My cat is overgrooming, losing hair, and has crusty scabs. Why?

Question

I took in a cat 5 months ago from the outdoors...Had her examined at vet and found out she has a heart murmur and has been on medication since...She has been fixed and hasnt had any problems until recently.. She has been grooming herself much more than normal and has had hair loss in the areas primarily toward abdomen toward the back and on her hindlegs...I am taking her to the vet on Monday but just found what looks like a crusty scab on her side on her skin..Any ideas whats wrong with her.help. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old | 8 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Overgrooming is typically caused by itchiness in cats, and a common place cats overgroom when they are itchy from fleas is the back end of their body. If Faith isn't up to date on her flea treatment, I can give you one. 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. Even if she is up to date on her flea treatment, it's still a good idea to have her seen by a vet on Monday. Cats can develop flea allergy dermatitis from heavy flea infestations, especially cats who have been outdoors a lot, and that requires additional medication to treat. If she is up to date on her flea treatments, the vet can diagnose what is causing her overgrooming at her appointment on Monday, such as mites, allergies, or ringworm, and can treat her for it.

My cat is overgrooming, losing hair, and has crusty scabs. Why?

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