Kitten with skin problems

miakitty

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Hello, I am new to the forum, but I suppose not new to cats. I have one 15-year-old who is uncreatively name Kitty (but does come when called) and just aquired a 5-week-old kitten now named Mia.

I work at a pet store and this last Friday morning an individual (without using any words that might be considered improper) threw a kitten in a small box out of there their truck as they drove by - without stopping. This was of course 5-week-old Mia. She was covered in flea, so I gave he a bath with dish soap as I know the flea shampoo is too much for her at this point. Her skin was covered with scabs, which I figured was from all the flea bites. Her belly was bloaty (worms I am guessing.)

That next day my boyfriend brought her to the store to get the visiting vet to deworm her. The vet didn't say anything about her skin except to watch out for ringworm, though it didn't look like it.

I have been watching her skin thinking since I have not seen a flea one since the bath (I inspect diligently as I know fleas too well) her skin should slowly start to improve. It seems to be just as bad if not getting worse. She is itching and scratching at it, I don't blame her. It looks like dry flaky old skin all over her body with scabby bumps. She is losing hair is her elbow area and top of her head now. I have never seen anything like it, so I am not sure what to do. I know with her being this young there is also very little I can do. I have cleaned her ears twice since Friday and they are filthy again, there are possibly ear mites. The only thing I know of they have to be 12 weeks to have. None of this is affecting my older cat, Kitty. (except that there is an annoying kitten bounding around)

Certainly I as this is not fixing itself I am likely going to wisk her to a vet, but I wanted to see if someone might have a thought or experience to give me some idea.

Other than her skin she eats and drinks fantastic, uses the litter box, is quite vocal, and an extremely active kitten.
 

stephanietx

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It really could be anything from ringworm to food allergy to flea bites. The only way to determine what the cause is and the best way to treat it is to get her to the vet as soon as possible. Also, if she was severely infested with fleas, she may be anemic and need some treatment for that. Was she also treated for ear mites? Whatever you do, don't use ANY over the counter flea baths or medicines! Those things are lethal.
 

ldg

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First of all, welcome to TCS. I'm so sorry this is what brought you! But THANK YOU for rescuing this baby!


Originally Posted by stephanietx

It really could be anything from ringworm to food allergy to flea bites. The only way to determine what the cause is and the best way to treat it is to get her to the vet as soon as possible. Also, if she was severely infested with fleas, she may be anemic and need some treatment for that. Was she also treated for ear mites? Whatever you do, don't use ANY over the counter flea baths or medicines! Those things are lethal.
Any flea treatment is technically a pesticide, and the only "safe" ones are obtained from the vet. I don't know what condition she was in when the visiting vet saw her... but your poor baby is suffering. I'd get her to another vet to find out what it is. It could be so many things. If it's an allergy to the fleas or the treatment she did have, she may need steroids. If it's a fungus, she'll need ... a different treatment. If it's allergies, again - steroids may be in order (though I don't know about a kitty so young). But I think the guidance of a vet is in order here - at least to rule out a fungal infection or skin mites, or fleas, or a flea allergy.....

for your baby!
 
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