Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

A little background--I've had my cat for about 5 years. For at least 3 years before that she was feral. Imagine a wild wildebeast crossed with a mountain lion and that was my cat

Fast forward 5 years and she is a sweet, loving, yet still petrified cat. Only I (and my mom) can touch, hold, cut her nails or pet her. And it's on her terms, when she wants. There's little cuddling and she is scared of everyone and everything except for me. I've worked so hard with her but there's not much more I can do.

A few days ago while I was petting her I found what seem to be scabs and matted hair on her back. It's hard and I can pick some off but can't figure out what it is. It's a reddish brown color. After I touch it a while, she gets annoyed. I can't seem to break it up with wipes, brushing, etc. It doesn't seem to bother her and she doesn't touch it on her own. It's about 2 inches long and an inch wide.

There's NO CHANCE of getting this cat in a carrier and bringing her to the vet. Even if I got her there, she's so petrified that she'd have a heart attack. She's never been in a cage or to the vet except when we had her cared for before we took her in.

Any ideas or advice? It might be nothing, but what if it's something? I want to help my little girl, but don't know what to do

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

I don't know what it could be but if it's been 5 years since your cat's been to the vet, i think it's time for a visit, no? I've never been a cat owner, only dogs but I am assuming cats also need yearly shots etc...

Maybe you can call a vet clinic near you and explain the situation. I'm sure they deal with feral cats and difficult patients and may have some tips to get her in? I don't know if they would prescribe her sedatives without ever having seen her but you might be able to get them for the next visit.

Good luck!

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

I am not sure what it is but I googled a little and it could be parasites from what I am reading or like you said, it could be nothing. I completely understand where you are coming from, Lenny (my cat) freaks out going to the vet...to the point where he pees all over and then goes into hiding for days after. What about having a vet come to your home? I know there are some vets that make house calls, a friend of mine uses one. Let me know if you would like me to get the info from her.

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

thank you ladies!

she's an indoor cat so I can't imagine how it could be a parasite. she hasn't been outside since the day I got her. Cats really don't need to go to the vet unless they're sick or there's a problem. No reason to put her under undue stress. I'm very serious when I say she'll have a heart attack. I've owned close to 20 cats over the years--my other cats didn't like the vet, but they were NOTHING like my current cat.

I'd be interested in getting information on a vet to come to the house. My mom said it looks like just a scab but I'm just worried.

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

Is it near the spot where you put Frontline on her? (or whatever flea treatment you use) I've read about animals having reactions to it.

There's a vet at Hauppauge Animal Hospital that makes house calls, I'm sorry I don't remember his name. But another LIF member raved about him.

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

Is there any chance that she could have fleas? My kitten had fleas a few months, and she had a similar scab which turned out to be a nest full of baby fleas.

I'd see if you can get a vet to come to the house to check it out. If she starts picking at it or anything, it could get infected.

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

Re: Please help--what do I do for my (previously feral) cat's skin?? Long...

By the way, I just wanted to say you're a good person for doing everything you can for her, especially considering her fears. We worked through some of the same things with our first dog, and there's certain things that will never change, but we love him just the way he is and don't pity him. I have a soft spot for fragile animals.