Kitten rash help!

I had this happen to a cat of mine. I took him to the vet and it turned out that he had allergies.

He was allergic to cats. No, seriously.

Basically what happened was this: he got ear mites, which I treated, but in the process of the treatment he opened up little nicks around his head. Dander from the other cats and himself got into the little nicks, which then became a nasty, crusty rash, which he scratched, which got worse...so forth and so on.

So: wash the cat. Yes, she won't like it but it has to be done. Then, apply an antibiotic topical cream like Neosporin on the rash after drying the kitten thoroughly. Then (and this really helps) make a little bandana type bandage (I cut up a real bandana) for the cat's neck. It not only keeps the cream on but helps to prevent the cat's claws from digging back into the skin and opening up the sores. If you can keep the cream on her (apply four or five times a day) and keep the area covered (change the bandana/bandage twice a day at least) then it should stop the itching and THAT would solve the problem.

Hope that helps.

Parasites, allergies, bacterial, fungal. Washing the cat might help or you can treat it until you are blue in the face and get no where. If you don't know what is wrong with the kitten then you can't properly treat it.
There are payment plans- have your friend call around. If she is freaking out then why would she rely on dumb luck? The longer she waits the worst it will be for the kitten and her wallet.
And don't spray something on the kitten that's not meant for kittens... That goes without saying but I've heard of people who figured they have 'this dog spray' around and try it out... and kill the cat. Sheesh.
Christina, who gets annoyed when people ask for blind advice on the net... /soap box

mscelina said:

Basically what happened was this: he got ear mites, which I treated

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The key point here is you treated the primary problem. And then you identified and treated the secondary problem....

*High-Fives Bahamutchild*

Diagnose, then treat. There are no shortcuts or home remedies without KNOWING exactly what's causing the rash. Any good Veterinarian will give your friend payment options, there are also low-cost clinics.

MidnightMuse, who no longer gets off her soapbox.

As they stated, it could be many things. I had a cat with an allergy to fleas. A single bite and he was an itcy mess. His treatment was aggressive anti-flea measures and steroids for the flare ups. I was a college student and had to take him to low cost clinic.

Call your local Humane Society. They can usually hook you up with a low cost clinic. If your friend loves the kitten, she will have to find a way to have him treated by a vet or she needs to surrender him. The poor baby kitten can't go on like that.

I'm glad the kitty is going to the vet. I hope it turns out to be something with a simple resolution.

Thats very good news.

And a reminder to everyone - Veterinary care isn't cheap, that's a fact, but if you've found a good, reputable clinic, and you're honest and open with them, there's no reason they won't offer you a payment plan if something is really out of reach.

If they don't - consider finding another, better clinic. We have to charge money for this stuff, it's reality, just like your own doctor. But very few are heartless when it comes to budget issues.

Bahamutchild said:

The key point here is you treated the primary problem. And then you identified and treated the secondary problem....

Click to expand...

very true. I did call the vet, who suggested the cream. I came up the bandage bandana on my own simply to try and keep some of the medicine on the cat. So, despite my middle of the night ramble, I really wasn't flying blind.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/cheyletiellosis-in-cats-walking-dandruff-mite/page1.aspx

This disease is very contagious making it more prevalent in shelters, humane societies, boarding facilities and grooming establishments where there are lots of pets. Poor sanitation, poor nutrition and overcrowding can lead to infestation.

Kittens seem to be more susceptible than older animals, but infestation of adults is also seen. Long-haired cats appear to be predisposed.

What to Watch For


Flaky, scaly hair coat (especially over the back)

Itchiness (in some pets)

Redness of skin (in some pets)

Diagnosis

A medical history may reveal a scaly, itchy skin problem on one or more of the animals in the home, often after a recent addition of a new pet. These mites can temporarily infest people, so you may experience an itchy rash on arms, belly, back and chest.


Your veterinarian will do a physical exam, which will probably reveal the characteristic scaly skin along the cat's back. However, not all animals show this distribution of lesions. These mites are large compared to other mites and in cases of heavy infestation, you can see them on the skin with a magnifying glass.

Other diagnostic tests may include:


Flea comb. Combing with a flea comb is probably the most reliable method of diagnosis. The cat should be thoroughly combed all over the body and the scale that is collected on the comb should be viewed under a microscope. The scale may also be placed on a dark background and observed. These mites appear as white specks that move, hence the name "walking dandruff" mites.


Skin scrapings. Microscopic evaluation of skin is less accurate than flea combing in light infestation because only a small area of skin is evaluated. Skin scrapings are often done to rule out other itchy skin diseases like scabies, and the mite may be picked up in the process.


Acetate tape. Impressions of the skin with clear acetate tape can pick up mites, which can then be seen when the tape is placed on a drop of mineral oil on a slide and viewed under a microscope. This method also has the disadvantage of sampling only a small area.


In cases where mites cannot be found, but a parasite is suspected, your veterinarian may elect to treat for the disease and look for a response to the treatment.

Treatment

Although commonly used flea sprays, shampoos and powders may give temporary relief, more aggressive treatment is needed for long term success of walking dandruff mites. Because this disease is contagious, all pets in the home should be treated.

Treatment includes:


Ivermectin is an effective treatment for cheyletiellosis. It may be given by subcutaneous injection or orally. This drug is usually used every 1 to 2 weeks for at least 4 weeks.


Selamectin (Revolution), Imidacloprid (advantage) and Fipronil (Frontline) are topical drugs that are applied to the skin of cats between the shoulder blades. These drugs show promise in treating cheyletiellosis. They are often applied monthly for at least two months.


Lime sulfur dips are effective, although clipping of the hair coat may be necessary in medium and longhaired breeds to get the best results. Dips may need to be done weekly for 6 to 8 weeks.


Sprays containing pyrethrin can be used in weekly applications for 3 to 4 weeks.


Whatever treatment is selected, it is important to treat all animals in the household.

Prognosis

The Prognosis is good with effective therapy and treatment of all pets in the home.

Home Care and Prevention

Treating the home environment may be necessary to prevent re-infestation. Wash all bedding and discard brushes and combs. Vacuum carpets and upholstery thoroughly and repeatedly and spray the house with a flea premise spray.

Although prevention is difficult, there are some steps you can take to lessen the occurrence. Avoid the cat while infested since these mites are highly contagious. Be sure to have any new animals evaluated by a veterinarian before they are admitted to your home. Cheyletiellosis can be contagious to people so anyone handling the pet should thoroughly wash their hands and use appropriate caution.