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Overweight cat with dry, scabby skin and worms: OTC solutions?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I have an older female car that is overweight. In the last few months her skin on lower back has gradually gotten really bad... it's stabbing up and really dry and very sensitive.. she doesn't have fleas. She might have maggots in her feces.. I try to get her to exercise and lightly brush but nothing is working. I can't afford a vet but maybe over the counter.m.. please help... I love her dearly. Idk what,to do. My number 2604339764

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on November 9th, 2016

This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites.

First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage) and worming treatment. Ideally you should get her to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation.

 If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy.

 Some medications can be given in order to stop the chewing and repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics).

 Some shampoos can be used to improve skin quality and allow normal hydration (EPI-SOOTHE shampoo). There is also a nice topical spray available, it's called Cortavance.

 Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider starting on a long term allergy treatment.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Christie Long, DVM

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on

    I would be very concerned that perhaps your cat's obesity is keeping her from being able to properly groom herself, and that's causing the sensitivity. However, even though you don't think she has fleas, if you're seeing some type of worm in her feces - and based on the lifecycle of the maggot I think it's highly unlikely that these are maggots - but instead are probably tapeworms. And since tapeworms come from fleas, I would want to treat her for fleas before anything else. You can purchase a good quality flea medication at a pet store - Frontline Plus is a good brand - and apply that for starters. If she does have tapeworms, which look like small grains of rice, and are often seen in the feces or around the anus, she'll unfortunately need a prescription dewormer that's available only from a vet. And from your description of the skin's scabbing, I'd say that it's highly likely that she'll need an antibiotic as well.. Neither antibiotics or tapeworm meds are sold over the counter. Finally, consider finding a groomer in your area who can give her a medicated bath, and get her cleaned up.

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