cat scratching, sores and cuts

[tbvb05]

I have an 8 year old cat who has suddenly started scratching and creating sores and bald spots. Unfortunately I cannot afford to take him to the vet. I went to a local pet store and bought some all natural liquid that says it will make him stop and help heal him but it has not worked. I read online that I could give him a bath with baby shampoo. He is an indoor only cat, he does not have fleas or any type of bugs. I gave him a plain water bath a few weeks ago to see if that would soothe him but it did not help. I put bacatracin on the worst of the cuts under his chin. I have clipped his nails. I am out of ideas. I have no tried the baby shampoo yet.
Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do?
Please don't give me the speech about I should not have an animal if I can't afford to take care of it. It is only recently I have been unable to afford the vet.
Thanks for any advice you can give me. I appreciate it.

[slvrwhispr]

As someone on an EXTREMELY limited income, I can commiserate with vet costs. But here's the bad news... your cat is sick. This is most likely an allergy or an infection... and if he keeps creating new sores, he's going to be extremely infection-prone. Without knowing what's causing the scratching, there's absolutely no way we can recommend treatment. You HAVE to find a way to get kitty to the vet because this can become life-threatening.

And please don't use any "natural" products on kitty's skin. Things that are harmless to humans can be toxic to cats, even if they're sold at the pet store. Remember, cats groom themselves with their mouths. Anything you put on his skin will most likely be ingested. No baby shampoo bath, either; it'll most likely just irritate the wounds more, and you don't want to make him even more uncomfortable.

I know you want to do right by your kitty, and I know it's so, so hard when the money is not there, but you must find a way to get him to the vet. He's suffering. Do whatever it takes. Call vets and ask about payment plans, check into Care Credit, borrow money from someone, anything. Your baby is sick and must go to the doctor. [/i]

[tbvb05]

Thanks so much for answering me. I was sitting here trying to figure out if my landlord will wait for rent since I am already behind anyways. I do have to find a way because this is just breaking my heart to see this happening. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I appreciate it.

[Traci]

1) "Natural" products are worthless, they rarely work from the purported claims, and, they are equally as dangerous, since many "natural" products contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.

2) Don't use baby shampoo, it isn't designed for cats. No human shampoo or other products should be used on cats. Cats are extremely sensitive to these products.

3) This isn't a vet clinic, and the ultimate advice we can give you is to get your cat to a vet. Borrow a family member's or friend's credit card to get an exam. Pawn something of value. Take out a small loan from your local credit union. Where there is a will, there's a way, your kitty is depending on you to do the right thing before this escalates beyond control. If it worsens, you'll be paying much much more to treat effectively as opposed to getting this nipped in the bud immediately.

Since your cat is 8 years old, and given the symptoms, you definitely need to rule out hyperthyroidism. Self-trauma, licking, biting at fur, scratching, etc, are all common signs of hyperthyroidism.

I'm not saying kitty has hyperthyroidism, but it's a potential that needs to be ruled out. Left undetected and untreated, this can be a dangerous condition.

IF kitty is hyperthyroid, no amount of bathing, topicals etc is going to help the condition, it requires veterinary oral medication.

Do not use human topicals on cats without your vet's advice. One, they may be too strong to kitty's sensitive skin - Two, they may be inappropriate for the yet unknown condition - Three, they may be totally ineffective for the yet undiagnosed condition.

If your kitty is scratching to the point of open sores, bleeding, wounds that aren't healing, then those wounds are prime areas for bacterial infection, which of course, demands a vet exam, diagnosis and effective treatment.

Don't assume kitty doesn't have mites, etc. There are various types of mites in the home environment you may not even be aware of, such as house mites, food mites, etc. Also, tiny gnats could be getting in through the screens as the fall season brings them in abundance.

Food allergies should also be ruled out, particularly if you're feeding a generic or lesser-quality cat food. Cats can develop food allergies and sensitivities at any time and at any age.

Rule out home environment, like certain cleaners, aeorosols, carpet powders, sprays, "natural" products, etc that could be aggrivating him.

Stress in the environment could also be contributing, such as recent changes in the home, even if certain events happened weeks or months ago. Changes in your routine, your stress level, etc, can all affect cats. Cats cannot handle stress like humans can.

Again, only your vet can determine the problem and to what extent and effective treatment. Stop using OTC products, and find a way to get an exam immediately. I have to stress that the longer you wait, the worse it could get, and you're going to end up paying more in the long term. Your kitty is worth it, he's given you years of love and companionship, you owe it to him to get him checked and get this situation resolved. Please, get him seen immediately.

[slvrwhispr]

I really can relate to the hard times. My younger cat got sick this past winter and ended up having to be put down. Over a grand worth of vet bills later, I'm still struggling to get back on my feet. But I have the peace of mind that I got her the best care I could, even if I couldn't afford it. Good luck, and keep us posted.

PS - we really love pictures here. If you have any of your kitty, we'd love to see them.

[tbvb05]

I called a couple of vets but they "don't do payment plans". I have just asked my nephew for a loan but he lives at the East side of MA and I am on the West side so if he says yes it is going to take a few days to get here.
I have been trying to get a hold of the SPCA to see if they can help but their line is busy constantly. I am still trying.
@Traci I know your site is not a vet clinic. You made it sound like I was just letting him suffer for the hell of it or because I don't care. I know I have had many years of love from him. Any other time there has been a problem he went to the vet immediately because I was much better off than I am now. He is a rescue as are my other two. If I did not care I would not even have bothered to seek out a site that may have had someone on here who had experienced the same problem and could have given me some non binding advice.
Now I feel bad that I even asked.

[slvrwhispr]

Don't feel bad. This is Traci's site; she gets right to the facts, but she has a big heart. She just wants to make sure that her information is clear (she's a vet tech with a ton of knowledge) so pet owners can take quick action. Don't take it personally -- we're glad you're here.

[Tina B and crew]

Agree with slvrwhisper...please don't feel bad for asking. And don't feel bad about falling on hard times, many of us understand. She's right about Traci, she cuts to the point but is extremely well meaning and cares about the animals so much. It sounds like you are doing what you can to get your kitty to the vet so I wish you the best of luck. Having had a cat with skin issues I can attest to how important it is to get to the bottom of it. I've also had two cats with hyperthyroidism and that can be treated with regular medication. Like Traci said, it could be a number of things and a vet visit is really the only way to know for sure. I wouldn't rule out parasites either. One of our cats had an extreme flea allergy and although she was an indoor only cat if she happened to get just ONE flea on her (we had a screened porch, so they were able to get on them that way) she would break out all over. The only solution that helped with that was to use a vet prescribed topical flea repellent like Advantage or Frontline.

Please let us know how the kitty does...I hope you are able to see a vet soon. Slvr is right, we'd love to see photos.

[tbvb05]

He has an appointment on Thursday at 10. Vet does not do payment plans but told me to call about a carecard. Like a credit card for vet visits. He said if I get denied to call this other place. Got denied...no big surprise there so I called the other place and it is a non profit group who help people like me get their animals cared for. They will cover the visit and then when he is diagnosed the vet will call them to let them know what it is and how much for meds if that is what is needed and they will see if they can help me further with that. If not I should be able to do the meds I have a 14 hour paycheck that same day. I would just need to go get it after the visit because they are not ready till after 10. I have a sick feeling it is going to be mange. Just don't know what kind. Will keep you posted. If it is I will have to get meds for other cat since I guess it is catchy.
I will post picture of my "kids" if I can figure out how to do it.

[Tina B and crew]

I am so glad that you were able to find some help to get him to the vet. Don't be discouraged just yet about what it could be. The point is you are getting your kitty seen and hopefully will be feeling better soon!