has scabs around her neck but I have not noticed any hair loss.
             I want to put the Revolution on the cat who seems really bad but I dont know if it will cause him severe pain once it reaches these patches of affected area's. For more than one reason I can't take any of the cat's to the vet for the most obvious but also because I do not have any money and I don't know how long it will be before I can.
               Does anyone know who can tell me if I should use this Revolution on my cat or not. I have sat up too long, so I am getting very ill right now so I do need to go. please let me know if you have any experience this product please. Thanks for your time, I never share online. Thanks kris
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874521 tn?1424116797
I'm sorry Mrs_Savas hasn't been with us on the forum for a few years...please read thru all the later posts and that should help you with some of the answers your looking for. sorry but I can't be on myself for a few days due to some family issues. If you read thru all this than post again, I will hopefully return soon and give you more help.....diet and NO scents are the biggest culprits..hope you find answers for your kitty♥
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Avatar universal
My cat is going bald on her back, and there are little red spots that look almost infected. She is an outdoor/indoor cat.her fur is getting really thin and she has scabs all over her poor body. She has kittens and I am worried, I just want to make sure she isn't giving the kittens anything.please help me. Thanks.
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2 Comments
She could have worms
I know this is old but did you ever find out the cause because it sounds like your cat picked up ringworm. Even inside cats can get it since it’s everywhere. Our hairless cat developed it and it’s a pain to get rid of. They can get it from you bringing it in on y
Our shoes and not every cat or human will develop it. My son ended up getting a small patch but neither my husband or I have and I am in constant contact with our cats skin daily since he sleeps with me. Some cats can also be carriers of it and show no signs whatsoever. From the description it sounds exactly like ringworm.
Avatar universal
I had a vet that almost killed my dog once because of his recommendations, they like medical doctors are not always right...just something to think about
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
An animal doesn't have to go our side to get fleas.   All of my cats are indoor cats, but still get fleas every yr
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I would also stay away from the colloidal silver at least until we know what we are dealing with, than if required I will give you a brand name that is SAFE for cats...NOT NECESSARILY one that is labeled pets either!!!

you can give her some krill oil....its much higher in omega 3's than salmon oil...get this in capsule form, pierce the capsule squirt onto your finger than rub into gums, some cats love it and will even eat it in their food, mine HATE it to say the least, this is very good for their coats

Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
thanks goodness for pple like you willing to help these poor discarded animals...I agree this is happening much to often and everywhere

yes some of these posts are very OLD, please read thru the most recent ones for there have been many good links and suggestions made that I hope not to repeat

PLEASE do NOT use any foot sprays ever!!!! this could be toxic.

you need to first find out whats causing the scabs. allergies in cats 9x out of 10 will show up as an itch or a sore

this can be caused by an allergy to a flea bite...cat does not need to have fleas, just one bite

also allergies to ingredients in the food like the grains or all the preservatives that are put in dry foods...esp. tell me what are you feeding?

it can be environmental allergies to carpets, furniture, cleaners or any chemical or scent you are using in your home...

can you upload some photos to give me a better idea what you are dealing with...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi....I have a cat that is covered with these scabs....she is a stray I took in and was seemingly  fine the 1ST week or so and soon after I noticed all this happening! She has been in this condition for going on 8 weeks. Just read to give her Salmon Oil Liquid to help boost  immune system, etc. Also Pet Colloidal Silver to help with internal infection.  Also was told this scabbing could be an effect of flea dermatitis? I have given her 2 baths....and we see NO fleas!?
But the Athletes Foot Cream you mention.....is this just any of this cream? How do you get the cream thru the fur, and penetrate the skin sufficiently? I guess I could slather it on!?
Could I use an Athletes Foot Spray? Which might be easier in penetrating to the skin!?
Thanks!
I see this post is YEARS old!
Maybe you are still around or someone can reply and help!
I can not afford a VET at all. I have had 100's of stray cats in my 50 some years which have lived healthy and long lives, just buried a 22 yr old furry friend a few month ago!! And today they seem to suffer so with so many inflictions, more than in the past!
And I dont trust Vets, with all the controversy with the many many toxins they use and have had deaths and bad experiences and tend to steer clear of them. There are so so many pitched to the road cats and dogs in todays America.....So sad! People too! And I take them in and do what I can! Anything is better than fending for themselves on busy roads & fighting wild animals at night. It really is just awful! WHAT wanders to my back porch and in my small barn.....day after day, year after year. And increasing in todays world so full of poverty for so many.
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874521 tn?1424116797
I meant to add some sites on hair loss....adding some Omega 3 fatty acids maybe beneficial. I do advise against antihistamines and steroids as these only treat the problem and not the cause. also all steroids are dangerous to cats...they will lead to many health conditions one being diabetes.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Hair-loss--scabs-and-no-fleas/show/665747#post_9862317

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2134
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874521 tn?1424116797
no I am not a Vet, I am simply a pet parent who has read and followed many sites along the years. you do not have to follow my advice, I was merely giving you my opinion, I thought that was what you were looking for?

I urge you to read a wonderful site by a very knowledgeable VET...read all her pages they are very informative, but first scroll down page one to the blue area of dental disease and read her opinion of how wrong the claims are for dry food cleaning the teeth....

http://catinfo.org/

and here is one site by drs. foster and smith...who have long been pet advocates. the site talks abt the toxicity of garlic, how it causes a breakdown of red blood cells and leads to Heinz Body Anemia. the only thing I do not agree with is them claiming, the small amount in some foods have not been shown to cause problems...if the cat was eating this same food for a long period of time there would be a build up, I don't believe any amount is safe, is it really worth taking a chance on?

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1&aid=2414

I do not know the author of the site you provided, but I do not agree with their claim. but  that is just MY opinion, you are entitled to your own as well.
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7349426 tn?1390261016
my profile pic is the most recent picture of my main man........ you might be able to see the hair loss.
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7349426 tn?1390261016
Also is it not good to just feed your cat soft food it destroys there teeth. I tried the holistic food from Wal-Mart hoping it would stop there hairballs but it didn't so they are back on blue buffalo hair ball formula
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7349426 tn?1390261016
HI ........ first of all opus88 are you a vet......... the Vet said there is no problem feeding my cat garlic oil plus I have looked it up (Is garlic safe to give to pets? That all depends on how you give it. If you feed garlic to your pet the way they do in laboratory research studies by force administration, in medical terms, 'gavage' - through a tube inserted into a hole made in their stomach, the answer is NO! If you feed it naturally, the way it was meant to be eaten, the answer is YES. With few exceptions, garlic given in small amounts, mixed into food, can be beneficial to the health of most dogs and cats) http://www.petremedycharts.com/Learning%20Center/Introduction%20to%20Herbs/LH%20Garlic/Garlic_for_pets.html   right from this site and many others plus it the same information I got from the VET............ no I do not have carpets in my house nor have I ever used softener on my clothes.  
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874521 tn?1424116797
you feed dry food.....there are also many chemicals and preservatives especially in dry food, cats can become sensitive to these as well...don't know whats all in this 'organic' food from walmart. you really also need to use a wet canned diet with NO grains...grains are also huge for allergies or sensitivities...these would have to be bought from a pet store and not from a walmart or other grocery chain, more expensive but a whole lot cheaper than all those Vet visits:)
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi....first of all STOP the garlic that is toxic to cats.
have you gotten anything new in the house this past while such as carpets or furniture?
or started using fabric softner or a new cleaning agent on the floors/carpets?
ANY new scents or chemicals around the house at all?
different litter?
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7349426 tn?1390261016
Just so you know my cats are indoor and do not have or have had fleas ever..........So my problem started off 4 months ago with 3 of my cats losing hair near there bums, now its just Big papa Clark that has little next to no hair around his bum and sides of his belly with soars and scabs. The two girls that had it have gotten better on there own. While this is not the only problem my kitties face it is at the moment my main concern. I would love to help my little man out the most natural way as I can. I had problems with hair balls so I had switched the food to a hairball control formula but that had no effect. so I moved on to a all organic hairball food from Wal-Mart but still not affecting my cats hairballs. Now back to Clark he is almost 4 and a proud papa of 12 children of his own( no they don't all still live at home ) he his been losing his hair for 4 months and I have taken him to the vet and they don't have a clue what is wrong I have tried changing his food. I have diluted and added natural ingredients like cod oil, garlic oil, and olive oil to tuna which he loves to eat so I am sure he is getting it all in him but nothing is working......... keep in mind I have brought him to the vet 8 times in the last 4 months and they still have nothing to say......please help my Clark
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1 Comments
My 11 year old female cat Molly was acting strange.. jumping up onto the highest vantage point in the room, knocking ornaments off furniture and scratching and biting herself furiously especially around her neck. I took her to the vet who took blood tests to find an answer. She was slightly dehydrated but her kidneys and and liver function were fine. He thought it.might be stress so he gave me some anti anxiety pills. This let her sleep more but she was still scratching when awake. It cost me $700 for that visit and as an aged pensioner i can't afford another visit. She is now scratching almost continuinually and has scans around her neck. We live in western australia. She has never had a flea on her body. Any advice anyone..? Regards cathleen5
7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Guy's ,

Just in general all of the above symptoms can be attributed to sooooo many things. You really need to have the areas tested to see what parasitic , fungal,allergic or even phycological reaction is happening is happening.

This problem depending on where it is and what it looks like could be Scabies, Stud Tale, Allergy to fleas, Alopecia,Ring worm, Lice, Dermititis, Food or inhalant induced allergies ..Yada, Yada, Yada.

You could be smearing everything but the garbage on these areas and still  be treating the Symptoms not the cause. In rescue we see every one of these descriptions --all different, needing different care. Please visit a vet for a look-see by a professional.

By the way a good way to check for Fleas is to get a white sheet and comb each animal separately--if you see little black dots you can bet there are fleas somewhere. Sometimes if you crush the black spots they turn reddish brown like blood. These are eggs, feces, or fleas. At least it may help you identify Flea allergies.

I always defer to a Vet--I am no expert, they are, and if you are going to use treatments on your pet you should know exactly what treatment you are using it for.  Also ringworm will be seen under black like like a glowy green/yellow. I know EEEWWWWWW!!
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1 Comments
Good advice. And the black light is a real help in identifying fungal infections on cats and people too. Make sure it is the correct spectrum. We bought a medical grade one for under $15 from Amazon. Looks like a flashlight; but has like dozens of led black lights.  Additionally; the black light can reveal various other infections; bacterial for example. Fungal will show up a pale bright sickly yellow and bacterial a bright fuchsia pink.
Avatar universal
Hi Angelfire 09, what was the name of this product you got from Walmart? I live in England soiI would have to buy this on the internet. Thanks
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Avatar universal
Every time I put cream on spidermans back for his scabs he licks it off even after I rub it in very good.
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681148 tn?1437661591
I suggest starting a new thread, because you will get more people to notice your post and will be more likely to be able to respond.  

Keep in mind that ring worm is not really a worm at all.  It is a common name for a fungal infection.  There are several types of parasitic worms that our pets can get, but the most common kind is round worm.  I think you should definitely get the kitty treated by a vet if the over-the-counter medications haven't been working.  The vet will be more likely to know what kind of parasite is bothering your cat.

Others here will be more familiar with the types of medications that are used in veterinary medicine for the various parasitic worms and even where the cat would have picked up the pest.  What I know is that this needs to be treated now and should not wait.

There are other types of parasitic worms that our pets get, but I've never really had to contend with these dangerous infections.  So, I don't know a whole lot about the various medications that are used to kill the parasites.  I do know that you need to be careful with the medications.  Make sure you research the medication that the vet suggests before giving it to your cat.  Some medications have made cats very sick, so do your research.
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