Why does my cat have scabs and a goopy ear, even with no fleas?

Question

Cat has scabs all over no hair loss and absolutely no fleas. He does have an ear that is gooky and you can hear the stuff that is in it. Any ideas? Food is no grain. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 10 years and 8 months old | 15 lbs

David Darvishian · Accepted Answer

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Sunny. Small scabs all over his body are indicative of a condition known as Feline Miliary Dermatitis. The causes are many including fleas, ticks, mites, allergies, skin infection, etc. I would advise that you take Sunny into your vet for a thorough history and evaluation (physical exam). Your vet can then advise either diagnostics (lab tests, skin tests including skin scrape, etc, or any over test that is appropriate) and/or treatment for this condition. This condition is treated with steroids (often by injection, long acting), antibiotics, other allergy medicines, good flea/tick products, and many others depending on what your vet thinks is the inciting cause. The ear problem sounds like otitis externa which is an external ear infection and could possibly be related. Here is some information from a veterinary only website- Miliary Dermatitis Becky Lundgren (author) Cats can get a condition called miliary dermatitis, which is the descriptive term used for a cutaneous reaction pattern of focal (localized) or generalized small papules (bumps) or crusts. Miliary dermatitis is not a specific disease. It is secondary to many other diseases. Causes of miliary dermatitis include insect (flea, mosquito, ear mite, etc.) bite hypersensitivity, atopy (sensitivity to aero-allergens such as pollen, mold, house dust mites, etc.), adverse reaction to a food, bacterial superficial folliculitis (inflamed skin follicles), dermatophytosis (fungal disease), feline scabies, mast cell tumors, and pemphigus foliaceus. Flea hypersensitivity is the most common cause of miliary dermatitis. Diagnosis of the root cause of miliary dermatitis may require cytology, skin scrapings, insect control trial, elimination diet, fungal culture, and biopsy. Treatment is based on eliminating or treating the root cause of the miliary dermatitis. Here's a client information guide from Univ of FL veterinary school vetmed-hospitals-smallanimal.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/files/2011/09/Skin-Diseases-in-Cats-client-guide.pdf Good luck with Sunny

Why does my cat have scabs and a goopy ear, even with no fleas?

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