Cat scratching his face to bits

[MrsCatE]

We noticed on Friday that LittleBeast was scratching around his ears. This escalated rapidly to his eyebrows and corners of his eyes. He is scratching himself raw.

We had online (Zoom) vet consultation yesterday (couldn't get vet access at weekend) and they recommended collar and anti bac spray - both arrived this morning. Cat got collar off in 3 seconds.

We've now put him in his carrier with the hope that a few hours of restricted space will stop the scratching cycle and aid healing.

Obviously, will try and get him to vets first thing.

He's an indoor cat however, we take him out in the garden on a harness. I doubt he's been bitten or stung because the scratching is symmetrical so assume mites or strange allergy? Definitely not fleas.

He's up to date with all his shots, eating, drinking and toileting as normal.

I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks x

Grab the doughnut of doom from amazon also zyclene from pets at home might chill down the cat and make him a bit calmer? I've had good results with youcalm but it can cause upset stomachs so I wouldn't want to add to your problems

@Theunamedcat many thanks. We have the antiseptic spray and doughnut of doom - he got the latter off in 3 seconds! Really grateful for any suggestions!

He's beautiful ❤️ he's not fed felix cat food by any chance? Or anything made by purina? (Such as gourmet).

My cat relentlessly itched, went a little bald from it between his legs and his third eyelids would flare up, I heard that many cats were suffering with this all fed cat food made by purina. Stopped feeding him gourmet in my case and he recovered! Just thought it might be worth a mention.

Oh no! Will it be another trip to the vet? Steroids normally work wonders and do so very quickly.

Thanks. He's fed Lilly Kitchen wet food and a mixture of Royal Canin and Lilly Kitchen dry. He does have cat 'crack' treats I.e Dreamies and sticks.

He has a follow up appointment booked for tomorrow but may have to take him in today. Very sore and now bald.

My cat was scratching her face until she bled, found out she had teeth problems causing her pain. She had to go in for teeth cleaning, investigation.

Is he eating ok? If he isn't, maybe look at feline orafacial pain syndrome. As that's how my cat started acting.

It's not well known in cats who have Burmese in their genes. We had to see a specialist. It starts off because of their teeth and this causes issues with the nerves in their face they literally try and tear at their face due to pain.

Couldn't get good picture. I've been stuck to him like glue but he's still managed to open up and make it worse plus now has hole by his ear. On way to Vets.

Thank you all. I wish I'd seen the advice re oral facial syndrome. We thought he was tearing around his eyes and ears but found he'd taken a couple of clumps out under his chin. However, he's eating and drinking well plus toileting as per normal. Very angry that we're not taking him out into the garden!

Bless him! Hope you get some answers!

Poor cat, he is a beauty and I can imagine how difficult it is to stop him scratching.

Beautiful cat! He needs a proper buster collar, I can't think why the vet wouldn't give you one? My cat is very prone to allergies and wears a 10cm buster collar every night and whenever he has a flare up. The allergies are mostly under control using low dose steroids and Anicura gel (needs the collar on so he doesn't clean it off). Occasionally he'll scratch too much and cause himself an injury needing antibiotics or drops.

My cat used to eat Felix, I suspect it was that which caused the initial allergy but it's never gone away. He's now on hypoallergenic cat food with occasional single-protein wet food so he doesn't get bored.

They need to do a skin scrape and have it analysed.

Thanks all - I've asked vet re gel. I thought I'd updated. Pic (if it uploads) was yesterday morning. We took him back in then - ahead of today's planned review because so much worse; despite me monitoring him as much as I could - only loo and shower breaks! Vet originally advised against a collar - we'd already tried the Donut and he got it off in seconds. Wounds are healing - slowly - not weeping but he's so miserable! At least he's eating and toileting. Now feeding wet food from a flat saucer and placing dry food directly onto the mat. I've seen him drink. I've asked MrCat to liaise with me to take the cone off for midday meal so he can have a break. It's awful not being able to do more.

Does anyone have advice on how long to keep collar on? Vet said just leave. Cat is now scratching collar constantly and am sure will soon get a claw under neck fastening. Also, he pooed outside his tray (no way near it) luckily in a box I had next to his toys. Has weed fine in litter tray.

I'd try and keep it on for another couple of days. Wounds are often itchy while healing, so you don't want him scratching for that reason.

Re: missing litter try, cats show upset/stress in different ways and the litter tray can be one way of showing it. Hopefully the accident was a one off, but when he's better things should get back to normal.

I would keep the collar on until he's completely fully healed. I know it's horrible (been there with one of mine) but if he scratches before the sores are healed you're just going to end up back at square one.

I had a cat who ended up needing a complicated spay and she kept ripping her stitches. She ended up being stapled and had to have the cone of shame for two weeks - we had to tie it on her with string around her collar to keep it on her head. It was horrible and she was so miserable but nothing else worked, bless her.

Obviously, poor cat hasn't been able to wash himself since collar clamped on. I'm brushing him but does anyone have experience of doing bonkers stuff? I'm thinking of warm wet flannel followed by drying towel or am I completely insane?

Poor puss.

Try warm wet flannel to wash, its a two person job as one person is going to hold their hands over the cats eyes and Keep them covered at all times. The washer will have the basin and washcloth ready and a towel or whatever to dry after the wash. If they can't see if isn't happening. Brush well afterwards. I usually use my hand for covering eyes by hooking thumb under the chin and the other 4 fingers are eye covera

As cinnamonfrenchtoasf says - leave it on. Have been through this regularly with my cat over about 10 years as she gets seasonal itchiness. If you take it off cat will just rip the scabs off again. I cut the latest buster collar down so it was just big enough she couldn’t reach her face but small enough her whiskers were out and she could see around the sides. It made her a little happier. We just wiped her down with a damp cloth each day, especially after eating when she would normally groom herself. Is he on oral steroids now? Our cat was on them over spring/summer for years until they stopped making a difference. Now she is on Atopica off and on which is very effective but not good for her long-term as it is an immunosuppressant.

I'm really grateful for any advice. Poor LittleBeast is miserable and I'm the same. I'm practically with him 24/7 but just wish I could help more. Pissed off with Vet - meant to specialised re cats but has been basically crap - particularly re weekend 'emergency' cover.

Littlebeast is gorgeous @MrsCatE I hope he feels better soon.

My DS says a clean wet toothbrush is supposed to mimic a cat being washed by it mum.

And I guess at least your fingers are that little bit further away from any flying claws.

Many thanks @Cornflowers35 to you and your son - I will try. He had a good sleep (stuck to me like superannuated hot water bottle) but you can tel miserable. Also, only had one poo and that was out of the tray however using it go wees?