Why is my cat still biting and scabbing after fleas are gone?

I'm sorry to hear that Spaz has such uncomfortable skin lesions! Some common causes of scabs over the back include underlying allergies (to food, the environment, or fleas, ringworm, or other inflammatory issues. Make sure that Spaz is receiving a high quality flea preventative once a month (such as Advantage or Revolution), even though you are not seeing fleas. Some animals are highly allergic to flea bites, such that the fleas saliva injected after one bite can incite an allergic reaction, even if you are not finding fleas on her skin. Fleas can enter the house on our clothing and then hop over to our indoor pets. Since her skin lesions have not responded to antibiotic injections (I assume Convenia?), she may need to try a different class of oral antibiotics, as well as corticosteroids or other allergy management medications. Spaz should go back to her vet for a recheck to discuss these other medication options. If she does have allergies, it can take a good bit of time and trial and error to help her achieve some relief. I hope that she's feeling better soon!

Fleas and allergies to fleas can set-up an environment for infection. It's possible that this is complicating the recovery process. The skin will often start to heal once the fleas are gone, but it's worth treating for infection by giving a bath with a medicated cat shampoo (can get this at the pet store). I recommend discontinuing the use of the other products (except the flea control) for now, because overuse and misuse of certain products can actually delay healing or make the problem worse. For instance, I worry about the use of the coconut oil, because fungal and bacterial infections will thrive in the coconut oil. It's best to just give a bath with the medicated shampoo once every 2-3 days, until the skin starts to look normal. It's expected that it will take a month or more until the cats start to look normal again, so stick with it and they should get through this fine. Treating for fleas is not just restricted to the host, because fleas can reproduce and nest in the environment and continually cause an issue. Below is a link to a short article that explains treating the cats and environment for fleas: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/ If the skin problems are not getting better, or are getting worse in the next two weeks, then it's best to have your cats evaluated by a vet, because they may need additional treatment. I hope that helps and the kitties get better soon.

A flea bite can cause itching and irritation for several weeks after the fleas are controlled. The majority of a flea problem is the environment. The fleas still have to get on the cats to bite and get the medicine to die, so you can still have a flea problem without seeing fleas on the cats. IF the spots and itching persist you will need to see a vet for a culture to diagnose ring worm. To get rid of the fleas you will need to get everyone out of the house and treat the house also

It sounds like you are doing a good job ruling out the usual causes of chronic skin disease. You have one more month before you will know if its food (it takes 3 months to reset the immune system). I would recommend ruling out hyperthyroidism (although this typically affects older cats). Otherwise environmental allergies would be the most likely cause. These can be to ANYTHING (house mites, dust mites, grass, pollen..etc). I think you guys are on the right track. Keep going and best of luck!

Poor kitty! It's possible it's the Revolution but reactions are generally localized to the area where the product was applied. The only way to know for sure is to change your product and see if things get better. Advantage Multi is another product similar to Revolution but a different make up. Other reasons for chronic skin lesions and itching are allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Fleas are less common since you are using a medication like Revolution. You may want to use a flea comb and check your kitty and the kitten for any evidence of fleas just to be sure there are none. Comb around the lower back and between the hind legs. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for petss, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having your cat wear an elizabethan collar at all times. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor Baby! I would talk to your vet about whether a long acting steroid like depo-medrol may be beneficial as long as he is healthy enough and they don't think it will cause it to get worse. I would also make sure he is staying on a monthly high quality flea preventative as this can be a major cause for allergies in cats. Another option would be to ask for a referral to see a dermatologist or to find a alternative vet to discuss acupuncture or herbs as an option. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better really soon!

Those spots on Karloff could be several things including allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Comfortis or a broad spectrum anti-parasitic like Revlution. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the lesions should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having karloff wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.