My cat has flea allergy hair loss on her back. Should I see a vet?

Unfortunately, from the photos and information given, that looks like it needs to be seen and treated by a vet. Flea allergies can cause major reactions, and if you are noticing an odor in addition the area is likely infected and needs to be treated with prescription antibiotics and medicated shampoos in addition to getting the underlying cause (the fleas) under control. While keeping the area clean and dry and using a T-shirt or Elizabethan (cone) collar to stop excessive licking and scratching can help, it ultimately needs professional treatment at this point to get it under control. If you're having trouble affording care, this site can help give you ideas/options so that Bagheera can be seen by your vet: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

I'm sorry your cats (and you!) are dealing with you. Unfortunately, once a cat has a flea dermatitis, the itching and skin problems can continue even once you get rid of the fleas. The degree of which really depends on the severity of their sensitivity to flea bites. Often, we have to use antihistamines or steroids to resolve the inflammation. Sometimes we also have to incorporate antibiotics if there is an infection. For dogs, there are topical shampoos we can use, but those are often not a good option for cats. So, I would recommend having your veterinarian examine your cats' skin to determine if there is a secondary skin infection or just inflammation in order to help you determine the best treatment. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would take Dotty into a vet for treatment. They can sedate her and shave all the matts out. Then they can diagnose if she does have a flea allergy (which is likely), and can prescribe treatment for it. I hope this helps.

I would make sure that Chiqui is on a really good flea control program. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. I would also take her into the vet for a visit on Monday. When a cat has a bad flea allergy, they sometimes need steroids to stop the itchiness, which a vet can prescribe.

I have a flea-allergic cat too and it is very frustrating. Ask your vet about giving her an over-the-counter allergy medication to help relieve the itching. Chlorpheniramine and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are commonly used to help cats with itching. Something else to consider is that your cat may have other allergies that are contributing to the problem. A common allergy is to the protein source in the food. Ask your vet about a limited diet or about getting Boris started on a product like Prescription Diet z/d. This diet is formulated with hydrolyzed proteins, a process that changes the protein in the food in such a way that the body doesn't recognize it as an allergen, and it still provides the nutrition your cat needs to be healthy. Also, consider asking for a recommendation to a veterinary dermatologist. They have more and better testing available to them as well as specialty education in skin problems that may make them better able to help you and your cat.

This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Ciciregularly every month with a high quality spot on (ex. Advantage) as fleas are by far the most common reason for these reactions. If the fleas are not the problem, it could be an allergic reaction to food or an environmental factor. this is more complicated to treat and will sometimes require medications such as Steroids, anti histamines or cyclosporin in order to stop the allergy. This isn't an emergency by any means.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Xenna. I would advise having your veterinarian evaluate her especially if the integrity of the skin is compromised. This can lead to infection and more itching and scratching which will cause more damage. Your vet can evaluate the area and advise an adequate treatment to get her through this. I would contact the manufacturer of the collar and report this adverse reaction. Hopefully, along with your veterinarian helping you, they will offer to cover any medical costs associated with you using their product. Good luck