My cat licked a bald spot on his neck with black specks. What is it?

Thank you for the pictures, they are very helpful. I see what you mean about the bald spot and black spots. The black spots could be due to flea dirt, and scratching the area could cause the bald spot. Fleas don't live on the cat, they actually live in the environment. They just jump on the cat to feed and then jump off, so he could have fleas even if you don't see any. Make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments if he's not. Should he be up to date on his flea treatments, then this could be due to an injury (the black spots could be dirt), or an infection of the skin. In this case, you have two options. You could take him into the vet to get it examined and diagnosed, or you could watch it. Should you chose to watch it, take him into the vet if it gets bigger, appears infected, or starts to bother him. I don't think any immediate treatment is needed should you chose to watch the area. I hope this helps!

Hi, thank you for using PetCoach. Those black dots are blackheads (clogged pores). It is not typically a serious problem. It is not related to a flea problem. Feline blackheads often result when cats don't groom themselves properly but it could also be from overactive oil glands or certain yeast or bacterial infections. Stress and food allergies can also contribute to this issue. You can try these medicated wipes on the affected area once a day. If after about 7-10 days there is not much improvement then you should have Dino examined by your vet. ( https://www.amazon.sg/Douxo-30-Count-Chlorhexidine-Pads/dp/B00G3D8JL0 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes!

You should use a plate for Fluffy’s food and clean it frequently since oils from food or a reaction to plastic bowls can lead to acne. Occasionally medicated benzoyl peroxide wipes or ointments like mupirocin are needed to help with acne. Depression shouldn’t be related and can be a sign of a number of diseases so if it continues and you’re concerned your should see a veterinarian.

It looks like feline chin acne. If he eats from plastic bowls, switch them out for glass, steel or ceramic bowls. Some cats are allergic to plastic. You can clean his chin twice daily with a Stridex acne pad (NOT the kind with salicylic acid, but the kind with benzoyl peroxide), or you can use a cotton ball with regular hydrogen peroxide to clean his chin. If it does not improve significantly in a few days or gets worse, please get him in to see your vet as this could indicate a more serious condition.

Hello there! I have great news for you- it doesn't look like flea eggs, but it does look a different problem with a very cheap solution! It appears that Alex has something very common, called feline chin acne. This results in accumulations of blackheads on the chin. Rarely, these can become infected and need antibiotics, but it is almost always just a cosmetic problem. Signs of an infection requiring antibiotics would be swelling, redness, warmth to the touch, and greenish discharge. You can use an acne wipe with salicylic acid (oxy, stridex, etc.) on his chin once a day and that will help reduce the acne over time. :) I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. That looks like a moist and sticky bacterial infection, but a proper diagnosis would come from a hands on examination with your veterinarian. It would be best to have him looked at ASAP, but in the meantime....the main goal is to clean the area and try to keep it dry. You can use some dish soap and water to gently clean the area, then wipe excess soap away and dry it . Do not rub or scrub the tissue very hard as it is probably uncomfortable. Your veterinarian will need to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic to eliminate the infection. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

It sounds like your cat may have a flea allergy. Flea dirt (small black specks) are often found in the skin and this is accompanied by constant scratching/licking and hair loss. The skin is also susceptible to getting secondary bacterial infections. Your cat needs to first be examined to confirm a flea allergy is likely present, then he/she needs to get a steroid shot to stop the itch quickly. The more your pet scratches the worse it will get. If your pet doesn't have fleas then another possible cause of hair loss and black specks is a mite infestation on the skin with lots of loose scans; although this is not nearly as common as fleas. Both require a vet visit to get any type of resolution. I hope your kitty gets well soon!