Causes of Black Scabs on Cats: Understanding and Preven
Scabs are essentially dried exudates, a mixture of serum, blood, pus, dandruff, or medication, among other substances. Scabs on a cat's nose can be indicative of primary causes, such as idiopathic seborrhea or metabolic epidermal necrosis.
However, they are more commonly associated with secondary causes, which can manifest in a variety of skin conditions in cats, including ringworm, traumatic dermatitis, mosquito or insect bites, and落叶天疱疮 (autumnal pemphigus). It's advisable to consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis before beginning treatment.
Cat Ringworm Treatment:
Begin by cleaning the affected area with sulfur soap, and if possible, give your cat a fullbody bath. After securing your pet, carefully trim the hair around the affected area and shave it completely, being extra cautious not to injure the skin. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to gently remove scales and hard crusts from the affected area. Then, apply antifungal ointment such as Tinedol (terbinafine) or clotrimazole cream, twice or thrice daily.
Apply the medication from the center of the affected area to the edges, including the seemingly healthy skin around it, to ensure the drug can penetrate the skin directly and prevent further spread. Apply the cream in a spiral motion, starting from the inside and moving outward. Continue treatment even after the symptoms subside to ensure complete healing.
After 2 to 4 weeks of local treatment, if there is no significant improvement, consider administering Griseofulvin tablets at a dose of 30 mg per kilogram of body weight, once daily, for two weeks. Crush or powder the tablets and mix them with edible vegetable oil before administering. Alternatively, you can give 25 mg of terbinafine hydrochloride (e.g., Selsun, Lamisil) per kilogram of body weight.