My cat has come balding and loss of hair and raw spots on her back. It goes along her spine only. Cant afford to go to the vet and wondering if there is anything i can give her. When I first found it, it was a small wound and thought it was from the two cats fighting. This has continued and it is spreading. I do know they have fleas and I am trying to get rid of them. She has had fleas before, but never reacted to them. Please help with any suggestions! Dumbfounded in Ontario Canada

She is likely very allergic to the fleas. You need to get a good product, not the cheap stuff, and no flea collars or baths are going to work. Please go to the vet and get good flea control products and treat ALL the cats at the same time. Good luck.

DVM

The answer above is exactly right. One of my cats had a very similar problem. She had a lot of scabs on her body and was losing a lot of her fur on her backside and tail. I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with a flea allergy. She was treated with steroids, antibiotics and Revolution. She started improving immediately. It's taking a very long time for all her fur to grow back, but she's so much healthier now.

If money is an issue, find a low cost pet clinic or a vet that will work out a payment plan. The flea problem will only get worse if not taken care of properly and your cat could get very sick from the fleas.

Are you treating with over the counter flea products? Some of them have you apply the product along the back and this is not safe as they can then ingest it... I work at an emergency animal hospital and the over the counter products ARE NOT SAFE... we get many animals seizing from these no frill brands and worse. As well as allergic reactions with burned skin. You need to use a front line product but do not apply anything right now as the skin is going to be painful. You can try a product called Animax or Panalog Cream... Some pet stores sell it over the counter. Apply twice a day topically and make sure your cat does not lick it off you have to keep cat distracted for at least 10 minutes after applying. If you have to buy on line go on internet and get the company's contact information and ask them to refer you to a vendor that they supply so you know you are not getting an imitation product... If this does not improve the situation after 10 days you will need to go to the vet.