? 1/22 Archie - what is this under his fur mats?

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cmb

cmb

Member Since 2017
Hi,
Archie is a medium-haired cat and while he would get mats from time to time, it was never as bad as it is now. I've started cutting them out and on his back he had a couple of black warts or spots. There is dry flaky skin around them and a dark circle at the center. It didn't leak. I think I saw them maybe once before, but they were tiny compared to now. (see photo below)

Another surprise was in his furry tail - the skin looks almost dark brown (he is an orange tabby) and the mats were kind of moist. Eww. He didn't really love me digging through his tail fur with a headlamp trying to get a good photo, so I don't have photo evidence, but maybe some of you know what I'm dealing with.

We gave him a bath a couple of weeks ago - could be it be kind of gunky because we didn't blow dry him? That would totally freak him out.

Photo (sorry, I don't know how to insert one straight into the message)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RtSogHQcIZBGny3rEd2rOuKCOkJR_Zbr/view?usp=sharing
 
Is Archie an inside-only cat? If he goes outside, could that be some type of fly egg or a fly larvae in his skin?
 
JeffJ said:
Is Archie an inside-only cat? If he goes outside, could that be some type of fly egg or a fly larvae in his skin?
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Yes, he is indoors only. Never would even set a foot outside - he's too shy.
 
I'd definitely have it checked but it may be a Sebaceous cyst - those get that black 'dot'. I just lost my little old lady dog that had them terribly. When they break open, the black part is very thick and 'gooey'. Here's a bit of information on them. This is from a 'human' article but they're the same thing (source: http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answer.../what-sebaceous-cyst )

"Sebaceous cysts — and their much more common “cyster” cysts called epidermoid cysts — are essentially slow-growing, non-cancerous, and painless masses that occur right under the surface of the skin. They look like smooth, solid lumps that might have a black dot on top (like a blackhead). These types of cysts can happen to anyone, although some of the risk factors (link is external) for epidermoid and sebaceous cysts include a history of acne, being past the age of puberty, having had injuries to the skin, or having certain rare genetic disorders. The good news is that neither type of cyst is very serious or painful, and many times, they will drain and disappear all on their own."
 
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cmb said:
Omg, that sounds totally like it. What do you to get over it?
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I just wash it and try to keep it clean and groomed, and it eventually goes away. I believe that your vet can give you something for it, though. Squallie never had it until after he was diagnosed with diabetes.
 
Could be a bug/spider bite. If it itched, the scratching can result in the fur matting.
I would shave the spot(s), clean and monitor,
 
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