Why does my senior cat have scabs on his stomach and what can I do?

Hi there! The most common cause of excessive itching like this in cats is allergies - either food allergies, or an allergy to something in the environment. You may want to talk with your veterinarian about allergy testing to help identify the source of the problem so that you can put together a treatment plan based on this information. If he's allergic to something in his food, he may need to be on a prescription diet like Hills z/d or Purina HA to help resolve the itching. If he has environmental allergies, you could consider hyposensitization injections or long-term daily medication like prednisolone or Atopica.

This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Bam Bam regularly every month with a high quality spot on (ex. Advantage) as fleas are by far the most common reason for these reactions. If the fleas are not the problem, it could be an allergic reaction to food or an environmental factor. this is more complicated to treat and will sometimes require medications such as Steroids, anti histamines or cyclosporin in order to stop the allergy.

In an older pet who is just now experiencing allergy type symptoms, I would definitely suspect that it could be either the new litter, new food or a combination of both that is causing this. I would start with changing the litter back to the normal litter that you used to use. As for the skin, you can try bathing Billy in a hypoallergenic shampoo (Duoxo calm shampoo) or oatmeal based shampoo. However, Billy may need a steroid shot by your vet to calm things down. If the change in litter doesn't cause resolution of the skin, then I would suggest changing the food back. I hope you can get Billy's skin back to normal soon!

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

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Typically a flea allergy causes scabs at the base of the tail if a pet is allergic. A flea product (from a vet- not over the counter) would not hurt her, even if there isn't fleas. And even if you don't see a flea, it doesn't mean they aren't there. If it doesn't help, she may need an antibiotic if there is a skin infection. Good luck and kisses to Minxy!

It looks like your cat has a skin infection, most likely caused by allergies or fleas. The allergies can be from a protein in her food or to something in the environment, like grasses, pollens, dust etc. I would recommend taking your cat in to see the vet so she can be started on some antibiotics to help clear up her skin. I would also recommend discussing with your vet some options for medication to help control her allergies and itch like Atopica.

Some appear to be infected. This may be from the stress of moving coupled with a new environment and allergens he is not used to. Since they are so wide spread it is best to have him checked for ringworm also. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection and treat the underlying cause.