Sick or just a Itch?

[Buumon]

Ok.. next month I am bringing a new kitten into my home. My current Cat is named Shadow, he's 11. He's been feeling lonely lately, so thats why the new addition.

But I now have a problem with Shadow, and I want to make sure he's not sick, because you def can't bring a kitten into a house with a sick cat.

Anyways this has never happened before and its a puzzle to me.

My Cat Shadow, for the most part is very healthy. He has a semi sensitive stomach, but that causes no problems as long as I am careful what wet cat food and cat treats I give him.

Ok the problem is this. He has somehow either itched or ??? a patch on his back. Its narrow and about a couple inches long. The hair is gone from that spot, and there are wounds on it, as if perhaps he itched to much, and a little worse one on the base of his neck. None of these are bad, I'm keeping a watch on them and cleaning them *my cat hates this* and stuff and it looks like they are not getting infected.

My question is, what would cause this? He seems fine otherwise. He's eating and drinking normally and seems the same to me.. but I"m just wondering what on earth caused this... if anyone can help I'd be appricated.

[kitalooclef]

I'm sure Traci will sound off on this soon, but until then, check these previous posts about similar situations:

http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... light=hair

http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... light=hair

http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... light=hair

http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... light=hair

[Buumon]

Ok thanks, but none of them sound exacally like what is happening to my Cat. Oh I forgot to add, he IS indoors, and he has no fleas or such. He's not had any for a very long time. (Like 6 years.)

[Traci]

Please get him to your vet promptly for an exam and so your vet can determine the extent of the scratches. If the areas are lesions or the skin is raw, you need to have your kitty seen promptly. It could be anything from a newly developed food allergy, to an environmental allergy, to underlying health conditions such as hyperthyroidism, or any underlying problem that may be causing pain (excessive scratching can be a reaction to pain, such as organ disfunction etc). Don't dismiss this, it's not normal at all.

All cats over the age of 7 should have yearly or twice yearly full blood profiles with their exams to stay ahead of and to be able to detect underlying disease early on to afford the most preventative and effective treatment. Many hidden health conditions can affect cats, but they are compounded when the cat is older than 7.

What are you cleaning the lesions with? Do NOT use human soaps or shampoos or "natural" ingredient based products on cats. Do not use hydrogen peroxide either as this actually delays healing and agrivates sensitive skin tissue.

Have you used any over-the-counter products on your kitty, such as over-the-counter flea products? If so, NEVER use these products in cats, they are lethal! Flea products should only be recommended and bought from your vet, they are the only safest flea products for cats. If you did use anything like this, tell your vet at once so he can determine if the scratching/wounds are a result of an inappropriate product/serious reaction to a product.

Get your kitty to your vet first thing in the morning for a complete exam and bloodwork. If he has any underlying health condition serious enough that requires treatment, and/or if he is stressed as a result of a health condition, you may need to wait until he is treated effectively and healed before you bring in a new kitten. If an underlying health issue is present, the stress of a new kitten could exacerbate the problem. It may not be anything too serious at all, but don't wait to find out, vet appointment tomorrow please.