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Why does my cat have a tail rash, hair loss, and chin bumps? Fleas?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Aegean | Female | spayed | 5 lbs

My cat has developed this red sort of rash on the base of her tail and hair loss on the other side along with small beads on her chin.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 26th, 2020

I see what you mean, poor Kitty! I'm wondering if she is up to date on her flea treatments, as fleas can cause this. If not, I can give you one for her. 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. If she is up to date on her flea treatments, then this may be a bacterial or fungal skin infection. In that case, I'd have her seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Give her vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment. Best of luck.

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    Answered By Chad Brown, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 6th, 2018

    Your cat seems to be having an allergic reaction to something. Here in the United States, when we see a cat with hair loss and itching in the same areas as Lady, We immediately start to think of a condition called flea bite allergic dermatitis. Basically, the cat is allergic to fleas and they’re biting and will cause the body to illicit severe itching. there are also other causes of this hair loss but they are not quite as common. These are things like external parasites (lice/mange), fungal infection, bacterial infection, food allergy, and environmental allergy. Some things you can do immediately are to apply a prescription strength cat specific flea preventative. In addition, for the next seven days, you can wipe your cat down twice daily with a wet washcloth in case it is environmental allergies. But ultimately, more than likely lady needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can make a proper diagnosis by way of physical examination, skin scraping, etc. They will probably start a steroid as well as an antibiotic. Thank you very much for your question. I hope I have been some help.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 12th, 2017

    It's probably because of the fleas. here is the list of the best flea products on the market. Spot ons: Revoulution Advantage Advantage Multi Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats Tablets: comfortis Collar: Seresto ( (ticks as well) House spary: Indoorex

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 10th, 2016

    Yes, you are correct this could be caused by fleas. If Ryze isn't up to date on his flea medication, then you will need to flea treat him. First, I would give him 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 his 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. Other causes of scratching include mites, allergies, and ringworm. If after giving Ryze flea treatment and disinfecting the environment, and he's still scratching, I would take him into the vet. He could have developed a flea allergy causing the scratching, or his scratching could be caused by one of the three things I mentioned above, which the vet can diagnose and treat.

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