My rescue cat has crusts on her fur. Is it a skin condition?

It does need to be seen and treated by a vet but it is not concerning enough to be an emergency. This can be from scratching or a skin infection. Just keep the area clean and let a scab form until you can him checked by a vet this week

If you were able to post a picture of this skin abnormality it would be very helpful. But based on what you are describing it sounds like either a large scab or eschar that has formed covering up a wound of some sort. Watch your cat closely to see if she is licking the area excessively. You may need to find someone to help hold her so you could more closely examine the skin. You may also want to try putting some Neosporin on it to see if that helps it heal. Without knowing what exactly it looks like it is hard to say what exactly it could be. My best guess is that she has some type of infection that is making her skin abnormal and is making her painful and uncomfortable. If you are unable to look at it yourself I would recommend taking her into a veterinarian where she can be fully examined. If the infection is severe she may need a systemic antibiotics to help clear it up. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Monty. Yes, I recommend having her evaluated by her veterinarian. She could have an infection on her skin resulting in crusts or scabs. This could be from an external parasite, the result of self trauma or a primary skin disease. Her veterinarian may recommend skin tests depending on her exam findings. I hope this information helps!

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria but fungal infections are possible as well). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

There could be several reasons behind Copper’s skin issues. You definitely want to rule out a parasite such as ringworm (which humans can get) or mites. Ask your veterinarian if these have been ruled out at this point. If not, look into testing for these. Crustes around the eyes can indicate a viral infection. Ask your veterinarian if they are suspicious of that. Sometimes these problems can be related to food. I recommend to feed a high-quality diet such as Royal Cann Persian kitten food. It has additives and supplements for coat health for the breed. Royal Canin food is good in general if you cannot find the specific Persian variety. It will take one month before the food takes from effect. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello. Scratching to this degree could still be the result of some sensitivity, to fleas, pollens or other environmental stimulants. Very few cats will scratch because of a food sensitivity. Most of these cats will vomit or have diarrhea. It is possible that fleas may be the cause, so even though you may not see any fleas on her, you should use a good flea product on a regular basis, even if Maarten is strictly indoors. You might want to have your veterinarian examine her to rule out a parasitic issue, infection, the presence of ear mites, & possibly try a short course of steroids to see if this allows the lesions to heal. Then you can work on the possible underlying cause of her sensitivities. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It is difficult to tell from the pictures exactly what could be going on. However, crusty skin lesions can be due to parasite (skin or mite) infections, bacterial infections or even fungal infections. Your veterinarian can perform a skin scraping to determine the cause of the crustiness and prescribe appropriate treatment.