Betty cat's skin all covered in scabs!

[DameDeepRedBetty]

She seems fit and well, eyes nose and coat look fine, she's not scratching or washing anymore than usual, her appetite is normal, however, she is being a bit more affectionate than she used to be. She's a spayed tabby moggy, aged 3 and a half. But on some areas of her coat, there seem to be little scabs at the bottom of hairs/skin surface. In appearance it reminds me of when dd2 had some sort of scalp problem, which our hairdresser recommended Tgel for (it worked). Obviously I can't use Tgel or any other human products on her though...

Anyone got any thoughts? At the moment I'm wondering if it's an allergy.

Bump... basically, should I be carting her to the vet?

One of my cats has scabs all over her skin. Initially it was a reaction to fleas (she is allergic and reacts very badly to them). Now, though, it transpires, she's self harming through stress - other cats in the neighbourhood are getting too close to her territory and freaking her out.

We've been back and forth to vets. They can give a steroid injection which calms the scabs down, but it's hard to break the cycle.

Thanks Freckled. I can't see how they could be self-inflicted on BettyCat, I'm wondering about flea allergy. It's just that there are no signs of fleas on her, or anywhere in the house.

When was she last dosed, Dame, and with what? (You may not have seen any but they can be devious little blighters.)

About five weeks ago - with Frontline Combo.

Looking back, she had a couple of small patches of lumpiness before that dose, which I put down to her active pigeon, rat, blackbird, bat and butterfly killing lifestyle.

It's flea allergy isn't it! [Homer Simpson sound emoticon]

Have heard that Frontline isn't working properly on dogs recently, could it be the same for the cat version? Rather like Full Marks has absolutely no effect on Wiltshire headlice? (bitter experience on this one)

Frontline has stopped working on fleas in some parts of the country - afraid I don't know which ones but you may be a candidate. You'd best get one of the alternates from the vet.

Gah, have still got three pipettes of it in the drawer!

Will call into vet tomorrow.

Thanks cozie.

Advocate, Stronghold or Activyl have been recommended on the board as still effective - and if you're visiting the vets get some Indorex or Acclaim to spray inside the house as well. (And get the hoover out and go particularly for those cracks/edges where eggs might have been dropped and wash all bedding etc. Those are just good practice things.)

Don't let your vet practice feel slighted by the way - some have been wont to if they didn't realize that resistant fleas had made it to their neck of the woods.

Cozie I am surplus to requirements you are well trained.
Yes this sounds very much like a flea allergic dermatitis it only takes one flea hence the need to treat cat and house.

Not at all, Maestro!

My cat developed scabs and its some sort of allergy but we don't know what! Being on a special allergy diet has helped but not cured it. Anyway, just pointing out it could be flea allergy, allergy to flea meds, food or anything else! Process of elimination at this stage.