Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My abyssinian has started to compulsively scratch her nape, causing it to bleed and scab over. Just when it look like it might heal, she scratches it raw again. I've given her a flea bath, had her tested for allergies, put her on a special diet, and she's had a cycle of antibiotics and steroids, all to no avail. She's an indoor cat and there is nothing new or different in our lives that I am aware of. licking and scratching

Any thoughts or words of advice? I feel so helpless that I can't make her better, and she is truly miserable. She can't understand why she hurts, or what that thing on her neck is, and she freaks out like she's trying to run from it, but, of course, she can't, and then she wants to attack it.

Also, when it starts to scab over, I've tried some of that cat first-aid spray, and the stuff that is supposed to ease itchiness, as well as baby oil and bag balm in the hope that the scabbing won't feel so tight and irritable to her, but she can't stand it, and as soon as she can, she starts licking and scratching it and the scab off again.

I have just thought of using some gel from an aloe vera plant I have, and rubbing that on it. Does anyone know of any problems or adverse reactions of using aloe vera with cats?

Any input would be appreciated. TIA

Hi There,

Aloe Vera is toxic to cats so that idea is out.

It might be a good idea to get another opinion, or at least start from scratch, trying one thing at a time. I would seriously explore different diets, not just one. If your cat eats dry food, I would try canned only, as good a quality as you can afford, but I would avoid fish of all kinds. There are several kinds of hypoallergenic diets that can be tried. I don't advise any Hills products because they are full of additives that an allergic cat may react to, even their "special" diets.

I do not recommend flea baths at all. There are so many flea products that you can get from your vet that work well and are safe. You cannot rule out fleas entirely if all your cat had was a flea bath. Even one flea can set up a severe reaction in a sensitive cat.

Just try one thing at a time and give it time to work. That way you will know if a particular thing worked or not.

Regards,
PHKitkat

My Kotti is the EXACT same way. Vet thinks she started out with a flea allergy but NOW my home is sprayed, my yard is sprayed and she is on frontline each month and on capstar too and is itching so she is pullling her hair out.

Natural Balance has a good food - peas and venison and peas and duck and peas and lamb. You may want to give one of those a try as they are SINGLE protein diets.

Unfortunately Kotton won't eat them AND she is way overweight so I am working on her diet first and spraying benedryl on her itches. I am also going to check up on a spray called gentisen (sp?) as it is for itches too!

Let me know if you solve this problem as then maybe you can help me!

-----
Heidi - mom
Kotton - LOVING Ice-blue-eyed Siamese girl
Ben - Houdini of a Spotted Tabby boy
Missy - Tiny Silver/white Kitty bird girl
Panther - Young Black "Master of Da Bird" boy

3 SPECIAL Angels

Minnie -CA LICO Saint of a Kitty girl
Schatzi- LOVINGEST EVER Tuxedo Standard Poodle Boy
Corkie - BEST EVER - cat - & LOVE OF MY LIFE