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Should I worry about my cat's severe fleas, scabs, and hoarse meow?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female | spayed | 12 lbs

My 8+ year old indoor-only cat has been showing some signs of a pretty severe flea infestation. She’s got rough, scabby-feeling places on her skin that just look like chunks of dirt. She’s been wearing a flea collar since Saturday and has had two baths with Dawn soap. She’s also very hoarse when she meows which is very unusual. She seems to be eating, drinking, and toileting just fine. This was the towel after her bath. Just flea dirt or should I be concerned?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 21st, 2019

Probably just flea dirt and it sounds like she actually has a flea allergy. Flea collars do not work with the exception of the Seresto Collar. One Seresto Collar works for 8 months so it is comparatively inexpensive compared to other products. I suggest you get her some better flea control. You also need to treat every pet in the household to keep them from bringing fleas in the house and you need to treat the house/yard too. I suggest these products. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-3445-seresto-for-cats.aspx ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1389-knockout-es-area-treatment.aspx ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-9065-vet-kem-yard-spray-32-oz.aspx ) Here is some information on flea infestations in cats: ( https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/flea-infestation/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 4th, 2017

    I would personally use one of the oral pills like Comfortis or Bravecto. I like Bravecto because it's newer and the fleas haven't been exposed to it yet so there is no resistance. It is also nice because one dose lasts 12 weeks. All the other products only last 4 weeks. https://us.bravecto.com/for-cats.aspx The Adams spray does not work for long term use and you are just dousing her chemicals every time you use it. It is not bad for spot treatment here and there but I would not use it all the time. I would recommend you use this Flea/tick mousse maybe 1-2x a week. It is easy to apply and not as "chemically" as the Adams Spray. It is more natural. https://www.chewy.com/vets-best-waterless-flea-tick-cat/dp/148050 Also, I know you said you treated the house which is great but I'm not sure what product you used so I will recommend one. You also need to treat the yard. I like this house spray. I find it works the best: https://www.chewy.com/virbac-knockout-es-area-treatment/dp/53856 And I like this yard spray: https://www.chewy.com/advantage-ii-yard-premise-spray-32/dp/103395 You need to stay on top of the yard and house spraying as you know fleas will come into the house. I think you can get all these products in the UK. If not, I'm sure you can have them shipped over from the US. Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again!

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