Flea Allergy?

We've been dealing with some sores and scabs on my cats for a couple months now. We've had multiple trips to the vet and they were thinking food allergies. They gave us a shot of Depo-Medrol and sent us home with z/d canned food.

The cat's (open) sores cleared up! We tried NB Duck & Pea food after running out of the z/d because we couldn't afford to buy more. His spots started to come back as scabs, along his back and back hips. Back on the z/d we went but they have not cleared up this time.

Our other cat also has scabs all over his back. Mainly down his spine, around his ears, and back by his tail. The z/d food (we were feeding it to both cats) has not helped him at all.

I started doing some more research since the z/d isn't helping (I'm wondering if it was the shot that cleared up the first cat, not the food). I was reading about flea allergies. They say that scabs along the back is a common sign.

I went out and got a flea comb to see what I could get, but when I comb them, I just keep picking up scabs. Do I just keep trying?


I will be calling the vet again today to let them know the z/d isn't helping.


Any thoughts?


Edit: cat #3 in our house has no sores at all. and all of our cats are indoor only, although we have a field of prairie dogs across from our house.

Having more than one cat with this reaction makes it a little less likely to be a food allergy. But not impossible.

It's pretty easy to bring fleas in if the yard has them. The fleas will sense your body heat and jump onto pantlegs.


The simplest way to rule out flea issues is to use a flea treatment that you get from your vet - Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution. You can also cut up a flea collar and put it in your vacuum and sprinkle human food grade diatomaceous earth in your carpets, if you have carpet.

Cats can also be allergic to other things in the home such as detergents, febreze, and even the additives in their own litter (if you use a scented clay).

One of my cats growing up had the same issue, it was due to fleas. I have also seen this when I worked at a vet tech for many years. Definitely get something like a Frontline or Advantage on all three. Even if your one isn't displaying the same symptoms he may have them too. He just may not be allergic to the flea saliva like the others. I would recommend you treat your yard too so they aren't getting brought in like strange_wings said.

If you rule out fleas completely I would still treat them to be safe. Then look into the household items like strange_wings suggested. My mother-in-laws dog broke out into hives due to Glade air freshener being sprayed.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Having more than one cat with this reaction makes it a little less likely to be a food allergy. But not impossible.

It's pretty easy to bring fleas in if the yard has them.

The fleas will sense your body heat and jump onto pantlegs.


The simplest way to rule out flea issues is to use a flea treatment that you get from your vet - Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution. You can also cut up a flea collar and put it in your vacuum and sprinkle human food grade diatomaceous earth in your carpets, if you have carpet.

Cats can also be allergic to other things in the home such as detergents, febreze, and even the additives in their own litter (if you use a scented clay).

Click to expand...

even one bite from a flea can cause what you describe on a cat with a flea allergy. Treat all three cats (to completely rid, all pets need to be treated) for a few months with frontline plus for cats or revolution for cats, and follow the other advice about going after them in the home environment, if necessary, and see if things improve.

I also agree that other household things can cause allergic reactions.

keep us posted