Scabs on my Cat - why?

dogstarheaven

My tabby (6) has been getting scabs around the front of his body (3 on neck and 3 below collar/shoulders) for the past month, and I don't know what is causing this. There was an outbreak of a flea infestation in the house, but he didn't seem infected when he wasn't scratching incessantly, or was I finding any fleas on him. He was treated in all his life with Frontline, but I've switched to Advantage now since 2 weeks ago.
Do you think it's some sort of skin condition like dermatitis, or perhaps something worse?

Btw, the scabs aren't of the bloody kind, but my baby does like me making extra effort in scratching him carefully there for ages!:o

McKneff

If he is getting scabs then he has had open wounds. Scabs form over open wounds to protect them when healing.
I would certainly take him to the vet to be honest. and soon....

meritaten

Checked his claws? he may have a 'snagged' claw or one grown too long and when he has his nice 'scratch' its actually damaging his skin?

comeandgo

Could he have had ticks?

kazwookie

Get the cat to the vet, for a proper check over.

lidlest

Outdoor cat? If so, he's been getting into scrapes - my cats sometimes have them - as long as they are not big or sore looking , nothing to worry about.

My cat likes me to pick them off so he can eat them :-/

McKneff

They don't have to be big,


Even the tiniest scratch can let in infection.


If you care about your cat, take it to the VET

GwylimT

Maybe fighting or a particularly itchy flea bite, our cat has a cone of shame at the moment so she has been catching herself while trying to claw it off, scabs aren't a problem at all. Our little lady is like the other posters cat, she enjoys pulling scabs off and eating them. When she was neutered she had a little line of scabs after her stitches were removed, she ripped them all off straight away and carried on doing it until the scabs were too small to get hold of.

lidlest

McKneff wrote: »

They don't have to be big,


Even the tiniest scratch can let in infection.


If you care about your cat, take it to the VET

Really? Take your cat to the vets every couple of months for some scratches ? If they are not sore, angry or upsetting the cat , I personally wouldn't because it's ridiculous. BUT if you think they are big, angry looking or you are overly worried because it's the first time kitty has had a few scratches then yes take them.

Oh and to add, I'm not one of those people who refuses to take an animal to the vet, but I was one of those people that used to take animals at the drop of the hat to the vet and it cost me a good few thousand before I realised sometimes wait and see was better.

pogofish

Sounds like he has a challenger for his territory - and he's been defending it successfully.

Aggressor cats tend to get them on the head/shoulders/neck, whilst the losers tend to get them on the hindquarters.

dandelionclock30

If hes been getting them for a month then thats a good while and shows that there might be a problem. I'd take him to the vet and I dont think it will be much. Its not like he will need a major operation etc.