My cat's skin problem is spreading despite vet care. What now?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think at this point it seems like your veterinarian has tried symptomatic therapy to try to help. I would consider taking a culture of the lesion and using the indicated antibiotics. Also, it would be important to ensure that he is unable to chew or lick at it as that will continue to worsen it. You could consider an e-collar which you may get from your local pet store. If it does not resolve, a biopsy of the lesion should be considered. Good luck and have a good day!

I am so sorry your pet Gaffy has a severe skin issue. It is impossible to tell what is going on here from the photo unfortunately because the lighting isn't very good. However, with any skin condition that won't improve with conservative treatment (i.e. antibiotics, shampoo's, etc) or ins't readily identified, should be tested. Your vet may need to do a skin scrape, impression, culture or even a biopsy to determine the underlying cause so that we know how best to treat this. Blood testing may also be needed to get a good overall picture of your pets health. I hope that Gaffy's skin condition resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.

I would be concerned about possibly a deep bacterial or fungal infection or an autoimmune disease. It would be best if Sebastian was examined by a vet. The vet may need to do a culture or biopsy to make a diagnosis so that he can get appropriate treatment.

I would have to agree with your vet's plan, especially if fleas and ringworm have also been ruled out. Often we just don't get the answers to simple skin problems with simple tests, and we have to biopsy. I recommend submitting the biopsy for dermatopathology - that means a pathologist with special training in dermatology will look at it - and this can mean the difference between getting and not getting an accurate diagnosis. Cats can have some very strange skin diseases, especially around the head, and getting an accurate biopsy will help to get Annie the treatment that she needs.

It is difficult for me to give you much advice without having more information but I will try my best. His skin may be getting worse due to an idiosyncratic drug reaction. The antibiotics may not be agreeing with him. A change to a different class of antibiotic may be all that is needed. The antibiotic he was prescribed may not be the correct one for this particular bacterial infection (if it is a bacterial infection). A culture and sensitivity of the crusty lesions on the head may need to be done in order to find out what bacteria are there and what antibiotic will be most effective. This may be a fungal skin infection (or yeast) and not a bacterial infection) hence why the antibiotic is not working. Antibiotics do not treat fungus or yeast. In young dogs I would be worried that this is a secondary infection of the skin from mange mites. It can be seen in older dogs as well but it is much more common in youngsters. So, I would have your vet do a skin scraping to check for mites. This could be an autoimmune disorder (like pemphigus). A biopsy of the affected area would be needed for diagnosis. That is all I can come up with right off the top of my head. I hope this helps to give you some things to bring up with your vet. Best wishes!

Hi. This looks pretty severe, and it sounds like you have done alot. This could be allergies, food sensitivities, immune mediated skin disease, or more. Since you have been battling this and not much is working, i would recommend seeing a veterinary dermatologist as your second opinion. this would be the most helpful

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Cricket. He appears to have been treated for ringworm, a bacterial infection and mites based in the medications you have listed. Has he been tested for any of these conditions? Typically a fungal culture, impression smears and skin scrapes are performed. This will direct treatment. A food allergy should also be considered and he may require a prescription diet trial. A hydrolyzed diet is a one where the protein source is chopped into tiny pieces so that the body's immune system will not recognize it and therefore not react. This would be my next recommendation. I hope this information helps!