The cat scratches itself until it bleeds. Why do cats itch?

Diseases leading to the appearance of sores on the skin of a cat

Let's look at the main diseases that lead to the appearance of crusty sores on a cat's skin.

Allergy

The sore due to allergies was strongly scratched by the cat.

Allergies in animals are caused by various irritants:

food;
elements of the external environment (pollen, dust, mold);
medicines;
saliva of blood-sucking insects, such as fleas;
hygiene products.

It is important to determine what exactly causes the cat's allergies. For proper treatment, it is necessary to exclude the animal from contact with the substance that causes the painful condition. Allergies are treated with antihistamines. The dose is prescribed by the veterinarian.

Attention! It is important to know that if a cat has fleas, the animal is treated with special means. For example, insecticidal drops are applied to the animal’s withers.

Follicle

Follicle.

Follicle is a disease that occurs as a result of staphylococcus damage to the animal’s body. It is treated with antibiotics and immunostimulating drugs.

Eczema

Eczema is a skin disease that develops due to stress, infectious diseases, and diseases of internal organs.

Eczema.

An exacerbation of this disease occurs in the autumn and spring periods. The disease is treated comprehensively: medicated shampoos, protection from stress, immunostimulating drugs, vitamins, and a balanced diet.

Why does a cat scratch behind its ear until it bleeds?

After hunting fun in nature, dirt and remnants of “prey” remain . This leads to an unpleasant odor. By licking itself, a cat not only removes foreign objects (dirt, food, etc.) from its fur, but also smells.

First of all, the cat washes its face and ears. But sometimes an animal literally “tears” its own ears: it constantly pulls them with its front and hind paws, shakes its head, and rubs its ears hard against various objects in the house.

If a cat scratches behind the ear until it bleeds, it means that the itching and/or pain is very strong. You need to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Prevention of itching: does it exist at all, and what can be done?

Itching is caused by various factors, so following a number of prevention rules will help protect your cat from scratching:

Poison worms in a timely manner. This will also help protect children who constantly play with animals. You should not give your cat raw foods: fish, meat.
After each walk, inspect the animal for abrasions. Treat detected wounds with iodine or other disinfectants.
To avoid infection with parasites, the cat should not be allowed to come into contact with other animals.
Disinfect the cat litter box regularly.
The transition to a new food should be carried out gradually.
Do not punish your cat for minor offenses: this will prevent stress.

To prevent various dermatological diseases accompanied by the formation of ulcers on the body in cats, preventive measures are practically the same. This includes maintaining the animal’s hygiene, keeping its sleeping place clean, organizing a balanced diet and timely treating the pet with antiparasitic drugs.

Dermatological diseases of cats caused by microorganisms

Attention! It is important to know! Dermatological diseases in cats can be contagious to people and other pets.

Microscopic organisms enter a cat's skin in various ways and cause various dermal diseases. The animal's fur becomes contaminated with dust or an animal walking on the street comes into contact with its relatives.

Ringworm

Ringworm is an infectious disease caused by microscopic fungi (microsporia, trichophytosis). They produce huge numbers of spores that are widely distributed throughout the environment. This disease often affects kittens and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Traditional method of treatment

Ash is mixed with vegetable oil. The areas affected by the disease are lubricated with iodine, and a mixture of vegetable oil and ash is applied on top. Treatment lasts 1–1.5 months. The hair around the affected areas is cut off.

Natoedrosis

Natoedrosis is a parasitic disease caused by small mites infesting the animal's dermis.

Natoedrosis in a cat.

It manifests itself as inflammation of the skin, first on the head. The animal's sore spots itch. The cat scratches the itchy areas and scabs appear. If treatment is not started on time, the disease will spread further throughout the body.

Sarkontosis

Itchy scabies in a cat looks like this.

Sarcontosis (pruritic scabies), the cause of the disease is microscopic mites. The disease develops rapidly. The main signs of the disease: skin lesions, hair loss, itching.

Demodicosis

Demodectic mange is a disease caused by microscopic parasites that are present in all cats.

A cat suffering from demadecosis.

They multiply strongly under favorable conditions. If the cat is weakened or the animal is young, this disease may develop. It is insidious with relapses.

In case of diseases caused by microorganisms, the animal is isolated. Things that the pet has come into contact with are disinfected. The animal is washed with ceratomic (dry) shampoo. Then apply sulfur ointment. It is applied to the affected areas of the skin once or twice a day. The ointment has antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. It also has a softening and exfoliating effect.

Attention! It is important to ensure that your pet does not lick toxic medications used for treatment!

The main reasons for scratching the ears

As a rule, ear diseases are accompanied by changes in the surrounding fur. It becomes dull, rolls into lumps, and becomes wet from inflammatory exudate.

Sulfur plugs

It is necessary to regularly check the ears for the presence of dry discharge, and remove accumulations of wax with a tightly rolled cotton or gauze swab (plastic cotton swab). The external auditory canal in cats is wide, so caring for the ears will not be a problem.

Ear mites (otodectosis, or ear scabies)

Ear mites in cats belong to the group of invasive ear diseases.

For more information about scabies, see here: what scabies looks like in a cat: first signs and treatment.

The disease usually occurs after contact with sick animals (the tick is especially often transmitted from an infected cat to kittens). A small mite attaches to the hairs of the external auditory canal, gnawing through the epidermis. This parasite feeds on blood and lymph. The integrity of the skin is compromised: first there is liquid discharge from the ears, then blood crusts appear.

Mite waste products irritate skin receptors. The ears begin to itch - the animal becomes restless. A secondary infection (viral, bacterial, fungal) is layered onto damaged covering tissues, which can result in suppuration and even sepsis.

Ear mites, like many parasites, are most active in the warm season. Regular examination is the most reliable method for detecting skin parasites.

Diagnosis of otodectosis is made by collecting contents from the ear canal and examining it under a microscope.

Otitis

Inflammation of the external auditory canal, which can “spread” to the inner ear. Discharge from the ears begins: at first it is liquid and colorless, then it becomes thick and purulent, often with an unpleasant odor. The cat tilts its head to the side of the affected ear. Sometimes damage to the ear canals can be bilateral.

Ear tumors

Polyps and other benign tumors can grow from the tissues of the ear canal, blocking its lumen. More often they occur in young individuals (up to 4 years old). It is important to “catch” and remove the tumor before it becomes malignant and metastasizes. Ear canal cancer is more the prerogative of older cats. But, fortunately, it rarely occurs.

Head and ear injuries

Head injury in a cat. Injury near the ear.

Fights with neighbor cats, falls from heights, and impacts with objects can cause ear damage. Such conditions are easily diagnosed - after external influences, as a rule, the wound is extensive and extends not only to the ears, but also to any area of the head.

Foreign objects

Examination of the cat's ear to look for foreign objects.

While walking, insects, plant particles, and sand can get into your cat's ear. Every time after your pet goes outside, you should inspect its ear canals.

Water got into ears after swimming

After swimming, water could get into the ears. Therefore, veterinarians recommend using special caps while bathing.

The cat is worried and intensively shakes its head from side to side, trying to remove fluid from the ear canal. After the bath, you need to use a cotton swab to “take away” all the water from your ears.

See also: “We bathe a cat correctly at home.”

Skin diseases

Eczema.

Allergic or infectious dermatitis, eczema. Dermatitis can be diagnosed by redness and swelling on the skin, which can be seen when the fur is parted. A characteristic sign of eczema is small bursting blisters with light gray contents on a bright red background, which, when opened, form small ulcers.

If all else fails

The most difficult moment for a loving owner is when he tries different methods one after another, but nothing works. The cat has a sore on her neck, a blood scab, which is also beginning to rot. Until you find the cause, you need to fight at least the effect so as not to trigger the disease. In this case, it is best to choose “Amidel”. They help dry wounds very well and relieve inflammation. But the effect will be temporary, since we have not yet eliminated the cause. However, it is important not to make the situation worse with sepsis, so continue to look for treatment options and in the meantime, keep using the spray or ointment.

The cat has strange scabs on its back

Who can take care of the mustachioed striped ones, except their owners? They are like little children who never grow up and always require increased attention and care. It happens that nothing portends trouble, and suddenly strange bumps or scabs appear on the animal’s body.

This is especially puzzling for owners who never let their cats go outside. But “trouble” in the form of fleas can come from neighbors or on the owner’s shoes from the street. A purulent lump can grow due to the pet being injured by a sharp object or falling from a height.

The cat has a lump on his back under the skin and it hurts when pressed, it burst near the spine, what can I do to help?

The main diseases that contribute to the formation of swelling on the back of a cat: - abscess; - wen; - lipoma, etc.

If the lump hurts when pressed, and when it bursts, pus leaks out, it is most likely an abscess. It is necessary to take the animal to the veterinarian.

A cat has a lump on its back under the skin after vaccination, fighting, growing and hard, what is it and how to treat it

After vaccination, swelling sometimes forms at the injection site. Over time, the swelling goes away on its own; you don’t need to do anything. In very rare cases, if an animal has an allergic reaction, it may require the help of a veterinarian.

After a fight with a cat, a lump may begin to grow at the site of the bite; this is an abscess. Pus accumulates under the skin, the site of the tumor hurts, and the cat won’t let you touch it. It is advisable to take your pet to the veterinarian, he will pump out the pus with a syringe and inject special medications into the sore spot. It is undesirable to allow the cone to burst; blood poisoning may begin, which will lead to the death of the animal.

Why does a cat's back and ears twitch when stroked?

If your cat feels uncomfortable when you pet him, his ears and back may twitch, or he may simply hiss and hide away from you. It’s not a matter of personal hostility; most likely the pet is worried about some kind of disease of the skin or internal organs, or maybe the cat is just tired. Observe him, and if other symptoms of illness appear, go to the veterinarian.

The kitten has strange scabs on its back and how to treat them

Dry crusts or scabs on the back along the spine may be signs of an allergic reaction. Allergies usually occur to flea bites. Try washing the kitten with flea shampoo or, if it is still small, with dust soap. If you have a food allergy, you will need to change the food.

The cat scratches itself until it hurts and bleeds: what to do, how and how to treat it

Itchy skin in a cat can signal the presence of a number of pathologies in the pet, ranging from dermatological diseases to the presence of parasites and diseases of internal organs. Therefore, if unpleasant symptoms appear, you should contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Mr. Cat recommends: general information

Itching occurs as a result of irritation of receptors located on the skin. The appearance of such a symptom may indicate the presence of a pathological process in the pet’s body.

To recognize the presence of this manifestation in a cat, it is necessary to carefully examine the condition of the skin. With regular scratching, claw marks, abrasions and dried crusts of blood form on the dermis. In addition, with a pronounced process, the pet will constantly scratch and lick the affected area.

Due to the appearance of itching, the animal's behavior may change - the cat becomes restless, excited, and an apathetic mood may be replaced by aggression.

Itching not only causes discomfort for the pet, but can accompany serious health problems, so the owner should not neglect visiting the veterinarian. When a symptom appears, you should understand the cause that caused it.

Also read the article why a cat may scratch itself if there are no fleas.

Ringworm (scratching until it bleeds)

Ringworm is a group of diseases of various etiologies, which manifest themselves in the form of small itchy nodules on the affected area of the skin.

Ringworm is a disease caused by a fungal pathogen of the genus Microsporum. The clinical picture is characterized by the appearance of one or several areas of bald patches on the animal’s fur. The affected dermis is characterized by dryness and peeling, the presence of small nodules without exudate. Characterized by severe itching and redness at the site of the pathogen. The size of bald spots varies from small islands to large areas of fungal damage. The infection is dangerous for humans - with close contact with an animal, the risk of infection reaches almost 90%.
Pityriasis rosea is a disease whose etiological factor is infection with a virus and the development of allergies. The nature of the disease is not completely clear. Most often, cats with a pronounced decrease in immune status are susceptible to the disease. Risk factors include advanced age and a period of up to one year, as well as the presence of chronic diseases. The clinical picture is characterized by the formation of flaky pink formations on the skin of a rounded shape on the pet’s skin.
Pityriasis versicolor is characterized by a fungal infection of the stratum corneum of the skin. The causative agent is a fungus of the genus Pityrosporum. Clinical manifestations are represented by the formation of small multi-colored spots on the surface of the cat’s body, and the occurrence of itching. Elements of the rash may disappear when the ambient temperature drops. The disease is transmitted to humans, so if a pet is infected with this disease, safety measures should be taken.
Lice, mites and skin parasites

Pediculosis in cats is most often caused by infestation with Felicola subrostratus lice. Parasites have a piercing-sucking apparatus, with the help of which they pierce the skin and feed the pathogen with blood. During damage to the dermis, the louse injects an anticoagulant compound, resulting in the formation of a local inflammatory process, irritation and itching.

Tick-borne infestation is characterized by great diversity:

the ear mite is localized in the outer ear, but can spread to the inner ear and even to the meninges, causing encephalitis;
Hair mites cause demodicosis. Pathogens are microscopic parasites, which have recently been classified as opportunistic microorganisms. The disease is characterized by the appearance of bald areas on the cat’s body, and the skin becomes pale and dry. Mild forms of the disease can go away on their own and respond well to treatment. In the case of a generalized infection or in the juvenile form, damage to internal organs may occur;
subcutaneous mites cause notoedrosis, cheyletiellosis and other ailments;
The scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the causative agent of scabies. The pathogen lives under the skin, makes passages in it, resulting in severe itching.

Other skin parasites are fleas. Settling on the skin of a cat, pathogens cause inflammation due to bites, saliva getting into the wounds, and decomposition of dead individuals. These parasites can cause an allergic reaction and also infect your pet with dangerous diseases. Fleas carry tularemia, hemobartonellosis and other infectious diseases.

It is important to read about why fleas can appear even on an indoor cat.

Complex treatment

Complex therapy involves eliminating the cause of itchy skin, as well as relieving the unpleasant symptom.

If there is inflammation on your pet's skin, you should use anti-inflammatory ointments that are applied to the damaged areas of the dermis. Ulcers should be treated with various antiseptic solutions - Chlorhexidine, Miramistin.

Depending on the pathogen, the doctor prescribes a remedy aimed at its destruction.

An allergic reaction is treated with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Source: https://MrKot.com/kot-raschesyvaet-sebya

What is a weeping wound, the reasons for its occurrence

This is a wound whose surface is not contracted by granulations and does not heal. It literally oozes ichor or necrotic exudate. The color and smell of the exudate resembles rotting meat slop. It is necessary to distinguish a weeping wound from an ulcer: in the first case, a skin defect occurs as a result of mechanical action, in the second it is only a consequence of some severe metabolic disorders or hormonal metabolism in the body (a good example is ulcers due to diabetes or uremia).

The cat has sores on her back

The appearance of sores in pets always upsets owners. Only a veterinarian can tell why your animal is sick. Let's try to consider the possible causes of cat problems and ways to solve them.

The cat has sores on his back that are itchy and flaky, dry, near the tail and on the neck, what should I do?

Due to the long fur, the owner may not immediately notice damage to the animal’s skin. At first, the animal may simply show anxiety, itch, or eat poorly. Then strange sores appear that itch and peel.

This could be scabies, lichen, or an ordinary allergy to household chemicals or some products that are contagious to humans. To protect yourself and your family from possible infection, it is better to take your animal to a veterinarian and undergo tests to determine the cause of the disease.

The cat has recently developed sores on its back; it hasn’t been there before and hair is falling out; how and how to treat it

Interestingly, a cat’s hair can fall out as a result of nervous stress, for example, during sudden separation from its beloved owner.

The cause of hair loss on the back along the spine is often demodicosis. It is impossible to identify and treat it on your own; only a doctor can make a diagnosis by taking a culture. If left untreated, the animal quickly dies. Bald patches from contact with water turn into wounds.

The cat has sores on its back but the hair does not fall out, what is it?

Owners often complain that sores appear on the cat’s back, they do not bother the cat much and the hair in this area almost does not fall out. Dry scabs are visible on the back, which the cat does not scratch.

In this case, the veterinarian advises treating the cat with the flea drug “Frontline Combo” 2 times, with a break of 2 weeks, and then using it once a month or buying a flea collar. If there is no improvement after 3 or 4 weeks from the start of treatment, further diagnostics should be carried out at a veterinary clinic.

The cat has sores on her back and her fur looks like it has been shaved off.

Ringworm may first be accompanied by hair breaking off, the fur looks shaved, and sores appear. This is a dangerous disease for humans. An unbalanced diet may manifest itself in this way - simply a lack of vitamins or poor food. The presence of worms also leads to decreased immunity and the occurrence of skin diseases.

It is important to take a scraping to make sure there is no contagious disease. Be sure to switch to good food Sheba or Royal Canin, deworm with Drontal for cats.

If an animal has scabies, demodicosis or lichen, the doctor will prescribe treatment with antiparasitic, acaricidal or antifungal drugs.

Why does a cat have sores on its neck and hair loss: 7 reasons

Pathological factors affect the entire body, however, skin diseases most often occur on the neck.

Hair loss in combination with sores occurs for the following reasons:

Presence of external parasites. Blood-sucking insects irritate the skin and a rash occurs. The affected surface itches, the cat scratches the skin until it is wounded. Hair falls out, exudate is released, it dries out, and crusts form.

external parasites in cats
Allergy to food components. Most often, the skin reacts to food that is unusual for a cat - smoked, salted, fried, cheeses, sausages. However, failure can occur when the cat is kept on a mixed diet, combining ready-made food with natural food.

Allergy to dry food
Atopic dermatitis - hypersensitive response to external stimuli: the smell of tobacco smoke, perfume, pollen, aromas of decorative indoor plants, own hair or from other animals. In the summer heat or winter, when the central heating is on, the skin dries out, cracks, and becomes vulnerable to microbes that constantly live on the surface of the coat.

atopic dermatitis
Subcutaneous mites. Ear itches parasitize the inner surface of the shell. Notoedrus - on the outside. With improper treatment or its absence, areas of the skin on the neck are affected, hair comes out, opportunistic microbes attach, exudate sweats out, dries out and scabs form.

Subcutaneous mites in cats
Fungal infections: trichophytosis, microsporia, malassezia occur due to weakened immunity and the addition of bacteria that constantly live on the cat’s skin.

lichen on the body of cats
Stress : a cat gets nervous when a new pet appears in the apartment, a dog chases it, children torment it. Psychogenic stimuli cause itching, scratching to wounds, and hair loss.
Side effects of medications . Your cat may have a reaction to flea drops, collars, vitamin supplements, antibiotics, or medications intended for human use.

What are the signs of various skin lesions and how to treat them?

Dermatological diseases differ in clinical signs, which should be known to all owners of four-legged pets. Therapy is prescribed by the attending physician after diagnostic measures, determining the type of pathogenic microflora, parasites, or source of stress that has penetrated. The photo below shows a sick animal.

allergic reactions that provoke non-stop scratching of the dermis;
hereditary predisposition;
influence of stress, metabolic disorders;
superficial wounds, neoplasms, kidney dysfunction, diabetes mellitus.

Therapy is carried out with antibiotics and local agents - Miramistin, Levomekol, zinc-containing ointments. Medicines are prescribed by a veterinarian.

Subcutaneous mites

Parasites penetrate the skin, causing discomfort in cats. There are several types of ticks.

Otodectosis

Otodectes is localized in the animal’s ears and appears due to errors in caring for the pet. Clinical signs of the disease:

severe itching (scratching appeared);
unpleasant odor from the ears;
dark gray discharge;
skin hyperemia in affected areas;
temperature increase.

The discomfort causes an unbearable desire to scratch behind the ears; in some cats, the pathology leads to the formation of huge wounds. Further spread of the disease provokes inflammation in the outer and middle ear. The pet's balance is disturbed, the head is constantly tilted to one side. Treatment includes periodic cleansing of the ear canals from accumulated secretions and the use of acaricidal drops.

Notoedrosis

Notoedrosis is a mite infestation of the entire body of a cat. Symptoms include the following:

severe itching – the animal constantly scratches accessible areas;
small blisters appear on the face, nose, abdomen, around the ears and groin;
after scratching, the affected area became covered with sores and crusts;
hair has come out in the area where the tick is spreading;
lack of treatment leads to thickening of the skin, drying and cracking, and the formation of a blood scab;
penetration of secondary infection - bacterial, fungal, viral.

Consequences of flea bites

Saliva from an ectoparasite bite leads to obsessive skin itching. The cat itches in problem areas, causing infection. The development of the inflammatory process begins and a rash appears. The animal's fur falls out in clumps, wounds appear on the nose, behind the ears, in the armpits, and the dermis turns red.

In addition to irritation, fleas can “give” your pet helminths. When treating pathology, the fur is treated with anti-flea medications and the cat's bed is disinfected. Itching is relieved with antihistamines, and an anti-helminthic drug is additionally prescribed.

Various types of lichen

The disease is harmless and treatable. Therapy depends on the type of fungal disease and the degree of damage to the pet’s skin:

Cat acne on the chin and other parts of the body

Acne is an acne with the formation of open and closed comedones, localized on the chin, lip and neck of the cat. The disease develops due to improper hygiene care, stress, infections, abnormal structure of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Contact of the animal's lips and chin with a cheap plastic bowl can also cause rashes.

Acne on chin

Acne manifests itself as black dots, the appearance of hard crusts, and slight hair loss. Lack of treatment leads to the formation of ulcers, suppuration of pimples, inflammation and bacterial infection. Antiseptic, antiseborrheic soap and shampoo are used for therapy. The affected areas (chin, upper or lower lip) are treated with Chlorhexidine, Miramistin. For advanced forms of the disease, antibacterial medications and glucocorticosteroids are used.

Other pathologies that cause irritation and peeling of the skin

Diseases that lead to the development of dermatological abnormalities in cats include psychogenic alopecia and Cushing's syndrome. Each pathology has its own symptomatic signs and treatment regimen.

Alopecia means active loss of hair, which occurs under the influence of neuroses: when changing the owner, place of residence, or the appearance of a new pet or family member. Emotional cat breeds are predisposed to pathology: Siamese, Himalayan, Abyssinian. The problem can also occur in outbred felines.

The main symptom of the disease is focal baldness in the groin, abdomen, inner thighs, and sides. Alopecia rarely occurs on the neck. In areas where hair has fallen out, there is no hyperemia, sores, or crusts. Therapy involves getting rid of the source of the problem or minimizing its impact. To suppress stress, Amitriptyline, Stop Stress, and Cat Bayun are used.

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing's syndrome, is rare and occurs due to an excess of cortisol. Large volumes of the hormone accumulate during treatment with corticosteroids, neoplasms in the adrenal cortex, and lesions of the pituitary gland. Clinical signs of the disease:

constant thirst, frequent urination;
persistent hunger, increased abdominal volume;
atrophic muscle changes, lethargy;
thin skin, wool creeping out.

Therapy uses drugs that suppress cortisol production. Some animals have their pituitary gland or adrenal gland removed, or radiotherapy for the tumor process is prescribed.

The cat scratches itself until it bleeds and is very itchy

The cat itches until it bleeds, why? What causes severe itching?

If the cat is domestic, it does not go out for walks and does not come into contact with other pets, and has never suffered from fleas, then there may be several reasons for itching:

The appearance of helminths.
Bacterial skin inflammation.
Ringworm (ringworm).
Lice, mites and other parasites that live on the surface of the skin.
Allergic reaction.
Hormonal imbalances.

And now about each of the reasons in order.

Worms (helminths)

It is enough to drink from a puddle once, and the whole family will be infested with helminths.

If you do not regularly vaccinate your animal against these parasites, they can spoil your pet’s health. When worms begin to multiply in a pet’s body, the following symptoms appear:

Itching in cats in the butt area . The cat rubs its butt on the carpet and often licks itself there.
Digestive disorders , changes in the animal’s taste for food.
The coat loses its natural shine and the skin begins to peel.
In inflammation and souring of the eyes .
The cat's behavior is changing . If she was active, she becomes indifferent and apathetic, and vice versa...

Worms are contagious to all cats. Even a small kitten can become infected with them, for example, from its mother. In order to avoid such torment for your pet, regularly give your animal preventive measures with special medications.

Inflammation due to bacteria

Inflammation of the eyes.

This kind of inflammation has virtually no symptoms. The most basic sign of this problem will be constant itching in the cat in all parts of the body.

Pyoderma

Pyoderma can make your cat scratch until it bleeds.

This is a bacterial infection of the skin of a cat. Pets with weak immune systems and animals consuming low-quality cat food that contains few vitamins and microelements are most susceptible to this disease.

Pyoderma can be calculated by the following signs:

Sudden hair loss in a cat.
Acute and pronounced itching.
Peeling of the skin.
Small ulcers with cloudy liquid inside. If you don't pay attention to them, they will spread throughout the body very quickly.
Scabs on the skin.

Most often, this disease penetrates the surface layer of the skin, but in cats with little or no hair, it can penetrate deeper into the skin. This disease requires immediate treatment, otherwise it can be fatal.

Otitis (ear inflammation)

Most often, otitis media appears as a result of the accumulation of wax in the ear, in which microbes begin to multiply.

An advanced case of purulent otitis in an outdoor cat. Severe itching and scratching will not take long to occur!

Ear inflammation is very dangerous and it is better to detect it at an early stage to avoid surgical intervention in your animal's ear. The very first symptoms of this disease will be:

The cat's behavior changes
Your pet shakes its head frequently
The animal constantly scratches its ear
When pressing on the ear, the cat experiences pain

If you notice these symptoms in your pet, take him to the doctor immediately!

Ringworm (scratching until it bleeds)

Ringworm that the cat scratched until it bled due to itching. Ringworm is very dangerous!!!

If an animal has contracted ringworm, its skin will have a number of changes:

The appearance of bald patches of skin on the ears, paws and back
Ulcers appear on bald areas
Ulcers become covered with scabs
The cat's mood changes, and she constantly scratches the areas of skin with foci of the disease until it bleeds.

Ringworm can be cured both at home and in clinical settings. But read about this in another article. The main thing is not to delay the treatment, otherwise the cat may become completely bald.

Lice, mites and skin parasites

Lice cause severe itching.

All of these parasites can cause severe itching on a cat's skin. In addition, peeling of the skin and hair loss may begin. To avoid baldness of your pet, it is necessary to rid it of these parasites in time, or to prevent their occurrence.

Allergies

Often a symptom of an allergy is severe itching. The cat scratches its face and ears, sometimes even until it bleeds . In addition, the pet can lick and bite its own limbs. If you notice such symptoms in an animal, do not rush to think that he has gone crazy, but rather consult a veterinarian.

Severe allergy to food. Because of the itching, the cat scratched its face until it bled!

The most common allergy is food. But in order to find out exactly what product the cat’s body reacts to, the doctor will prescribe a special diet that will help find out.

Hormonal imbalances

Such problems in cats happen quite often, but it is better to know as much as possible about them in order to exclude them as the cause of severe itching.

Thyroid gland dysfunction . Causes hair matting, flaking skin, itching and even baldness
Cushing's syndrome . The cat is experiencing severe itching. The skin loses elasticity and becomes dry. Possible partial baldness on the sides and back of the animal
Diabetes . It manifests itself as itching, dry skin, loss of shine in the coat and the appearance of small bald patches.

What can sores on a cat's back mean?

There are several causes of back pain in cats. The most common:

Fleas, when biting a pet, leave wounds that, although tiny, can be very itchy. The animal scratches the affected areas, which aggravates the situation. The risk of infection cannot be excluded, which leads to the formation of sores. Fleas are the most common cause of such troubles.
Allergies can also cause sores in cats. It can be triggered by food, household chemicals and hygiene products, dust, smoke, etc. In addition to skin lesions that itch, other symptoms may be present - watery eyes, nervousness, digestive disorders, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge. Quite often, taurine, which is part of some cat foods, provokes an allergic reaction.
Ringworm. The sores with it have a characteristic appearance. This is not a rash, not nodules, but spots with bare pink skin, which over time become covered with brown dry crusts. They fall off over time when the animal scratches the sore. As a result, the wound becomes wet, often bleeding, and is very annoying for the pet. Ringworm tends to spread quickly and take over larger and larger areas of the unfortunate animal's body. Its other name is dermatophytosis (dermatophytes are fungi that cause the disease).
Demodicosis is diagnosed if sores appear on the cat’s back along the ridge. The development of this pathology is provoked by mites, which, when they get under the pet’s skin, begin to destroy the dermis with their vital activity, and as a result, serious lesions appear. The disease is considered dangerous. May lead to death of the animal. It cannot be treated in advanced stages.

Of course, with all these diseases, sores can appear not only on the cat’s back, but also on the skin of the neck, ears, head, tail and other parts of the body. However, their development often begins from the back.

What to do if your cat is losing hair and has sores?

Parasites on a cat's body

If the owner notices sores on the pet's skin, it should be examined. Diseases do not require immediate contact with a veterinarian, and in some cases the felinologist is able to help the pet himself. Examination of the fur reveals scurrying insects, as well as their excrement in the form of black dots and whitish eggs. The most convenient option is to apply Spot-on drops to your back and let it dry to prevent licking off. To relieve itching, use antipruritic sprays Stop-Itching or Contravance.

Diet

If there are no ectoparasites, the diet should be analyzed. Stop treats, stop begging. Change the food to a hypoallergenic one, for example, dry food based on lamb and rice. If the diagnosis is correct, improvements become noticeable after 14 days. The situation is more complicated for adherents of natural products. You will have to replace all the components of the food with those that the cat has never eaten. Choose a vitamin and mineral supplement. In such a situation, it will not be possible to do without qualified help.

Animal conditions

At the same time, they analyze the conditions of detention. Place household chemicals in places inaccessible to the animal. Stop smoking in the presence of your pet, and you may have to stop using new cosmetics. Use a humidifier. They remove ornamental plants to places inaccessible to the cat or make a choice in favor of one of the two creatures. Regularly carry out wet cleaning and vacuum thoroughly.

Itching mites (subcutaneous)

If you suspect infestation with tick mites, use the same drops that are used to expel fleas, only more often. To relieve itching, antihistamines are used: Suprastin or analogues, or Stop-itching in the form of an oral suspension or spray. The use of potent acaricidal agents is carried out after consultation with a veterinarian.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections are eliminated under the influence of antimycotics. Most often, in this case, not only the neck, but also other parts of the body are affected. The best option is to treat the cat with Imaverol. External agents in the form of ointments and oral drugs in the form of tablets should not be used independently.

Ringworm is not something to joke about; children, as well as adults with weakened immune systems, can become infected, so the best option is to go to a hospital.

How to eliminate stress

To eliminate the stress factor, it is necessary to have a conversation with children so that they do not torture the animal, and also to influence other pets who terrorize the animal. To calm the cat, they are given oral medications: Stop-Stress, Kot Bayun or Vetspokoin.

Drug intolerance and allergies to drugs

If you notice that the fur has begun to fall out and sores have arisen, you should stop taking the medications and inform your veterinarian.

Diagnostics

The veterinarian’s task is to identify the cause that triggered the allergic reaction. It is very important to provide him with complete information about the living conditions, habits, nutrition, stress suffered and other facts of the cat’s life that can directly or indirectly affect the current problem. After collecting a general history, the following diagnostic measures can be carried out:

A test to identify fleas, since they often provoke the development of miliary dermatitis. Using a special comb, the doctor thoroughly and thoroughly combs the animal’s fur, after laying it on a white sheet. In addition to the fleas themselves, flea excrement can be found, which, when released into the water, turns it red.
Checking for the presence of skin parasites is also done by taking a scraping. The procedure is performed with a scalpel (blunt side), after which the skin sample is examined under a microscope. An alternative is to use a special transparent tape that is applied to the affected area and then viewed on a glass slide.

To exclude/confirm a bacterial or fungal infection, a smear is taken from the problem area and examined in a laboratory setting. To obtain reliable information about the crop taken, it takes an average of 10-14 days. During this time, the required number of culture samples grows, which are used to identify the presence of a particular fungus.
A stool test can help identify intestinal parasites.
A general blood test is taken to determine the level of basophils, eosinophils, as well as other indicators indicating the presence of autoimmune disruptions and hormonal disorders.
If a food allergy is suspected, a diet plan is drawn up, according to which all possible allergens are excluded from daily consumption. Over the course of 2-3 months, foods that made up the cat’s basic diet are added to the food. This way, one (or more) ingredients that are the source of an allergic reaction are identified.

If all of the above examination methods and tests did not help determine the cause of the disease, then additional tests may be prescribed - in particular, to identify a reaction to certain antibacterial, steroid and other drugs. The option of performing a skin biopsy of the animal cannot be ruled out.

What actions should I take?

Sores on the back along the cat’s spine (as well as in other places) cannot be ignored. The animal needs help. It all depends on the reason.

If the owner is sure that the cat is being attacked by parasites, and the sores are caused precisely by their bites, the animal should be treated for fleas. Today there are enough products on sale that will help quickly solve the problem. The wounds themselves can be treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.

If you suspect that skin problems are the result of an allergy, you can try to review your pet's diet. However, it is not always possible to guess which product caused the reaction, and time passes, and the cat needs to be treated. Therefore, it is better not to take risks, but to immediately show the animal to a veterinarian. He will take tests, determine the irritant and tell you how to deal with the cause of the sore.

This also applies to other situations where the lesion on the back is similar to lichen or demodicosis. You should not engage in amateur activities. Professional diagnosis is required, and then serious treatment. It often involves taking antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial drugs.

Only competent advice from a specialist, complex therapy and the caring hands of the owner can quickly alleviate the cat’s condition and eliminate sores without consequences.

What is the problem?

It’s very sad to see non-healing sores appear on a cat’s neck. Therefore, the best option is to take her to a veterinarian. However, it is good if you live in the city. True, in this case the person also faces a problem: veterinary clinics charge for their services, which not everyone can afford. And in small towns and villages there may not be a veterinarian at all. Therefore, let's look at the main reasons why sores appear on a cat's neck, and ways to combat them.

Indeed, it often happens that insects choose the neck as their favorite area for life. Therefore, the cat intensively scratches these places with its claws. As a result, if action is not taken, things will take a bad turn. Itching provokes scratching, and small sores appear on the cat’s neck. But the insects do not stop their activity and continue to bite the animal. As a result, scratching continues, dirty claws can become infected and an abscess begins.

What should the owner do? Examine the animal. If he has fleas, then their locations should be visible on the neck and near the tail. Adult insects and their eggs can be found. In this case, you need to treat the animal for insects, and then treat the wounds. You can use a special collar or drops on the withers. Once the source of the itching is eliminated, it will be much more effective.

Diagnosis of scratching and itching

Itching is probably one of the most unpleasant sensations that can only be relieved by scratching. It has been proven that a person can become psychotic if they experience itching and cannot scratch themselves. Itching in an animal is a clear sign of skin damage, although it can occur before obvious symptoms appear. In veterinary medicine, as in human medicine, itching is distinguished depending on its nature:

Localized – one or more specific places are itchy, for example, scratching appears only on the face or on the neck and cheeks.
Generalized – when the cat’s entire body itches.

If you notice that your cat is scratching hard, you need to consult a doctor, because even in a veterinary clinic, it is very difficult to establish the correct diagnosis. Typically, the doctor suggests conducting an examination by scraping the skin, treating the cat’s scratching and observing the dynamics.

Laboratory analysis of scrapings should reveal the causative agent of the disease, but this does not always happen, since the causes of itching are not always “on the skin”. For example, stress can lead to a generalized type of itching, the cause of which cannot be detected by any analysis.

Note! When visiting a doctor, you should collect at least a minimal analysis, because if, in your opinion, the cat is itching a lot, the doctor must be sure that this behavior is not related to hygiene.

For example, during shedding, cats itch more and lick themselves more intensely in order to improve blood circulation in the skin and get themselves in order.

It’s a little strange, but in fact, many owners turn to the veterinarian because the animal has scratching, bald spots, wounds, but without itching. That is, the owner did not notice that the cat was scratching more than usual and believes that the scratching occurred on its own. Sometimes, the owner notes that the four-legged dog did not itch more than usual, but washed itself very intensively and had bald spots - this is the result of licking.

Hypothetically, this situation is possible, but in practice, it is most often associated with itching. An experienced veterinarian can easily distinguish between a scratch and a licked wound, that is, he will determine that the cause of the problem is itching. In the case of licked wounds, a completely different diagnosis is carried out , since the causes of their occurrence are not so varied and obvious.

Allergic reaction

If a cat has blood sores on its neck, then you need to think about what this might be connected with. Perhaps you recently introduced a new food into your diet, underwent a course of treatment, or purchased a vitamin complex. Then an allergic reaction cannot be ruled out. Only a doctor can make such a diagnosis, because the symptoms are too vague. Itching, hair loss and scratching can indicate dozens of reasons, including diseases of the internal organs.

However, food allergies are just one option. Pollen and house dust, mold or household chemicals, and hygiene products can provoke such a reaction. Today there are many allergens in the environment, and it will take you a very long time to look for the true cause on your own. However, in order to make a diagnosis, you can undergo a course of treatment with antihistamines. If as a result the condition begins to improve, then you are on the right track. Now all that remains is to find the source of the allergic reaction, and the problem will be solved.