Yellow hard bald spot on stray

YouraveragecatLover

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The other stray cat that I take care of,I found something new on her.She had a few bald spots,but there was a bald spot with something yellow on it.I don't know of its an allergy Or a sign of a disease,But I could use the help.I can get.
 

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tarasgirl06

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The other stray cat that I take care of,I found something new on her.She had a few bald spots,but there was a bald spot with something yellow on it.I don't know of its an allergy Or a sign of a disease,But I could use the help.I can get.
I can't tell from the photo what it could be. Hoping someone else here at TCS can be of help.
 

FeebysOwner

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The yellow stuff could be pus from the beginnings of an infection possibly caused by the cat repeatedly scratching herself. The bald spots suggest she is likely itchy and scratching those areas - so, yes a possible allergy, which could be from most any source such as food, environment/seasonal, and/or litter if she uses a litter box. Irritated skin can also weep when healing, but the color of that is more clear in nature. Any recent changes in food, weather, or the area where she lives/hangs out?

You could send a pic to the vet and ask about it, but I am guessing they would suggest you bring her in to see them for a closer look. Otherwise, check all the other spots to see if they also have this yellow-ish stuff, and at a minimum clean any of them that do with at least warm water, and then use an anti-bacterial/anti-microbial spray (specifically for cats) on them for a few days to see if they improve. When using a spray, it is better to spray the solution on a cotton ball or soft cloth and use that to apply to the spots rather than actually trying to spray it on them. Plain Neosporin ointment could be used, but you would have to ensure most of it is absorbed into the skin so that she if she would try to lick it off she wouldn't be able to ingest enough to harm her.

If it doesn't get better or spreads, I don't think you will have much of a choice other than to try to take her to a vet. It might be that they would want to take a skin scraping (sounds much worse than it actually is) to analyze for possible causes.
 
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YouraveragecatLover

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Ill try.It looks like an allergy or something.She isnt scratching or biting at it,but when I grab the part of the skin that has the yellow part of it,she meows hard.It doesn't look like a scrape or anything,but It feels hard.
 

fionasmom

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Do you sense that this is a hard, raised lump? I would try to follow the steps that were outlined first of all as they will cover both bacteria and irritation and then you can assess what you think might be going on.
 

fionasmom

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Try the steps first and see if the texture of the lump changes. None of the suggestions will hurt your cat.
 
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YouraveragecatLover

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It changed a little bit,but If I grab it it hurts her.It feels a little less hard
 

fionasmom

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Less hard is a good sign and I would keep trying to treat it as was described and watch it over a few days to see what happens to it. It might just be that pinching it causes her to wince.
 

fionasmom

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Try not to actually grab it, but keep treating it and see if there is improvement.
 
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YouraveragecatLover

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I found another spot today,but this one seems to be hidden.The first one you could clearly see it because it was a bald spot,but This one is hidden under the fur.I will try to clean it like you said,but Could it also be a posible sign of jaundice rather than an allergy?
 

IndyJones

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Will she let you gently pull her lower eyelid out? Just enough to see the skin, if it has a hint of yellow it could be jaundice/anemia. Gums will also turn yellow/white as it progresses.
 

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It kind of looks like ringworm :/. For mild cases, my vet recommends getting some Lamisil (or whatever OTC brand of antifungal---don't use anything with tea tree oil though!) and rubbing it into the spots twice a day. If it gets worse you'll need prescription meds. Also wash your hands a lot after touching her because it's contagious.
 
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YouraveragecatLover

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I bought some homeo pet for worms and that is what I am giving her these days.
 

Willowy

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Ringworm is a fungus, like athlete's foot, not a worm :).

Also, homeopathic "remedies" are just water and don't work. If you need a good de-wormer, talk to the vet.
 

fionasmom

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Jaundice will often appear in the whites of the eyes as was mentioned. Yes, skin can turn yellow/tannish as well but it is not in an isolated spot if the liver is producing too much bilirubin.
 
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