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Ask the Veterinarian/My cat has a scabby nose with no hait on it.

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Expert: - 6/12/2009


Question
I live in Florida and my 2 cats go inside and outside as they please. They stay in our yard and I have never heard or seen any evidence of them fighting with other cats. They both have scabby noses. One has no hair left on the nose at all. Why is that? It is a pretty new development. They have lived here for 14 months and this is the first it has happened. They get advantage flea meds every month.

Answer
Most of the cats we have seen with scabby noses are from mosquito or fly bites. Advantage doesn't prevent that.

Other causes are the type of food bowl they are using such as plastic, or the food could be causing a problem.

Since both cats have it is unlikely to be a disease condition such as lupus, but more likely externally caused. As I said, mosquitoes are usually the biggest culprits.

Most vets will recommend a fly repellent cream or spray made for cats and dogs. Do not use human products due to the potential of toxicity in the cats. I use Ovitrol spray and spray it on a rag then dab the top of the nose, chin and forehead of the cat. There are creams too that you can buy at the feed store. Ask your vet about them.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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