Why does my cat lick herself raw and bloody in fall and winter?

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. Abnormal overgrooming due to behavioural disorders (usually related to stress) should be considered as well as a possibility but all the other causes need to be ruled out first. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). 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.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Licking until raw is a sign of irritation. This irritation can be due to fleas, other skin parasites, and sometimes other diseases such as tumors, intestinal pain if it on the stomach, or just a simple skin infection. I would recommend a visit to your vet for pain medications and antibiotics, and you will also need an E-collar to stop the self-trauma that is making it worse. Best of luck with Jackson!

Poor Iris! I'm sorry to hear that she's having this problem. Excessive itching and licking like this with sores and bleeding can be caused by a number of different skin conditions. Iris may have allergies, a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites (mange). It's also possible that she has fleas, as flea baths are not generally very effective in my experience. Treatment will depend on what the underlying problem is, so it's important to get a diagnosis first. I would definitely recommend taking her to the vet in the morning for an exam - he/she can do some simple skin tests to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate medication to treat it. In the meantime, you can place an e-collar (plastic cone) on Iris if needed to prevent her from continuing to lick herself and make the sores worse.

This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Beauty Rose Winborne regularly 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.

There are many reasons Riley could be licking including parasites, allergies (both environmental and food), thyroid issues and even behavioral (like OCD). At home you can stop the licking by making him wear an Elizabethan collar at all times. Go ahead and treat him for fleas once a month for at least 2 months. If you want an over the counter product, pick Frontline but there are better products out there like Cheristan or Comfortis. If he has any wounds, you can cleanse them and then apply a little coconut oil- rub it in well and do not allow him to lick it. If he does not get better within a couple weeks or if he gets worse, take him in to see the veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any further questions.!

It could be allergies causing Lola's behavior, but typically it's the environment causing the allergy not food. I would hold off on switching food until after she sees the vet. The only way to know how to treat her problems is to have her seen by a vet, who can diagnose the cause in order to prescribe the correct treatment. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Check out these resources to see if one can help you, and have her seen by a vet this week. I hope this helps!

Place an e-collar (cone) on Elsa to prevent further licking. This may be enough to allow healing. If she has open sores, have her examined by your veterinarian as she may need antibiotics. An anti inflammatory or antihistamine may give her relief if she is itchy. Distract her when you see her licking. Provide toys, puzzle feeders and more exercise to keep her from licking. If this does not help, consider a consultation with a veterinary dermatologist to diagnose any underlying cause.