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My cat has a bald patch and rash on her leg. What should I do?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old

Hello. Ive noticed a bald patch on my cats front leg. There seems to be some rash on the skin aswel. She has not been outside or in contact with other animals. She seems fine and behaves normally but the rash concerns me. Ive attached a photo

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on July 30, 2017

That rash looks like an area that Nugget may have simply irritated on something, and the has continued to rub and lick making it worse. The best thing you can do is clip the hair around the affected region, clean it with dilute betadine or chlorhexidine solution, and apply some triple antibiotic ointment (with or without a steroid component) to the area several times daily. Do not bandage the area as this will simply trap any bacteria onto it. You may need to fit Nugget with an e-collar to prevent any further self-mutilation to the lesion. It will also slow the healing process if she continues to lick. Hope this helps.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on November 9, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a skin infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 5, 2018
Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal infection). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem.
Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking.

Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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