Expert: Jessica - 8/30/2011

Question
For a year I have had my Japanese Bobtail treated for skin allergies and he has totally responded and has no new outbreaks. However, he has a raw area about on inch square, on his inner rear leg, above the bend, which heals over and he immediately scratches off the scab. I have kept him in a cone and collar, and have found a way to bind the leg, but when I bandage it the scab cannot form.   I am going crazy trying to find something to dry the area and help it heal while protecting it from his biting and scratching.  This is a wonderful animal and I will try anything.  Please, please help.

Answer
Hi Pamela,

Usually, the best way to treat an allergic ulcer like this is to use a prescription cream/ointment that your vet can give you that contains antibiotics and topical steroids as well as protective moisturizers. This will prevent infections, relieve itchiness and moisturize the area to help it heal. Hopefully between the cone and the calming effects of the steroid, he will not be interested enough to bother the wound anymore, because you are correct that keeping a wound bound is going to slow healing time considerably and can even cause infection.

You should call the vet that treated him for the allergies and ask if a steroidal cream like Panalog or Animax would be appropriate. Also, see if your kitty might need some other allergy therapy added in to see full benefits, as this spot didn't seem to respond. Or if it was a cortisone injection he received, he may need another one. Some cases are a little more resistant than others.

Best of luck!

Jessica