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How can I help a stray cat with scabs if I can't take her to a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I recently moved to Costa Rica and there are a lot of stray cats here. Most of them are healthy and seem happy but there is one who sometimes comes to my house who has scabs on her legs and back. They’re really big and crusty. The last time she came she also had some on the back of her head and neck and her hind has gotten worse. None of the other cats have anything like this. I can’t take her to a vet, is there anything I can do to help her the next time I see her?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 4th, 2024

Poor kitty. Unfortunately without having this cat seen for a physical exam and treated once the underlying cause for the scabs is found, you won't be able to help much. Most skin issues in cats involve an allergy, and this will require either medication in the form of an injection that the vet can give or an oral medication that is prescribed. Cats don't really respond well at all to medication found over the counter for skin allergies and most medications that can be tried in dogs are not well tolerated in cats, so we have to be very careful with them. I would recommend trying to trap this kitty somehow so you can take it in to see a vet soon. You can also try to apply a flea preventative (i.e Advantage, Revolution) in case it has a flea allergy that is causing these skin lesions. This may help some, but from your description, this kitty likely also has a secondary bacterial infection that needs to be treated with prescription antibiotics as well.

I do hope that this poor cat can get some medical attention soon! Best of luck and take care.
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 20th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So sorry to hear about poor Lily.

    Small scabs over her back 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 Lily 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.

    Here is some information from a veterinary only website-

    Miliary Dermatitis
    Becky Lundgren (author)

    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

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

    Good luck with Lily.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 13th, 2017

    Poor Lilly! These scabs could be from scratching herself a lot. 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 scratching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 30th, 2017

    Poor Ruby. It could be something else. Itching ca be caused by allergies, food sensitivity, infections, parasites, mites, immune mediated skin conditions, and more. I'd get her to your veterinarian to be checked and have some skin testing done, as well as get some relief for itching.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Stray cat has scabies: Can I treat it at home or should I see a vet?
The first thing I would do is treat her with Advantage or another flea prevention product until you can get her in for an exam. Fleas can cause some of these lesions and she most likely has ear mites also. If you are able to take her in they can examine her ears and skin and give her medication to stop the scratching and antibiotics or an antibiotic injection to treat the skin infection. If she is a stray I recommend a blood test first for feline leukemia and FIV as these are serious cat diseases that there is no cure for and are infectious to other cats. If she is negative for those getting her skin treated and getting her neutered are important for her health. I'm glad you are taking care of Baby as she certainly needs veterinary care. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Baby.
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How to soothe my cat's itchy skin, scabs, and hair loss 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.
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My cat has scabs and is scratching. How to treat her irritated skin?
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Why does my old cat have scabs on her back and tail? Is it fleas?
These scabs could be caused by scratching, and in cats, the base of the tail is a characteristic spot where cats scratch when they have fleas. If Kenchion isn't up to date on her flea treatments, I would get one now. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Hopefully, this will help clear up the scabs. If it doesn't, then she will need to see the vet. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com
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My cat has scabs, is losing fur, and won't eat. What should I do?
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My cat has scabs after fleas. How to heal skin and provide relief?
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My cat has flea allergy scabs that keep returning. How to help him?
I have a flea-allergic cat too and it is very frustrating. Ask your vet about giving her an over-the-counter allergy medication to help relieve the itching. Chlorpheniramine and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are commonly used to help cats with itching. Something else to consider is that your cat may have other allergies that are contributing to the problem. A common allergy is to the protein source in the food. Ask your vet about a limited diet or about getting Boris started on a product like Prescription Diet z/d. This diet is formulated with hydrolyzed proteins, a process that changes the protein in the food in such a way that the body doesn't recognize it as an allergen, and it still provides the nutrition your cat needs to be healthy. Also, consider asking for a recommendation to a veterinary dermatologist. They have more and better testing available to them as well as specialty education in skin problems that may make them better able to help you and your cat.
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