Hi everyone, I wanted to get your thoughts before booking a vet appointment. I've just noticed that my cat has a tiny scab on his skin; it’s really small and feels a bit like a spot. It's located between his ears at the back of his neck, as shown in the first photo. He’s scratching that area a little bit, but it doesn't seem to bother him too much and I don't think he's in any pain. \/p>
As you can see, just touching the area causes the scab to flake (shown by the little white specks on his fur). \/p>
Could you give me some advice and let me know what might have happened to my cat please? \/p>
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Translated from French
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Hi,
My 5-month-old kitten has been living outdoors with other cats, and he has loads of scabs along his back. Is it serious?
Do I need to take him to the vet, or is it something I can treat myself?
Thanks so much for your replies, they’ve been really helpful! I’ve checked my cat’s coat and skin and couldn’t find anything, which is very reassuring. If I spot another scab, I won’t hesitate to book an appointment with the vet.
Hi there,
More often than not, scabs are caused by fleas, but sometimes there’s another underlying cause. Food allergies, dermatitis (skin infections), eczema, stress, or even skin tumours—there are plenty of possibilities, and each one requires its own specific treatment. If you’re in any doubt, don’t hesitate to check in with your vet; they’ll be able to give you a definitive diagnosis and provide the right treatment.
In the meantime, have a good look through your cat's coat and skin for any signs of fleas, and make sure to use a flea treatment if they aren't up to date.
If things don't improve after that, you'll definitely need to take things further and see a vet. Plus, if it's left untreated, it could end up getting worse.
I hope this helps.
Have a lovely evening,
Paul
Mine had those sorts of scabs around his ears and under his neck. There wasn't any oozing or anything, just scabs, but I'm glad I didn't listen to the people around me and didn't wait to take him to the vet, who diagnosed him with dermatitis. It’s a minor condition that’s very easy to treat if it’s caught in time.
Anyway, just a bit of advice: if you notice one or two more, don't hesitate to get him checked out.
I haven’t noticed any change or anything this morning. I’ve only had the cat for a week and a half, and the scab appeared yesterday. The previous owner hadn’t given him any jabs or anything, so he isn’t on any flea or worm treatment – is that a worry? Especially since he’s an indoor cat.
I’ll use some Betadine, you’re right, that’s a good shout, thanks.
Hi there,
It doesn't look like a spot, but just a simple scab from some heavy scratching.
I don't think you need to see a vet for this, unless you notice it changing quickly, signs of infection (like a nearby lump or the wound weeping), or if more of these lesions start appearing.
Is your cat up to date with their flea and parasite treatment? You can disinfect it with an antiseptic like diluted Betadine, and apply some honey (or green clay if you don’t want the fur to get sticky).
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