Icky gross scabbing on cat's head, tail, and back?!?

He likely is in pain , cats are masters at hiding pain...

Call the local HS and see if they know of a low cost vet ... I would call every vet in the phone book and decribe the situation...

Poor kitty. Bless your heart for rescuing and helping him !!!!

It's so hard to say what this could be but whatever it is, it seems to be fairly extensive and getting worse. I'd forego the Bactine because maybe something in it was 'stinging' as a result and that's why he took off for a few days. If you're going to use anything, I'd use something like Neosporin (fairly cheap to buy at any pharmacy or walmart, etc).

Do you have a Humane Society or SPCA or some kind of animal rescue in your area? This kitty really and truly needs to be properly assessed by a Vet, there is no other way around it. If money is tight, perhaps you could explain to these sorts of places that you helped to rescue this cat, he's not really yours, he's an outside cat that you try to feed and help out.......you're financially unable to afford a Vet visit; can they refer you to a Vet they deal with who could help? - maybe a Vet who works with them, kind of thing. If this fails, call around to local Vet clinics in your area.....explain the above situation.......ask what it would cost to have the cat seen, could you work out some kind of payment plan; it's truly not even your cat really, just a neighborhood cat that you've been trying to help out, you've already got your own cats.

Failing that, there is something called Care Credit that many on here use when money is tight. I have never had to use it so I can't tell you exactly how it works but from what I understand, you arrange it with the Vet, Care Credit pays the Vet bill and then there are various payment plans to Care Credit, to pay it back....you choice the plan. I think, for instance, if you pay it back over 3 months there is no interest charge. You have to apply for it, though. Many have said great things about it:

http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/

Could be a severe flea infestation that's resulted in severe flea bite dermatitis that's then become infected.......could be puncture wounds that became infected (fight with another cat), could be maybe some kind of mite or fungal infection.........so many things but I bet you a Vet would be able to tell you very quickly what it is and prescribe something good to treat, otherwise it will just get worse........and cats are notorious for hiding their pain.......plus if he's an outside cat and "wounded" like this, it sort of makes him a greater risk for being a target by other cats, which is bad because he's FIV+ and puts them at risk if gets into major fights.

Also, in some areas of the U.S., they have sanctuaries and rescues for cats that are FIV and FeLV+. Maybe you could Google one and see if they have any financial resources to help you. Sure would be good if this FIV+ kitty wasn't out and about. Maybe one would be willing to take him?

Lastly, if he needs antibiotics (assuming you can see a Vet) and is difficult to pill, there is a good injectable antibiotic called Convenia that is intended for soft tissue infections in cats......it's a one-time shot the Vet gives and it lasts for 14 days. Something you coulld ask the Vet about.

If you suspect this is caused by fleas, DO NOT use any "over the counter" / store-bought anti-flea meds/powders/sprays/baths. They are dangerous and toxic and many contain horrible chemicals that have been known to cause seizures, neurological symptoms and death in cats. Why they're still on store shelves (eg: anything by Hartz), no idea. Plus using something that's not Vet-prescribed could be very painful to these wounds.

I can understand your concern about telling organizations that he's FIV+. Well in that case, maybe instead of telling them that he's just a stray outside cat, maybe it would be better to make it clear that he's YOUR cat; an outside cat who doesn't really get along with other cats who you've been looking after for many years. I would think that if someone claims a cat as theirs, no organization can come along and put that FIV+ cat down - it's your cat, you know? Hopefully someone else can comment in this regard.

I did a search on google, trying to find a Feline FIV sanctuary in your area (columbia, sc) but couldn't really find one.......however; I did find a feline rescue that's in greenville, nc (not that far from you, right?) and they deal strictly with FIV and FeLV+ cats; helping to find new homes and foster homes for them. Seems like a really great group. Here's a page from the website that shows their many FIV+ cats available for adoption. perhaps you could contact them (not sure if they're currently accepting new cats now or not, but do ask) and explain your situation and see if they might be able to find a home or foster home for your kitty:

http://www.marleyfund.com/MarleyKitties2.aspx

Go to the "contact us" link on the page to contact them. It's an inspiring website, this group of cat lovers who cares so much about these kitties.

Might be good though if you could get kitty's current health issues somewhat sorted out as soon as possible.......I imagine it might be more difficult to get help from such an organization if they have to start right off the bet paying for Vet care (they're usually tight on funds and operate solely on much-needed donations).

Even if he doesn't do so well with other cats, perhaps someone out there who's got a heart for FIV+ cats (say they previously had one) and would be willing to adopt a new one, as an only-cat. You never do know. I used to have a diabetic cat and I belonged to a feline diabetes forum........and many of the members had diabetic cats for years and once these kitties passed on (not always related to diabetes, most often is was just due to old age, kidney failure, etc), they still had the heart for diabetic cats because they knew how difficult it was for people to want to commit themselves to caring for one, or how unadoptable they were generally deemed (sadly)...so they would open their hearts specifically to a new diabetic cat.