My cat Kirby is about 3 yrs old. About 4 months ago he started scratching his neck until it is raw. He has been to the vet, but I didn't get any answers other than he does not have fleas or ear mites.
He is scratching so bad that he cries. I'm just to my wit ends on what to do. I have read all the blogs but no one is giving me an answer. Is there anyone out there that can help Kirby and I? Thank you.
My two indoor cats had scabs and missing fur. I just used antifungal cream (the generic one from walmart, over by the pharmacy section) twice a day then once a day. They are all healed up now.
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites)...they gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites)...they gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites). They gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
Hi, I just got back from the vet for our third visit about this in a couple of years. Their two main theories are stress and allergy. They said if it ever gets really bad they can refer to a dermatologist BUT! - two visits ago the vet suggested it might be an allergy to fish (!). I had cut fish almost right out of her diet and a few weeks ago absent-minded started giving her it again. Hey presto - hole in the neck. Worth a try. Good luck!
I want to thank everyone who response to my message we finally found a vet that knew what was wrong and it was not good news Kirby has FIV is feline form of HIV. I have never heard of it before today how I wish I would have known before today. Ii had him at vets many times not one ever said anything about FIV or check for it so everybody. Please have Your cats checked. Thank You, Kirby & Dave
We had a cat for 11 years before he passed away of kidney failure, but, he too had the same problem of scratching until raw. His was always the same time of year (October through December) and always top side near the tail area. He too, never had fleas or mites....was a totally indoor cat. The Vet said it was allergies and dry skin which was causing 'hot spots'. She would give him a shot with instructions to return if it did not help. Do not know what type of shot it was, but, it always worked for him on a yearly basis.
My 16 year old cat is scratching herself raw but the location changes. I have taken her to 4 vets and so far the only recommentation has been cortizone shots. It does make her comfortable, but when it wears off she scratches again. I believe it is allergies, but can't determine what. Cortizone is not recommended for long term use, but depending on the problem, it might stop the cycle to releive the itch temporarily.
My cat gets it this time of year and does the same thing. I am thinking it is dry skin, so I try to keep moisturizer or a cream for infection as well on it.
I don't know a thing about cats but maybe he is allergic to his food. My dog had the same problem and it turned out she was allergic to corn, cornmeal, etc. I changed her food to lamb meal and rice and no more scratching.
One of our cats did the same thing... we had the same results with a couple vets too...
Then I went "old time" on her... I got a dollop of bag balm from my grandmother and rubbed it into all the itchy spots. I think what happened with her is she itched... scratched it raw... then itched more when it started to heal... Belive it or not another thing to try is preparation H cooling GEL. I used it on our dog when he got hot spots from a flea allergy... he no longer itches.
I have worked for a Veterinarian for over 27 years, I am a registered R.V.T. Please ask your Veterinarian for a referral to your local Veterinary dermatologist. There are veterinarian's that specialize in all aspects of animal health care. Please do not consider euthanasia, as this is a condition that can be treated. Good luck
Hi. Aaahh, poor little Kirby. My cat had the same problem, and it ended up that she had allergies. She would scratch herself raw and be miserable. She needed to get allergy shots, and it helped. Good luck
My cat scratched until the side of his face was raw. I took him to a vet, and they took a culture. It was infected. I forgot what kind of shot they gave him, but along with the shot I also got a spray (Betagen Topical Spray) to use twice a day. He had to wear a cone until it was pretty much healed. Now as soon as I notice him scratching I reach for the spray to clean the area. If you would like, I could call my vet and see just what his problem was.
Ask your vet if he will give you "Ovaban" for your cat. It is normally usd for dogs, however several years ago I had a cat with a scratching problem which was cleared up by using that med. My neighbor now has a cat with the problem, got her vet to give her ovaban and it cleared it up for her too. She can't get small (cat size) pills anymore but cuts the larger ones down for Muffin.
Buspar is the nongeneric. 5mg - 1/2 tablet, 2x day. OK to crush in a teeny bit of tuna May take a few weeks to see results but it works. OK to take daily regularly as no other side effects Great for other behavorial issues as peeing, nerveousness as well.
Can give up to 7mg daily per my vet/dermie.
My cat has suffered for many years and was misdiagnosed for many years by other vets. When we found a feline dermatologist it was amazing. Kitty is doing great! She is 13 and finally itch free.
My Siamese has allergies. She scratches until she bleeds, licks until she is raw. I took her to a feline dermatologist who did blood work first; then prescribed a buspirone (5 mg 1/2 tab 2x day) for her. Has no side effects but also works well if there are peeing or behavioral issues.
She has stopped scratching and loves that I mix her pill with a teeny bit of tuna for her to take it. Its her special treat. What is good is that after a follow-up visit, my regular vet can refill her scripts. If there is no feline dermatologist near you, mention this to your vet.
If you can, try another vet. I have never seen the behaviour you've experienced in any cats I've owned. However, I am wondering if it has something to do with the cat's ears? My cat gets a buildup of wax in her ears. When massaged, the liquid wax comes out when she shakes her head. It also drained down the back of her throat from her eustachin tubes. Good luck
CHANGE your CATS FOOD! I cannot express this enough. If there is an allergy it is vary likely the food and not only are they likely to be allergic if you are using COMMERCIAL type foods it's a definite for all our pets even if they aren't showing symptoms.
The other is the dry air but also SYNTHETIC Fabrics,the carpet,bedding everything. The SOAPS you use all likely have many chemicals and with all these different possibilities its very likely a Combination not to mention even many products found in Health Food stores have many many bad chemicals in them that cause all kinds of dematitis', DUST MITES irritate my dog. There are tests and solutions for that as well.. www.azmira.com Can give you far more detailed info on the foods & Solutions BEST for your pet!
Ok, I am going to say it is the same thing that my 3 cats have Dry Skin. Always this time of year, always the neck area only. I have a small amount of Cod Liver Oil in a bowl, in their feeding area, and I am finding they eat their food, take a lick or two of the oil, and things improved.
For the cats with open sores; equal parts honey and cod liver oil (a teaspoon of each), mix into a smooth consistency & apply to the afflicted area. This salve has very good healing properties. A friend of mine who was a vets assistant gave me some years ago, and it works for open sores, irritated skin problems, and it is good for their insides.
My 7-month old cat has the exact same problem. Her neck looks worse every week. It's even bloody at times and she's losing hair. We've tried EVERYTHING. We've taken her to the vet 3 times and she doesn't have anything wrong. Nobody knows what to do!
Someone recommended putting her to sleep. Of course it would break my heart if that's what it came to, but I don't know if we should do that or not. HELP!
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Request: Cat Scratching His Neck
Archived on 12/23/2008
I have a 2 year old indoor cat that has been scratching his neck so much that he has an open sore on it. Trust me, he has no fleas. I put one of those funnel collars on him to prevent him from scratching and used a topical antibacterial salve on the open sore. That spot is healed but now when I take the collar off he is doing it again. Anyone have any ideas why he might be doing this?
Thanks. Dan
Answers:
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
He may have some sort of an allergy. Get him to the vet because it could become infected and then you'd have a whole other problem and he could get really sick. (09/08/2005)
My cat was scratching and chewing his front and back legs in the same way (no pests). The vet concluded he is either allergic to something, or he is stressed out. Try de-stressing your cat, especially if you just moved or someone new is living there or something like that.
Also think about whether you might be feeding your cat something new, or maybe you brought in a new piece of furniture or clothes recently that may be made of something or have something in it that he is allergic to (maybe something as strange a throw cushion from a house with a dog, and the dog's dander is still in the cushion -- that's what it was for my cat!!) (09/08/2005)
By
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My cat suffers from Feline Acne and often scratches his neck to an opened wound. It is quite common among cats. My cats acne only acts up certain times of the year, under his chin, on his little fluffy cheeks and around his neck. Hope this helps and good luck:) (09/09/2005)
Are the insides of his ears dirty? He may have ear mites. When my cat had ear mites he scratched his neck and shoulders raw. A good oatmeal pet shampoo may help him also, make sure it's one that's made to use on cats. (09/18/2005)
By wendy
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
Our cat does the same thing. Traced it back to fragrance in her litter (we switched brands and went to the cheaper clump kind). She is fine with non-fragrance and non baking-soda litter. (10/09/2007)
By John Smith
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RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My cat is scratching her neck so much that she made holes in both sides of her neck, no fleas, not sure what it is. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow, but my advice is to every one that wants to know how to keep the cat from ripping a hole back in it's neck (or make it bigger from the constant scratching). A sock doesn't work, and the cat's probably hot; and who wants a satellite disk around the cats neck?
It's simple, at your local Petsmart (or other pet store), there is a product that is sold to prevent your cat from clawing up the furniture, carpet, etc. that is made as an alternative for declawing your cat. In a nutshell,they are little rubber "caps" that are super glued on each one of the claws encasing them to prevent the sharp part from penetrating anything. (yes, it looks like the cat has French tips) well when she scratched holes in her neck, I said why not glue them on the back claws.
It worked, the wounds healed, but she hasn't stopped scratching at it, which is why she's going to the vet. The "caps" are harmless, but don't leave them on indefinitely, because the nail won't wear down like normal, and could grow in a circle pressing back into the paw , causing discomfort to the cat. To remove them simply cut off with nail clippers, but be careful you don't cut the cats "cuticle". So just keep a watch periodically for the cat to have pulled one or two off, just reapply the glue inside a cap, and stick it back on.
By the way, this process is simple with two people,one person holding the cat and the other person preparing the caps, one at a time, and then with one hand pressing the paw to reveal a nail, and using the other to slightly pinch the rubber cap top and bottom to spread the sides open to make it easier to push it all the way on quickly before the super glue sticks to the nail. Then pinch the sides onto the claw to ensure good adhesion.
It's helpful to have a little cat nip handy so when you hurry up and stress out the cat by messing with her feet, she forgets about it as soon as you get done, plus your supposed to hold the cat for five minutes after you glue on the last cap to allow it to dry, and so the cat doesn't pull them off right away.
Good luck with this step after already holding the cat for five minutes gluing stuff on it's feet. Do yourself a favor and buy the $2.00 cat nip while your getting the cat's "booties". (12/09/2007)
By Tim
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
Even if the cat's ears look clean, clean them with a q-tip gently and then put a pinch of boric acid powder in each ear. Do this twice a week and see if the cat stops scratching. Often if a cat has no fleas and is doing a lot of scratching for no obvious reason, ear mites may be the underlying cause. (09/19/2008)
By Spiritwolf
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My cat has been scratching her neck for what seems like years now. She doesn't have fleas, and she doesn't have ear mites. Every year I mention this yet again to her vet during her annual visit, and every year he has no answer as to why she scratches. He says some cats just have sensitive skin. The scratching isn't constant, but it is usually fairly aggressive. It tends to bug me, possibly more than it does her. The amount of scratching is the same year round. Our home is pretty clean: litter box, food bowls, cat perches etc. about as clean as you're likely to find. Dust may be the only thing that ever collects more than a tiny bit. Who knows? (09/28/2008)
