Why does my cat have orange spots or a rash on her back near her tail?

Hello. I am sorry that Kiki has this rash. It is hard to tell from the photo however there are a few things I would try. Firstly, get a wet paper towel and pick up some of the dots. If they dissolve red then they are flea dirt (flea poop) and the problem is fleas. If they just remain black then they are just dirt present (less likely with an indoor cat). If they don't come off the skin or dissolve then it could be that she has skin allergies, or could be an endocrine disease. At this point I would be checking her bloodwork to see if she has hyperthyroidism. Also, is she excessively chewing or licking, because if she is I would be more suspicious of a skin allergy. This could be flea allergy dermatitis, so you wouldn't see fleas but just one bite could get her. IF you are in a high flea density area you could be bringing some in on your clothes that are biting her. Also, I would have her anal glands checked. I hope this helps, and that she feels better soon. Good luck with Kiki.

This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you flea Bull 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.

This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Ice 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.

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be fleas, infection or mites.

First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), 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 the skin lesions (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.

This looks like flea bite allergic dermatitis. Cats chew and overgroom at the base of their tail and lower back when they have fleas or an itchy flea bite. You can treat Rizer with a topical such as Advantage that will kill the fleas. Also combing with a flea comb will remove them and help get rid of the dead fur so new fur will grow in. If you find fleas then make sure you treat all the animals and the house. The skin should heal up and fur grow back in several weeks. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rizer.

Unfortunately, there a lot of causes behind skin rashes and hair loss, which is why it is important to bring Duchess to a vet for a workup. Rashes can be caused by issues such as parasites (fleas, ticks, lice, ect) which can cause a bite allergy -- and does present similar to the picture you provided. Other causes of rashes can include bacterial or fungal infections, underlying illnesses, food or environmental allergens. I would treat Duchess for any fleas and also be sure to thoroughly wash all bedding, clean her environment, vacuum floorboards, etc. You can also try an allergy medication while treating for the fleas to help reduce irritation while she heals (your vet can give you the correct dosage for Duchess' weight and size). Using an old T-shirt or an Elizabethan (cone) collar to keep her from licking and chewing the irritated area can also help reduce the chances of an infection taking hold. It's still a good idea to schedule a vet visit even if you are doing home treatment. This can help rule out any other causes, and your vet can monitor progress on the allergy/flea treatment to make any adjustments if needed.

This patch could be related to fleas, allergy, infection, or something called hyperesthesia. If you are not using a quality flea preventative right now I'd definitely recommend starting. Revolution is a good flea preventative for cats. If possible you can try using a gentle shampoo like Douxo Calm to bathe the area and see if this helps. If you do not see any improvement it would be wise to have Bast examined by your veterinarian to ensure she does not need any oral medication like antibiotics. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck!