Why does this stray cat have bald spots, dry, itchy skin, and wounds?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
A young, stray cat is wandering around my home and I am curious as to what she might have before I feed/pet her. She has dry, itchy skin and bald spots on her head, above her eyes, and a bit on her neck. In addition, she also has some wounds in these dry spots. I think I’ve noticed some dandruff on her back as well but other than this she seems healthy.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 11th, 2020
This looks like mange but it could also be ringworm or a bacterial skin infection. If she is handleable I suggest you get her to a vet for an exam. There are many low cost clinics in your area including the Humane Society. It would be great if she could be spayed and vaccinated too even if you plan on just putting her back outside.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 13th, 2017
Hello. I am sorry little Marley has a rash on her belly. It does look like a bit of a skin infection. Underlying cause for this could be allergies (environmental, food, fleas, etc), moisture, or that she is lying in something (does she crawl on the ground outside in the wet grass- even just moisture on the skin can do this). I would do 1 of 2 things, 1- get a collar so she doesn't self-trauma make it worse and see if it resolves in a few days, or 2- bring her to the vet now while it has flared up, and have them look to see if she has fleas, or any other underlying cause. Good luck with little Marley.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
There is a community cat that floats around our neighbourhood. It has a ten cents size patch on the back of her neck. I gave her two doses of worming medicine to see if that might help but it seems to now be bothering her more and it seems she is scr
It may be a ringworm lesion which is actually caused by a fungal infection of the skin that is often itchy, can spread and and can easily be transmitted to people. Ideally she would be examined by a vet (wearing gloves/you should wear disposable gloves too if you handle her) and prescribed a topical anti-fungal lotion/liquid and and oral anti-fungal if diagnosed as ringworm. Both of these medications are usually prescription only. Other possible causes of hair loss of include mange, a hotspot, or trauma/an abrasion/bite etc. As ringworm lessons are usually very circular, I do recommend being very cautious about handling her. Your local shelter may be able to provide some assistance/advice as well re: lower cost medical care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hello.A stray cat, about 4 years old, has had kittens > three times.3rd time was a month ago, but has lost all, since she left to give birth& upon return stayed with us, not returning to her kittens, searching around the house & crying.We left for 2
Mange would be the most likely cause of hair loss in this area, however ringworm (a fungal infection) can't be ruled out as well, and even a significant flea infestation can't be ruled out. If you've applied flea drops, hopefully that got rid of all of the fleas. She'll need a couple of tests to determine whether this is ringworm or mange. Medications to treat both of these conditions are prescription-only in the US, so I'm not sure what to tell you as you can't access a vet, but you might try a pet shop in your area, as in some countries these medications can be sold over the counter.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our cat,a stray,probably a year old condition is sinking.I have seen same case happen with another stray cat of ours which sadly died..symptoms are dry and flaky skin on the head,shaking of one of the legs when it lifts,a little shaking of the head
This is so sad. This cat needs a vet in order to even find out what could be causing his skin disorder and shaking so that we know what she needs to hopefully recover. Based on your zip code, I was actually able to find veterinarians near you that you could call and get help for this poor stray kitty. See the website link below. https://www.google.com/search?ei=WTQJXLOOH47asQWLlJ6gBg&q=veterinarian%20in%20india%20784509&oq=veterinarian+in+india+784509&gs_l=psy-ab.3...12235.19296..19644...0.0..0.81.449.7......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i22i30j33i22i29i30j33i160.Hhu7P8k1-Ac&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=26684552,92044117,13788&tbm=lcl&rldimm=9495299778648385500&ved=2ahUKEwi7tKait4vfAhUKbawKHZ7RBLgQvS4wAHoECAAQEw&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2#rlfi=hd:;si:9495299778648385500;mv:!1m2!1d26.7362521!2d92.1887713!2m2!1d26.632852399999997!2d91.8948187;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2 The skin looks like possible demodectic mites or even just a fungal infection. The skin h
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi..Please tell me what is happening to this stray cat..it doesn't completely open its eyes and I feel a rough skin on its head when touched , like bumps..it also scratches its neck and head..is it mange..? Plus its mouth looks dirty..it fights with
It does look like Mu has mange and even possibly a severe ringworm fungal skin infection as well. The eyes being semi-closed may be due to the mange/ringworm infection of the eyelids causing swelling/discomfort or he may also have an eye infection/conjunctivitis as well. Topical monthly flea products for cats called Revolution or Paradyne are often effective against sarcoptic mange and would be easy enough to apply to Mu. Ringworm lesions are usually circular areas of hairloss but can progress to covering large stretches of skin and look similar to how Mu looks in the pictures. Both diseases can be transmissible to humans and Mu is likely not rabies vaccinated so I would recommend avoiding handling/touching him without heavy gloves. If you are able to bring him to a local veterinarian or shelter, they may be able to provide Revolution, vaccinate him against rabies, provide a topical ophthalmic antibiotic ointment if indicated and look more closely in his mouth, as well as perform diagn
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I took in a kitten that was a stray cat baby.. I feel I've gotten in over my head.. but I don't want to give up.. the kitten I believe has mange.. his ears are super crusty and had bald spots.. please keep in mind that this kitten didn't have these s
It sounds more like he probably has ringworm. Very common in kittens. If you don't have the funds to properly care for him then you should relinquish him to the local shelter/humane society so he can get the proper care. I don't mean to sound harsh but this is a kitten and will need vet care through it's life so you really need to make a plan to have money or a credit card set aside for his care if you plan on keeping him. You could also check into getting him some pet insurance. The humane society in your area may have a low cost vet clinic you could take him to. ( https://www.houstonhumane.org/clinic ) ( https://northlinevet.com/ ) ( https://www.thrivevet.com/locations/texas/houston/fm-1960-w/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=web ) ( https://trupanion.com/ )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She comes to eat in the early mornings, I don't see her for a week or so. About a week ago I saw her with a serious problem on her skin where her fur is falling out and her skin is extremely red and infected. I cleaned her with flea shampoo, clean
Poor Taba! These look like severe hotspots which are ulcerated area caused from excessive scratching. She likely is having a bad reaction to fleas, allergies, or it could have just been a small wound that has progressed due to her messing with them. This could also be secondary to mange. It doesn’t look like typical ringworm which is usually really crusty. I would put a little neosporin on those areas and if she will let you, put a cone collar on her to prevent her from licking/scratching those areas. I would also try to confine her to an area so the cone collar doesn’t get hung up somewhere and so the wounds stay clean. I would not use hydrogen peroxide again as it will slow healing if used continuously. You can try giving her Benadryl to help reduce the itching. See link below. Your vet will be able to get her a steroid shot and antibiotics to help these area heal. Your vet will also be able to look for the cause and see if she needs to be on a high quality flea preventative or other
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
There’s this cat that’s been hanging out on my back patio for about a week now. He’s really sweet and friendly but he’s got this bald spot on it neck with some redness in some areas. Sometimes it clear and sometimes the redness comes back and I was j
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. This does not look like ringworm. It just looks like scratches or abrasions. If he is stray he most likely has fleas that is causing him to scratch that area. If he will let you apply medication you can use this product (linked below) on the affected area. Apply as many times as he will let you. Also, if you can get him treated for fleas that would nice. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-cat-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-3-fl-oz-2659685 ) ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/advantage-ii-once-a-month-topical-small-cat-flea-treatment-6-mo-5-to-9-lbs-3036244 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
A stray cat showed up on my doorstep this morning, completely bald on head and shoulders, with some small scabs here and there. Could this be caused by fleas? I bought some Frontline and thought I'd try that to see if it helped. He's thin but with a
How lovely of you to look after this cat! Yes, it is possible he has fleas causing this baldness, but he could also have mange or ringworm causing it. The Frontline is a great idea, but I would also have him seen by a vet for a health check. If you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, you can take him into the SPCA who can get him veterinary treatment and find him a home.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi we have a cat that refuses to come indoors. She often disappears for periods of times and though fed everyday she hunts and eats animals. Today she cane back and the side of her head is bald and weeping. Is this the result of a fight or a flea all
I'm sorry but those things can't be distinguished between from a photo. It could be from a fight or some other type of injury or it could be from parasites (like fleas). There is no way for me to tell. You are best off taking her to the vet (or have a mobile vet come to you). Regardless of the underlying cause she is going to need some treatment (probably antibiotics at the very minimum). Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my name is Milling, I have a question there's a stray cat around my street, I named her Baby since that's what she responds to and he or she has a bad case of scabies and I was wondering if i can treat it at home or is it better that I take s/h
The first thing I would do is treat her with Advantage or another flea prevention product until you can get her in for an exam. Fleas can cause some of these lesions and she most likely has ear mites also. If you are able to take her in they can examine her ears and skin and give her medication to stop the scratching and antibiotics or an antibiotic injection to treat the skin infection. If she is a stray I recommend a blood test first for feline leukemia and FIV as these are serious cat diseases that there is no cure for and are infectious to other cats. If she is negative for those getting her skin treated and getting her neutered are important for her health. I'm glad you are taking care of Baby as she certainly needs veterinary care. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Baby.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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