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What's this infected scab on my cat's neck if he's not itching?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered

My cat has this scab on his neck that looks infected he hasn't had any itching from it there was one scan and that one disappeared now a new one has turned up next to the old one

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenny, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 4th, 2017

Have you put any medicine on that area such as flea prevention before it was noticed? Sometimes that is a sign of a reaction from a topical. Another area to check is his ears, sometimes they can scratch their neck instead and. Cause a wound if there is an infection or mites. If it doesn't improve then your vet can check for an infection or an allergy that could cause it

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 1st, 2017
Hello. If your little kitten has crusts of skin, there is likely a wound or an infection. This could be due to fleas, or bacterial infection. I would suggest washing the kitten carefully and removing the scabs and crusts, and look for wounds. If there is pus, or wounds present then I would get him to a vet. Either way a vet check-up is a good idea. Otherwise if it is just crusty you can check him for fleas or 'coffee ground' like substance in the ears that would suggest ear mites. There are medications you can get from your vet for fleas and mites. Good luck with the little kitten.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 15th, 2016
It could be a scab from an infection, flea allergy dermatitis, etc. You could give him a bath with a shampoo appropriate for a kitten and see if the scabs can be gently removed. If they persist than have a vet take a look at him. He may need an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory to treat. Once he is old enough, use a monthly flea prevention like revolution or frontline, especially if he will be outside. If you see any fleas on him now than you will have to comb through him with a flea comb and see if you can remove them.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 3rd, 2016
It sounds like he could have a bacterial skin infection which may be secondary to an allergy. You could bathe him with a medicated cat shampoo and see if that helps. Otherwise, he will need to be examined and treated by a veterinarian. He may need an antibiotic, antihistamine, and/or a corticosteroid to help treat his skin problem. Hope he feels better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My cat has a persistent neck scab. Why won't it heal or stop itching?

She could have a foreign body or infecion in that area that won't properly heal. I would have your vet look at it to ensure she doesn't need some antibiotics or even a culture of the area to ensure it isn't a resistant infection. Finally, if it won't heal, she may need that area surgically removed as I have had a similar case where we surgically removed it and sent the tissue to the lab and there a piece of grass was embedded in that tissue. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has a neck scab. Is it fleas, scratching, or something else?

The fleas don’t cause visible damage like this, so it’s probably from scratching. Fleas could certainly cause enough irritation to cause self-trauma from itching, ear infections are another cause. I would recommend staying a good-quality monthly flea preventative and you may need to have Tigger checked out by a vet to check for infections.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my cat licking and itching with a big spot on his neck?

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat has little bumps on his ears and neck. What could be the cause?

This may be a small reaction to getting bitten by something or an allergy to something in the environment. the skin around the scab does not appear to be inflamed or infected and that is a good sign. If it does not go away or begins to spread or bother him, I would see a vet for medication to clear it

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my kitten have itchy, pimple-like scabs on her neck?

This is most likely due to some type of allergy. Due to its location it is most likely fleas but could also be due to something else in the environment. I would make sure she is on a high quality flea preventative like comfortis, cheristan, or advantage. Also, if you see any fleas on her I would also treat your house and yard for fleas. Fleas do not live on the pet but in the environment. If you do not see any fleas and the spots are not improving, I would recommend to have your vet take a look at them. There is a good chance that the spot have become infected and she may need some antibiotics and stronger allergy meds like steroids to help them heal. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What are these recurring scabs and bumps on my cat's neck and ears?

Ouch! Those are some major hot spots in that photo. I would recommend having Lili seen by your vet so the area can be clipped and cleaned and any medications such as pain or antibiotics can be given to help it heal a bit faster. I'd also keep Lili from scratching or pawing at it as this can introduce bacteria and more inflammation which can slow healing. If only Lili is affected and you're not noticing other issues like parasites, etc, it is possible there is an allergy underlying. She could be rubbing up against something causing the itchiness, or could have an ingredient allergy to something in her food (or a treat if the spots correspond with intermittent feeding of a treat or wet food). Other issues such as an underlying illness like an immune or metabolic issue can also cause scabbing and skin issues that affect only one cat in the household. A vet visit is a good option at this point both to treat the current scabs and to see if a food trial, allergy meds, or additional testing such as bloodwork to rule out any underlying health issues may be beneficial in finding the cause.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my cat scratching an unhealed neck wound? What should I do?

From the picture I can only say this may be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics or antifungal meds (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. More investigations like sampling and bacterial swabs would be needed to determine the underlying cause more specifically. In my experience I have seen large wounds like this one from Poxvirus infection (but usually other wounds are present as well). I would suggest to handle this wound always with gloves (you are doing it anyway as I can see from the pic). Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. 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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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