Sinbad is scratching his neck until it bleeds

losna · Sep 15, 2014

He's opened up a decent sized scab now, and keeps scratching it open. It looks like his neck is super itchy, but I'm not sure why.

We've examined him for flea dirt, dry skin, rashes or anything unusual, but haven't found anything. Yet he continues to scratch and scratch.

Is this something we should take him to the vet about?

We're not sure if it's a real concern, or if it's just a product of his not knowing how to use his back claws. We're not sure why, but when we got him it was clear he just didn't know how to use his back legs very well. He's slowly learning, but could he be gouging himself because of clumsiness or is there something we should be looking for?

catwoman707 · Sep 15, 2014

Guaranteed it's fleas. Theyre super bad right now.

Flea treat with advantage 11, bet he stops

You don't want him to keep doing this, eventually it will become a skin infection.

stephenq · Sep 15, 2014

Losna said:
He's opened up a decent sized scab now, and keeps scratching it open. It looks like his neck is super itchy, but I'm not sure why.

We've examined him for flea dirt, dry skin, rashes or anything unusual, but haven't found anything. Yet he continues to scratch and scratch.

Is this something we should take him to the vet about?

We're not sure if it's a real concern, or if it's just a product of his not knowing how to use his back claws. We're not sure why, but when we got him it was clear he just didn't know how to use his back legs very well. He's slowly learning, but could he be gouging himself because of clumsiness or is there something we should be looking for?

i agree with @catwoman707 and another way to find plea dirt is to comb through with a flea comb and let the dirt settle on a wet paper towel. If it turns red there you are, but if they haven't had flea medication I would just go ahead and do that.

losna · Sep 16, 2014

Even though his scratching is localized to one spot on his neck? I always thought fleas would be everywhere.

We'll pick up a flea comb today though. I hadn't thought it necessary since they're indoor cats.

miss mew · Sep 16, 2014

I agree. I'm dealing with this very issue with my older cat right now. The area he is chewing up is near his tail though.

stephenq · Sep 16, 2014

Losna said:
Even though his scratching is localized to one spot on his neck? I always thought fleas would be everywhere.

We'll pick up a flea comb today though. I hadn't thought it necessary since they're indoor cats.

Assuming you apply a topical anti-flea like Advantage, make sure to avoid the raw area, and consider instead a single dose of Capstar (pill, given orally or crushed in food) will kill all fleas in 3-6 hours and can be got online or at some pet supply stores (but it won't prevent re-infestations so if your cat continues to be exposed it will need a daily pill.

losna · Sep 23, 2014

Thought I'd update this with the resolution. We took him to the vet today as he's been having several issues, and it turns out his scratching is food allergies. The poor little guy isn't allowed to have rabbit or fish now.

miss mew · Sep 24, 2014

Poor guy

So glad to hear that you've found the cause. Thanks for updating us!

Sinbad is scratching his neck until it bleeds

losna

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catwoman707

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stephenq

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losna

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miss mew

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losna

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