How can I help a stray cat with scabs if I can't take her to a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I recently moved to Costa Rica and there are a lot of stray cats here. Most of them are healthy and seem happy but there is one who sometimes comes to my house who has scabs on her legs and back. They’re really big and crusty. The last time she came she also had some on the back of her head and neck and her hind has gotten worse. None of the other cats have anything like this. I can’t take her to a vet, is there anything I can do to help her the next time I see her?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 4th, 2024
Poor kitty. Unfortunately without having this cat seen for a physical exam and treated once the underlying cause for the scabs is found, you won't be able to help much. Most skin issues in cats involve an allergy, and this will require either medication in the form of an injection that the vet can give or an oral medication that is prescribed. Cats don't really respond well at all to medication found over the counter for skin allergies and most medications that can be tried in dogs are not well tolerated in cats, so we have to be very careful with them. I would recommend trying to trap this kitty somehow so you can take it in to see a vet soon. You can also try to apply a flea preventative (i.e Advantage, Revolution) in case it has a flea allergy that is causing these skin lesions. This may help some, but from your description, this kitty likely also has a secondary bacterial infection that needs to be treated with prescription antibiotics as well. I do hope that this poor cat can get some medical attention soon! Best of luck and take care.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 20th, 2017
Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So sorry to hear about poor Lily. Small scabs over her back 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 Lily 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. 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 Lily.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on March 13th, 2017
Poor Lilly! These scabs could be from scratching herself a lot. This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the scratching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 30th, 2017
Poor Ruby. It could be something else. Itching ca be caused by allergies, food sensitivity, infections, parasites, mites, immune mediated skin conditions, and more. I'd get her to your veterinarian to be checked and have some skin testing done, as well as get some relief for itching.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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