cats with allergies

[Andy]

there is a neighborhood cat (I won't call him a stray because he's fat and I think he has like 4 people feeding him, just no official owner) that has a bumpy rash on his face.  Last year he had it all over and it's red and he loses all the hair on his ears and on his forehead.  It appears to be coming back.

Has anyone had a cat that has these symptoms?  I'm guessing it's an allergy.  The cat is really friendly, but I'm afraid I might traumatize him if I try to get him into a cat carrier and to the vet.  I'm considering taking a picture to our vet and seeing if they can diagnose from the pics.

[masterofsparks]

One of my cats used to get bumpy around the base of her tail. Our vet told us it was a reaction to a fleabite, where she'd just scratch and scratch until she irritated her skin. However, since we've changed her food, it hasn't happened again, so I'm wondering if it wasn't maybe a food allergy.

[erika]

Andy that kitty might have scabies or some other kind of parasite.

[andrew in philadelphia]

sounds like either flea-related scratching or some type of skin condition.

we have 7 kitties and they've gotten very bumpy in the past during bouts with the fleas.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

im with erika and leaning more towards something parasitic, if not for the mere fact that its losing its hair.  the food allergy seems legit, but would an animal lose its hair?

in any case, it sounds awful.  if it didnt sound weird and infectious, i would take it to the vet.

[Andy]

the only reason I was leaning towards allergy of some sort was the fact that he appears to be effected by it in the summer, but not in the winter.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

hm.

i think if you're confident that whatever the cat has isn't contagious, brave it out and carry him chivalrously to the vet, you hero. 

[Laurie]

I have a cat who is allergic to mosquito bites. During mosquito season, I have to put Skin So Soft on her nose. My vet actually recommended that.

[masterofsparks]

im with erika and leaning more towards something parasitic, if not for the mere fact that its losing its hair.  the food allergy seems legit, but would an animal lose its hair?

Mine did. I don't know if it was a reaction to the allergy or if it was just due to all the scratching.

[Sarah]

I think fleas are likely responsible (and they would definitely be worse in warmer weather, especially since he's homeless).  On the other hand, if he's getting food from all kinds of sources, who knows what weird stuff he's eating; he could be allergic to one or more of the substances he's scarfing.

Also, he might not just be fat:  he probably has worms as well, which could cause some bloating.

[Andy]

he's generally a pretty healthy looking cat, and when I say fat, I really mean healthy looking.

[Sarah]

I bet it's fleas.

[Andy]

I hope so.  I can't do much about his diet, but I would be willing to get him some flea treatment (especially those once a month options)  He's such a nice cat that it haunts me when I'm laying in bed at night.

[Sarah]

You know, if you really don't want to torture him with a visit to the vet, you could just buy some Frontline (or whatever) and start treating him.  If fleas are responsible, improvement will be speedy; if they're not, well, he almost certainly has 'em anyway, so getting rid of them will do him good regardless.  If he's still mangy-looking after a month, then you can start thinking about the vet.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

its too bad you cant adopt him.

there is a black cat that lives at my work and i see him/her/it every morning when i walk in, hiding under cars.  i feed him at lunch, bring him water, then i think about him when im at the store, passing the pet food aisle.