Mr. Sofite's skin on his head and neck is all scabbed up and he keeps scratching himself and crying when he does it, it obviously itches and hurts him. Trying to figure out if there's something I can do to help him outside of the vet, since I'm not sure if my dad will pay for him to get seen or not.

  • PM_ME_YOUR_FOUCAULTS [he/him, they/them]
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    1 year ago

    I'm going to assume that he's on a flea and tick medication already so that he's not just scratching at flea bites

    Could certainly be a food allergy. Could be worth trying him on some different food and seeing if that helps.

    You can get some hydrocortisone cream or spray without a prescription

    You can get a e-collar (one of those cones) and have him wear it for a while to see if him not scratching it will help it clear up

      • PM_ME_YOUR_FOUCAULTS [he/him, they/them]
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        1 year ago

        I am definitely not a vet, but I have worked in vet clinics.

        Animal medications and human medications are mostly the exact same thing. But I'd look at the ingredients, concentration and dosage on one formulated specifically for animals and then check it against the human one

        If it's the same stuff in the same amounts, it should be fine

  • Judge_Jury [comrade/them, he/him]
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    1 year ago

    My family took in a dog with mange, and the successful treatment was frequent (at least daily, possibly more. I don't quite remember) bathing with a medicated shampoo. Wish I had more info but maybe this can help narrow down your search terms

  • the_itsb [she/her, comrade/them]
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    1 year ago

    Any redness or irritation around the eyes, nose, or mouth? If so, that could mean it's a systemic allergy (food etc) instead of dermatitis (from big bites or surface contact with an allergen).

      • the_itsb [she/her, comrade/them]
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        1 year ago

        So, just wild intuition here, but - main body/back/tail area are where I've seen environmental contact dermatitis issues with my cats - the big portions of them that touch things in the environment when they are lazing about. The head/neck/ear area is where I touch my cats the most, so a rash just in that area makes me wonder if it's a reaction to something on your hands? Or maybe an inner ear issue that he's trying to dig at?

        So I guess next questions are, have you been handling anything new or touching anything different recently? Using a different lotion or body wash? And if not, what do the insides of his ears look like? Any discoloration or debris?

        • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
          hexagon
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          1 year ago

          So I guess next questions are, have you been handling anything new or touching anything different recently? Using a different lotion or body wash? And if not, what do the insides of his ears look like? Any discoloration or debris?

          No not touching or doing anything different and his ears appear to be fine

  • Aryuproudomenowdaddy [comrade/them]
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    1 year ago

    You could try rubbing the affected areas with baked oatmeal or coconut oil. I found some scabs above my cats tail and she starts licking the air when I rub her along most of her spine.

      • Aryuproudomenowdaddy [comrade/them]
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        1 year ago

        Especially when it's cold fleas will jump on anything with body warmth like your clothing and then Mr. Softie. I'd definitely try a flea bath or a preventative like Advantage if that's something you can afford.

          • Aryuproudomenowdaddy [comrade/them]
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            1 year ago

            I don't really have any experience with the flea baths or whether they'll also kill the eggs, you might have to do more than one application. Doing an extensive cleaning of the carpeted areas and linens is probably a good idea too.

            Advantage will kill any fleas that have fed on them within a few hours and lasts like 3 months between applications, but it is a little pricey.

      • thirtymilliondeadfish [she/her]
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        1 year ago

        You can still drag them in on your clothes/feet/person, unless you're vacuuming daily there's a nonzero chance tbh.

        How bad are the scabs? Do you trim his claws/are these just self inflicted? Can you get him checked over by a vet? Mange/scabies isn't fun, but ought to be treatable

  • Treefox@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I would actually try to see a vet before you try anything. I know you want to help him now but he really needs a professional medical opinion. Anything you do now without actually knowing what's going on could possibly hurt him more.