My cat is scratching, losing hair, and has red bumps. Is it mites?

Hello! Sounds like you are doing a great job trying to sort this out! What I usually do in these cases, is treat for mites and fleas regardless of whether we are seeing them (sometimes pets are allergic to a certain parasite, so they itch like crazy with just a few fleas, which could be hard to find on exam). Not sure which products you have in Australia, but your vet would know what is safe for your cat! (here, I would use something like Revolution!). Beyond that, I'm not sure! Some sort of allergy really fits well, but with the new symptoms of head shaking and sneezing, a virus could be brewing as well. Would you be able to call your vet today and ask about a topical flea/mite treatment? (Just make sure it is something your vet recommends-they know your cat best!)

Smores seems like the area is bothering her. Many things can cause these bumps including allergies, external parasites or ringworm (which people can get). Make an appointment with her doctor to get her checked out. There are medications the doctor can give her to stop the itching as well as treat the underlying cause. If you have an elizabethan collar for her, go ahead and put it on her. The licking can make the lesions worse. Make sure that you are also using a reputable flea product. I recommend Revolution or Comfortis.

Hello there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From there description, Bugs may be dealing with a skin infection Or insect bite hypersensitivity. Mosquitoes and fleas can cause bad allergic reactions after biting a cat. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics and / or flea medication. I would get her examined by your vet to determine what the primary cause is so she can receive the most appropriate treatment. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Scratching around the ears or eyes may indicate an allergy, or may even indicate a problem with the ears themselves such as an infection or ear mites (very common in cats). Signs of [ear mites](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/ear-mites/) include dark or dirty debris that is black or deep red in appearance, or you may see other debris that is foul-smelling in the ears. Ear mites and infections usually require a sample being taken by the vet to determine the exact cause, as well as a regimen of [cleaning the ears](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-clean-your-cat-s-ears-what-you-need-to-know/) with a medicated cleaner for 7-10 days. Ear mites can be spread to other pets, so treating any other dogs or cats in the house at the same time is best. If the ears are clear but you are seeing redness, it may indicate an allergy, or even possible problems such as [ring worm](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/ringworm/) (which appear as a red "target" ring that will gradually increase in size over time, and IS contagious to other pets and people). Your vet can provide you with an allergy medication dosage to treat minor allergies, or may ask you to bring in your cat for an exam if you suspect ringworm or other skin infections.

Congrats on your new cat, but I'm sorry Puma isn't doing well! This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

It sounds like Misty might have allergies or a skin parasites. I would recommend another vet visit since the issue has changed since her initial presentation. She may need treatment for infection, parasites, or allergies now. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Skin lesions like you are describing can have a variety of causes, including skin parasites (fleas or mites), an infection (bacterial or fungal), allergies, or another underlying medical issue. I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his skin lesions, so he could start any treatment (antibiotics, anti-itch medications, parasiticide) that he may need. In the meantime, I would clean the area will diluted betadine if possible and then keep it dry, and trim his nails back as much as possible to keep him from scratching at it. Good luck!