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Scabby Cat
My cat, who I adopted in November, always seems to have small scabs round his head and neck. I'll be stroking him and suddenly find a scab (maybe the size of my little finger nail at most, usually a lot smaller) somewhere in his fur. The first time I felt one, it was old and loose and came straight off. This was just after I'd adopted him, and I thought he must have been fighting or something before he came to me.
However, he's since had several - some have looked long and thin, like scratches, and some have been rounder patches. He doesn't appear to be bothered by them - he's not scratching madly as if he's itchy or been bitten. He definitely isn't fighting. I have noticed him scratching himself ocassionaly, but only a couple of times a day in the normal cat way - he does't appear to be madly itchy or anything. I can see no sign of fleas or mites, although with mites, I don't know how visible they are... I've Frontlined him anyway just in case, but the scabs seem to be continuing. They aren't deep wounds, they've very small, shallow looking ones.
I have wondered if he's cutting his own skin with his claws while he scratches, as his claws are quite sharp (they're always catching in blankets and clothing for example, even though he uses his scratching post regularly) as I can't think what else it could be...
Does anyone have any bright ideas please? Could it be mites, and if so, how would I tell?
However, he's since had several - some have looked long and thin, like scratches, and some have been rounder patches. He doesn't appear to be bothered by them - he's not scratching madly as if he's itchy or been bitten. He definitely isn't fighting. I have noticed him scratching himself ocassionaly, but only a couple of times a day in the normal cat way - he does't appear to be madly itchy or anything. I can see no sign of fleas or mites, although with mites, I don't know how visible they are... I've Frontlined him anyway just in case, but the scabs seem to be continuing. They aren't deep wounds, they've very small, shallow looking ones.
I have wondered if he's cutting his own skin with his claws while he scratches, as his claws are quite sharp (they're always catching in blankets and clothing for example, even though he uses his scratching post regularly) as I can't think what else it could be...
Does anyone have any bright ideas please? Could it be mites, and if so, how would I tell?
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Don't bother with Frontline, as it's utterly useless. I've good results with Advantage flea treatment, so maybe try that?
Sounds like flea allergy to me too. In my experience, cats don't scratch nearly as much as dogs when they have fleas. Try Frontline to get rid of the fleas (it does work). Some cats are allergic to flea collars. One of ours was, and his fur never grew again around the neck where his collar went, so he looks as if his head's been sewn on!
He doesn't wear a collar, and he doesn't seem at all bothered by the scabs (at this point). I've had a thorough clean of all the bedding and cushions and carpets etc over the weekend, and I'll try to get him to the vet later this week. He doesn't appear to have any new scabs over the last few days, but he definitely isn't fighting, so it must be something! I'm sure there are fleas about, on and off, because I also have an outdoor cat who comes and goes, including into other houses.
If the vet thinks it's fleas, make sure you get a spray for carpets and bedding as well. We came back from holiday once to find a furry rug absolutely jumping with the little horrors!
Thinking about it, I'd be surprised if it was fleas, because in the past when there have been fleas around they bit me like mad - I react badly to fleas and get very swollen and itchy bites, whereas there has been nothing this time. He sleeps with me too and sits in my ironing pile, so I'd have thought if he did have something insect based, I'd have it too by now...
I'll let you know how we get on.
Thanks for coming back with your update. So glad he is ok.