Why is my rescued cat scratching, pulling hair, and getting scabs?

Question

We rescued a stray short haired female cat approx 1 year old now, she has thick scabs all around her neck and hind legs, and small scabs on her back near her tail where she also pulls her hair out daily. We brush her as mush as possible. She loves us to brush scabs off on neck but no where else. Scratches them until she bleeds if we don't. What could this be? Will shaving her help? We don't have money for vet. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 7 months old | 8 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

That's lovely of you to rescue Zoey! It sounds like she has fleas, which she would get from being a stray. The fleas would cause excessive scratching, leading to scabs and her pulling her hair out. She will need a flea treatment. First, I would give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash her bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Sometimes cats can have a flea allergy, and you will see scratching even after being flea treated and disinfecting the environment. If she does continue scratching after treatment and disinfection of the environment, you will have to take her to the vet for medication. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com

Why is my rescued cat scratching, pulling hair, and getting scabs?

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