Is this a medical thing on my cats nose?

This is a feral cat I have rescued and am rehabilitating and socializing. Ishe won't let me touch her, but will sit near me on the couch. I noticed this a week ago and it seems to be spreading slowly. I have no idea what to google to see if it is something.

I can't just take her to a vet without it being a huge traumatizing ordeal because I can't touch her or pick her up. So I need to know if it is something before I put us both through all that!

Thanks for any advice!

It's hard, actually impossible to diagnose from afar, but if its spreading one has to consider a fungal infection (ringworm).  This is a treatable condition, not dangerous but technically it can spread to humans and cause a rash.  Don't panic but be aware of this.  She is probably semi feral (will sit near you but not allow touch) and may remain this way for life, or may in time edge towards more sociability.

In the meantime there would be nothing wrong with isolating her in a small room while you deal with this.  Ringworm will usually show up as small red rashes like flat bumps with hair loss on the cat.

Now the following is unusual but possible if you're vet will work with you.  The way ringworm is usually diagnosed is by culturing it in a dish with growth medium over about 10 days (results can come back sooner).  They do this by either rubbing the spot with a clean toothbrush and then rubbing the brush on the growth medium, and/or pulling a couple of hairs).  In order to avoid a vet visit, see if your vet would let you do the toothbrush technique, and then double bag the brush in zip lock bags.  This may be hard to do but easier then taking the cat in.

The bad news is that treating a cat you can't touch is going to be very difficult or impossible.  Imagine giving some combo or bad tasting oral meds or lime dipping the cat?  The good news is that Ringworm is self limiting and in time, (1-3 months?) it will go away.

Also, this may not be ringworm but something else.  talk to your vet.  Lastly, some vet's will perform house calls, and even if yours doesn't, try googling "house call vets" in your area.

Stephen

edit: typos

Thank you Stephen! I'll try and figure out how I can get her to a vet.