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My cat has scabs, hair loss, and open wounds. What's the cause?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 3 years and 4 months old

Cat has small scabs all over body, small open wound on back, also hair loss on back of legs.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

David Darvishian

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on August 28th, 2017

Here is some information from a veterinary only website-

Miliary Dermatitis
Becky Lundgren

Cats can get a condition called miliary dermatitis, which is the descriptive term used for a cutaneous reaction pattern of focal (localized) or generalized small papules (bumps) or crusts. Miliary dermatitis is not a specific disease. It is secondary to many other diseases.

Causes of miliary dermatitis include insect (flea, mosquito, ear mite, etc.) bite hypersensitivity, atopy (sensitivity to aero-allergens such as pollen, mold, house dust mites, etc.), adverse reaction to a food, bacterial superficial folliculitis (inflamed skin follicles), dermatophytosis (fungal disease), feline scabies, mast cell tumors, and pemphigus foliaceus. Flea hypersensitivity is the most common cause of miliary dermatitis.

Diagnosis of the root cause of miliary dermatitis may require cytology, skin scrapings, insect control trial, elimination diet, fungal culture, and biopsy.

Treatment is based on eliminating or treating the root cause of the miliary dermatitis.

Here's a client information guide from Univ of FL veterinary school

https://vetmed-hospitals-smallanimal.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/files/2011/09/Skin-Diseases-in-Cats-client-guide.pdf

Good luck with Ollie
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Ollie is having some problems. Small scabs all over his body are indicative of a condition known as Feline Miliary Dermatitis. The causes are many including fleas, ticks, mites, allergies, skin infection, etc. I would advise that you take Ollie into your vet for a thorough history and evaluation (physical exam). Your vet can then advise either diagnostics (lab tests, skin tests including skin scrape, etc, or any over test that is appropriate) and/or treatment for this condition. This condition is treated with steroids (often by injection, long acting), antibiotics, other allergy medicines, good flea/tick products, and many others depending on what your vet thinks is the inciting cause. Good luck with Ollie. I am treating my own cat right now for it.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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