My Cat keeps getting scabs on her back & head?

Question

I recently moved and all the sudden my indoor cat has been getting scabs on her back and head. I've checked her for fleas and she doesn't have them. I really worried about her especially sinceshe seems to be getting them more frequently and they seem to be getting worse. I can't really afford to go to a vet and I need to know what's wrong with her.

Answer 1

Flea Allergies:

Flea allergy is caused by the saliva of fleas. Affected pets react to the flea saliva after being bitten, and can exhibit signs of itch, sores, irritation, hair loss, and signs of depression.

Fleas are very irritating to our pets, and can result in a pet that itches and scratches constantly. Dogs will commonly display flea allergy symptoms of hair loss, sores, and irritation over the rump area, down the hind legs, in the groin region (area between the back legs), and along the tail.

Cats can develop tiny scabs around the neck, face, groin, and trunk of the body.

Diagnosis is obvious if these symptoms occur along with noticing these parasites on the pet. Fleas are tiny, black, fast moving insects, which like to stay as close to the skin as possible. Heavy hair coats can make visual diagnosis difficult.

Flea combs available in most pet supply stores, or sold by your veterinarian, can pick out the fleas and their waste products (known as flea dirt) from your pet's hair coat. Flea dirt appears as tiny black specks, and will appear rust colored when wet.

Bathing the pet with any approved detergent, will result in the death of the flea, and they can then be seen in the bath water. Sometimes, a pet affected with many fleas, will result in a heavy load of flea dirt, which when bathed, will turn the bath water a reddish rust color.

Treatments include removing fleas from the pet and environment with medications applied directly on the pet or given by mouth, agents applied to the environment, and anti-itch medications (given by mouth, applied directly on the pet, or both).

Answer 2

She could be having some allergies to something in your new home. My biggest suspicion would be fleas... it is very hard to find fleas on a cat b/c they are such great groomers. I"m assuming b/c she has scabs she's scratching, if the scabs are just popping up without her scratching she needs to go to a vet b/c it could be something like ringworm or a bacterial infection. Another possibility could be ear mites. My best recommendation would be to shoot for the pests first and see how things turn out. Revolution is a great product for your indoor cat b/c it will take care of ear mites and fleas. There is also a tablet available called Capstar this will kill all the fleas that could be on your pet for 24 hours. You would have to go to your vet for both of these things, but they should be over th counter so you won't have to take kitty in :)

Answer 3

I have had 2 cats with the same problem. Momma kitty and her son. The son was worse. I had taken him to the vet (his hair was thinning in those places also) and they put an ultraviolet light (some kind of black light) on him and it turned out he was extremely sensitive to fleas. He had also bitten himself raw. It is possible there are fleas where you moved to, (put down a white towel or sheet in the middle of the room and check it periodically, within a half hour you will be able to tell, they will gather on it, but I don't know why, or wear white socks without shoes and see if you get bit at the ankles) and be sure you are up to date on the flea meds. It is also possible that he/she is allergic to something in your new home. If that isn't the answer, the ultraviolet light will show up any external parasites not seen by the naked eye. My cats like the flea comb whether or not they have fleas. They just like the attention and the scratching feels good. Just like it does when the hairdresser shampoos your hair.

Answer 4

Is there a society like the PDSA that can give you financial support to get your pet to a vet? If not, then look for other causes of the scabs and try to treat them. Maybe it's stress-related, what with moving recently and all. Try to reduce anything that might cause stress, like new sounds or smells. Look for any other parasites, and watch her closely to see if she's causing them herself. Is there anything around the house, like a sticking-out nail that could hurt her? Check all the places in the house she visits regularly for danger. If they're getting infected or are really bad then make a call to your vet and ask if you can get some quick advice on home treatments, or suggestions on products that might help. They shouldn't charge for advice, but if they do then it won't be a huge sum. Also look around the internet for any helplines you can call on veterinary matters.

Answer 5

OK, well my cat (passed early 06) used to get scabs on her back from scratching if she had fleas. Check thoroughly for fleas again. They can be very hard to spot, especially small ones. Curse those fleas.
She could have an allergy to something so taking her to the vet would be the BEST idea. You can get some cheap medication from your vet. Not everything is expensive.

Not sure what else it could be. Does she scratch them? Have you kept her up to date on flea treatment?

Answer 6

Sounds like she is doing a lot of scratching. What is new in her environment? She may be having an allergic reaction to something. You can put a cream called "Panalog" on the sores and it will help them heal Most vets will sell it to you without seeing the cat. You could also use Aloe Vera on her. Just keep in mind that most medications for people are not good for cats.

Answer 7

Your vets an idiot, your cat needs a cone so she will stop scratching at herself, poor little cat. Call that vet and complain, it's common sense that the cone plus the cream will be the only thing that will stop it. I'm so sorry for you and your cat I know how if feels to worry about them, what is your vet doing a cash grab? Good luck, Or call any friends that have cats and see if they have a cone, you could even make one just make sure there are no sharp edges on it. Good luck

Answer 8

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RE:
My Cat keeps getting scabs on her back & head?
I recently moved and all the sudden my indoor cat has been getting scabs on her back and head. I've checked her for fleas and she doesn't have them. I really worried about her especially sinceshe seems to be getting them more frequently and they seem to be getting worse. I can't really...

Answer 9

that's tricky.. because the best idea would be to get her to a vet, but you could find one that isin't so expensive... and it could just be from stress or from fleas or and allergie, it's so hard to say! have you changed her brand of food??? litter??? anything.... that's really different that she might have been really used to??? well good luck... the thing to remember is if you keep letting this go on and on the more expensive it will be to treat her, the sooner you find out whats wrong and take those steps usually the less expensive it is... and of course the better your kitty will feel!

Answer 10

She could also be over grooming. Cats sometimes do that when they are stressed. Changes to environment, like a new family member or a move to a new home can be the cause.