Weird Scab/growths that no one can identify

[WorriedCatMum]

Hey!
So my cat Duchesse started growing these weird scabs 2 years ago. They started of as one small one on her cheek, but keep spreading around the front part of her body & getting bigger. They’re very itchy as she keeps itching the one under her chin raw. She has them on her cute little head, chest, shoulder and under her chin. I’ve changed all plastic bowls, put her on hypoallergenic food as requested by the vet. She’s itched under her chin so much that she’s had steroids & something to clear any infection. She’s had a cone of shame to not itch, but it just kept growing. I’ve tried disinfecting, all creams from steroid to antihistamines. I’ve taken her to the vets over in so many times, but none of them know what it is. It doesn’t even heal over probably, it just turns into a scab/ growth that keeps on growing. I really don’t think it’s catne because of the rate at which it grows. Doesn’t look like cancer and none of the vets have been worried. I really would appreciate any sort of help, as I can’t find any pics online that look like this & no one recognises it. Any help would be so so so so welcome.

 

[WorriedCatMum]

Oh & she’s acting fine. Eating, drinking, sleeping, tripping me up when I’m in the kitchen. She’s a happy girl, apart from the itching!

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Your cat is beautiful. Unfortunately she is a white cat, so she can be at risk for squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer. That being said, in my opinion (I am not a veterinarian, just speculating here) it doesn’t look like that to me. But, still, keep her out of direct sunlight if you can.

With cases like this that are outside the normal scope of veterinarians, it is best to see an animal dermatologist to get to the bottom of it.

This is the area ( face and neck) that is a classic area for itching with food allergies. I know you have tried the hypoallergenic diet, but I wonder if there is an ingredient in the food that is not normal for cats to be allergic to?

With doing a diet trial, I am sure your vet told you, you need to feed that diet exclusively for a couple of months to see improvement. That means no treats or anything else.

Do you feed canned food only? If she will eat it, canned is best because some cats have problems with carbohydrates. This is of course if she will eat canned food. Some cats won’t, and you never want a cat to go without eating.

When she gets steroids, does it improve? Does any treatment improve this condition?

I would also make sure she is flea free, which I am sure you have.

When did this start?

There is also something called eosinophilic granuloma complex, but honestly it doesn’t look like that either. But, cats can present in many different ways and don’t follow rules.

If she was my cat, I would get her to a veterinary dermatologist specialist for the best outcome.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi and welcome to TCS, despite what brought you here. I agree with all of the above, and that you should go to either a vet that specializes in dermatological issues or an internal med vet. I am a bit surprised that your vet didn't think to try to swab one of those areas, especially when raw, and analyze the tissue, but hopefully a specialist will do so.