Cat Scabs

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

My parent's cat has to have 3 weekly flea tratements to prevent him getting bitten as he's very allergic. Since doing this new regeime he has had no problems.
As far as the scabs go, I have also been told by several vets (and by mum growing up who had been told by a vet) to pick the scabs to prvent the infection eating down. It's to do with teh way the cats heal I think. Once the scabs ahve been cleaned with salt water (or cooled black tea is also good) they will then rescab but it will be infection free.
Monty was attacked quite badly a few months ago now and had huge clumps out of him (He's fine now) and the vet pulled the scabs off to clean him up. and they then healed quite quickly.

[madkittyrescue]

My previous vet always told me to pick the scabs off and then clean with warm salt water.....he said it stops an infection building up underneath

very true. for deep scabs I always do this and make sure it is clean to prevent infection.  in certain cases infection can develop under the scab and eat inwards without you being aware of it.

if it is a flea allergy make sure treatments are up to date.  Advocate is good for helping to clear up flea allergy.  Also if  very bad convenia injection works wonders for calming any skin inflamation.

I would recommend you speak to your vet if this is an ongoing issue especially if your routine flea care is up to date.

[Gatos]

Hi Liquorice,

Our Howie gets scabs a lot.
Ask your vet to refer her to a feline dermatologist.  If you're insured, the insurance company should pay for it.

Is she an outdoor cat?

G

[Janeyk]

Oh dear  I've never encountered this with my cats so unfortunately I haven't any experience - I'd ask the vet if they've any other suggestions 

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Are you keeping her flea treatment up todate ?

My first cat had this allergy, when it was bad she used to have anti inflammatory injections

[liquorice]

The scabs have come back and she is still scrathing like mad, anybody got any ideas?

[Janeyk]

How is she now Licquorice?

[liquorice]

Well she is allergic to flea bites and or the saliva.

[LadyJane]

Do you know what she's allergic to? 

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Thanks, do you think the bathing will help with the scratching?

Is the allery to fleas ?

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

My previous vet always told me to pick the scabs off and then clean with warm salt water.....he said it stops an infection building up underneath

[liquorice]

Thanks, do you think the bathing will help with the scratching?

[Bazsmum]

My view also was a scab will fall off once healed underneath! 

[LadyJane]

Hmmm surely the purpose of the scab is to protect the skin underneath until it's ready to be exposed?  Picking them off will just leave a hole in the skin which will then be prone to infection?

I have to say I'm no expert though.  I can understand the bathing but I'd be wary of removing the scabs.

[liquorice]

Hello

Further to my other topic, our cat has been scratching alot, so we took her to the vets and she just has an allergy, the vet said to bathe the scabs around her neck and pick them off. I am not sure about this, will they re-scab???

Thanks