Should I take my visiting stray cat with bald spots to the vet?

Poor Ollie sounds itchy! This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Best of luck!

If Oliver scratches and grooms himself a lot, he could be itchy. This itchiness could be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an ear condition such as ear infection or ear mites for instance making him itch and cause self-trauma. However, this could also be something like allergies. This cannot be diagnosed just based on a picture and would require a veterinary evaluation. I recommend you consider taking him to a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. The issue could be identified and treated. Good luck and have a great day!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I would recommend having Olly examined by a veterinarian for further testing. What you are describing sounds like it could be an abscess that burst and the contents of the abscess have now dried on the fur. Your vet can examine this area and make the most appropriate recommendations. Olly may need a course of antibiotics and topical ointment. I would have the hair shaved from the area so it is easier to see what the problem is. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

How lovely of you to look after this cat! Yes, it is possible he has fleas causing this baldness, but he could also have mange or ringworm causing it. The Frontline is a great idea, but I would also have him seen by a vet for a health check. If you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, you can take him into the SPCA who can get him veterinary treatment and find him a home.

How lovely of you to look after this stray cat! It does sound like he needs treatment badly for his symptoms, but it needs to be diagnosed first so he can be treated properly. I would take him into the vet if you can so he can be diagnosed and treated. If you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, I would take him into the SPCA. They can treat him and find him a home. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description and the pictures you have provided, this sounds as though Boba may be dealing with an allergy. There is nothing concerning in the pictures. It is difficult to say what the cause is as there are so many things that can cause allergies. I would recommend by starting with the below recommended products. If there is no improvement, I would recommend having Boba examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He may need prescription medication to help with the main problem. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules for cats 2. Douxo PS Calm shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved 3. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to the affected areas until resolved. 4. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent