her chin feels like it's scabbed over when i itch it for her and then she pushes my hand away and goes at her chin herself with her front claws...today she was scratching it with her back legs until it began to bleed...i've found lots of things about feline acne but could it be anything else? maybe a fungus? i really want/need to take her to the vet but my family's financial situation is kind of cramping that right now...
2006-09-26 18:41:53 · 14 answers · asked by kati 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
i didn't my family could not feed ourselves we're getting by fine but vets are expensive thank you very much. jesus christ. shits hard when you're 17 and the only person in the household working.
2006-09-26 18:54:05 · update #1
It could be feline acne. Try using betadine on it. Wrap the kitty in a towels so that her head is all that's sticking out. Dab it on DON'T RUB IT! Be carefull, don't get bit. If she won't let you, you'd better get to the vet where she could be sedated.
2006-09-26 18:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by imadogcop 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My cat was the same way. It was feline acne and flea allergies. Control fleas religiously and call the vet. Ask for a shampoo with Benzoyl Peroxide. You can get it over the counter at pet stores too. It's a pain, but you can clean just her chin so that the acne dries out. Don't use people formulations unless told by your vet.
Consider changing her food. Cheap food causes skin problems. Look up Artemis, Wellness and Innova EVO (the best in my opinion). It's like eating health food, you feel better and your system works better to fight off infections.
Just out of curiosity, is the cat black? The vet I work for swears that black cats have more skin problems than other cats. I don't believe her, so we have a running bet going. Could you get back to me please? Thanks in advance.
Good Luck
EDIT:
There are no such things as chin mites!! Ignore the answer above mine unless the cat actually has ear mites. (it looks like coffee grounds inside the EARS).
I just remembered that some cats can react to plastic bowls. Switch to ceramic or metal and see if that helps.
2006-09-26 18:54:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She probably has fleas. If not, she could be allergic to something in the home that is making her itch. I just got through giving my cat a cycle of pills for the same thing. She didn't have fleas, but she must have had an allergy. Don't take shortcuts when it comes to your pet's health--take them to the vet to get looked at. It's your responsibility as a cat owner. I called my vet and explained the symptoms and he gave me the pills without a visit (they only cost about $10) and they worked like magic. Good luck!
2006-09-27 05:19:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, give your cat a good bath, then you have to see it's chin, you have to, and by the way it looks, do research about: fungus, acne, fleas, ticks... etc, that might give some ideas... and try to put some cream on it's chin... perhaps that would low down the itching, until you can find medicine... not to much, just a little to close the wound and for it to feel relived...
2006-09-26 18:48:50 · answer #4 · answered by Damn Kitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear that. My dog kind of does the same thing. I would give the cat a good bath, put some flea powder on them or get it a flea collar. I'm sure you can find something to help out this condition at like Petsmart or petco or some animal store. Good luck and I hope your kitty stops itching.
2006-09-26 18:52:11 · answer #5 · answered by L.M.L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to say it's going to be an allergy. She will need to go to the vet to get some relief. Don't wait to long, she's already suffering.
Since your financially strapped at the moment try a wet wash cloth and rub the affected area. Basically, keep it extra clean to avoid possible infection from the constant scratching, especially after she uses the litter box.
2006-09-26 18:49:22 · answer #6 · answered by together420yrs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vet really is all you can do. You can also *try* to put baby socks on her for the time being. I know it's cruelish, and I would hate doing it, but you may as well try. Also, cut her claws. Not to the quick, of course, but trim them good. You can wrap her up in a blanket to do this. It won't eliminate the problem, but it will dull the claws.
Distract her whenever you see her doing this. Play with her. Quite honestly, this could be boredom. My dog used to lick his paws until they bled, and it was simply out of boredom.
2006-09-26 19:09:55 · answer #7 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like she might have fleas. even if you haven't seen a flea, she could have flea dirt, which is equally as itchy. go to your vet and get a package of frontline or advantage and apply a tube. DON'T BUY THE STUFF THEY SELL AT WALMART. i've seen more cats die horrible deaths from that stuff than i care to think about. and remember that if you can't afford to feed yourself, you probably shouldn't have a pet. if that's the case, take her to the humane society or another no-kill shelter and let them adopt her out to a family that is better prepared to care for her.
2006-09-26 18:47:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
aww poor kitty! she might have a skin allergie. my uncles dog always bites her feet and she has skin allergies. You don't have to go to the vet but call and ask them if you can put calamine lotion on her chin.
2006-09-26 18:51:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
That sounds like mites. Try getting ear mite medicine (pet section, Walmart) and applying directly to her chin. It is not expensive. Hope this helps :)
2006-09-26 18:53:50 · answer #10 · answered by prolocust 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋