How to help cat scratching, licking, bumps, bald spots before vet?

We often see these scabs, bald spots and itchiness with fleas. If you haven't checked closely for fleas yet, then it would be worthwhile. Here is a link that shows you how: http://www.wikihow.pet/Check-Cats-for-Fleas If you find fleas, then you can purchase products from the per store or from the veterinarian that will kill them. If you don't find fleas, then something else is irritating the skin. Check to make sure that there is not any new bedding, substance or spray that Atticus could be getting into. Also, the skin can become dry and flakey if bathed too frequently or bathed with an inappropriate product. If those tips don't help you solve the problem, then you can give her a little relief with a cool water bath and an oatmeal shampoo for cats. Try to gently remove the scabs, but don't scrub or apply too much pressure to them. Your vet will then be able to help to determine the cause and advise on additional treatment. I hope that helps and Atticus gets better soon.

This looks pretty bad, and unfortunately any OTC creams will just be licked off by Happy. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed. You need to have her seen by a vet to have this treated.

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.

Those spots on your kitty could be just dry skin causing itching bad enough to lose hair (do know that dry skin alone should not cause hair loss) but there are several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection or endocrine disease which could also look the same way. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. That's great that you are using an omega 3 fatty acid supplement this can help improve the skin health. Make sure it is a formula for pets (better absorption) and you may need to squirt it directly in his mouth. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having your kitty wear an elizabethan collar at all times. If the skin does not start improving within 2-3 weeks or if it is getting worse, have him examined by the veterinarian to look for other causes. Unfortunately, lotions and sprays don;t tend to moisturize as well as supplements and diet. There are some moisturizing sprays and your cat will need to wear an elizabethan collar at all times because otherwise he will lick the product. Moisturizing shampoos and conditions for pets are also an option but not all cats enjoy baths and may bite and scratch their owners. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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.

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.

The first step to managing Oden's overgrooming and skin irritation involves determining why this is occurring in the first place. Some cats overgroom due to anxiety or stress, while others pull out their hair while itching due to fleas, allergies or skin infections. Until you can get to the vet, I recommend putting an e-collar (cone) on Oden to prevent him from licking or chewing at his hind end further, as this can only make matters worse. Also be sure that you are using a good quality flea prevention (Advantage is a great option that is available over the counter) on Oden regularly, as some cats are highly allergic to even one or two flea bites. As soon as you are financially able to do so, I recommend taking Oden to the vet. He may need diagnostic testing of his skin, oral antibiotics or oral steroids to manage this condition. Many shelters also offer discounted veterinary services, if needed.