Cat has flea scabs, won't stop scratching. Cone or healing tips?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on November 30th, 2017

  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 any other products (except the flea control) for now, because overuse and misuse of certain products can actually delay healing or make the problem worse.
  
  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.
  

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

  Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

  Published on August 6th, 2019

  Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely in this wound and also needs to be addressed.
  
  There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies.
  
  Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market).
  
  If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.
  
  Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
  

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful