Kitty health question.

[hippywife]

We have an older cat. She is 12 and very arthritic. She has always stayed in the house and there hasn't been another cat in the house for probably 10 years. A couple of weeks ago I was petting her and noticed a couple of raised areas with some crusty skin under her fur. I couldn't get a really good look at them because she's one of those "Touch me where or when I don't want you to, I'll take your hand off!" kind of cats. She doesn't have any pain associated with them, and there's not evident seepage, she just won't sit still long enough to let me get a really good look.

A little over a week ago, I brought new little rescue kitty home. Yesterday, I found one of these under her chin. I know she didn't have it before because, unlike my other cat, she is very loving and snuggly. I discovered them on the older cat before I took the baby in.

I am going to take them to the vet but haven't yet because we don't make a lot of money and just had to spend $411 for surgery for one of our dogs. She's six months old and will need to be fixed in the next couple of weeks, too! (Per healthcare for the owners who can't afford it is also atrocious!)

Until I can get the kitties checked out, does anyone have any clue what these little crusty things are?

Thanx! :hi:

[AZBlue]

1. Could they have argued a little, swiped and given each other small scrapes?

I wish I could give a better answer, but that's the only thing that came to my mind.

Oh wait...what about fleas or ticks? Could the new little one have them and have shared them?

OK, now I really am out of ideas. Hope it all works out ok and keep us posted!! :D

[hippywife]

3. The big one had them

before the little one came here.

I want to say that I know how to check for ticks and fleas. We live in a rural area and deal with them frequently. I do know a tick when I see it and when I feel a lump, that's always the first thing I think of. These were not ticks. When there are fleas in the house, I'm always the first to know it because they eat my feet and ankles so viciously! I'm their favorite victim. No infestations so far right now. I do know we can carry in a few of both here and there but I'm not seeing evidence of either at the moment.

The weird thing is that last night they were both free of these lumps which again points to fleas or ticks but I'm seriously not seeing evidence of them.

Really weird! :crazy:

Thanx! :hi:

ETA: The big one hates the little one. She hisses and swats at her any time she comes near. Not sure how to rectify that or if I even can. Just letting it take it's time.

[AZBlue]

6. I think time is the answer.

Usually they just need to adjust and get used to each other. She's probably thinking, "who the heck is this hyper little thing??"

Well, hopefully you've seen the last of it but keep us posted! :hi:

[MiniMe]

2. Check for fleas and ticks too

[LaurenG]

4. Ring worm?

Just a guess though.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=2023&articleid=223

[hippywife]

5. Could be.

Not sure since it's seemed to resolve itself already, and only in a day with the kitten. Took longer with the big cat.

Thanx! :hi:

[CountAllVotes]

9. sounds like it to me

and if it is, warning ... it can spread to you and others in the household btw.

[bicentennial_baby]

7. Under the chin could be feline acne

Our cat gets that from time to time. :)

[demnan]

8. Pad Thai had some seasonal alergies last year

which produced some ichy places that he scratched and developed some scabs on around his face. I took him in to the vet and got him treated with Cortisone treatments. On this board, I've learned that steroid treatments for cats can be very bad. I watch him but unless its really bad I don't take him in be treated.

It might be allergies and that can be treated or just watch. We all get scabs now and then. :)

[MagickMuffin]

10. Check your PM, for contact on low cost spaying program

:hi: