Neurotic Cat licks himself bloody.

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Scott Davis - 28 May 2005 22:53 GMT

Hi, folks.

I adopted him from the local shelter about 2 years ago. Every
"SPRING!", he gets more neurotic than is normal for him.. and starts
licking himself.

He's still a little baby. About 3.5 years old, all black, male,
clipped, baby. Hyperactive running screamer.

Last year it was a quarter sized spot right between the front shoulder
blades. This year, it's a little more down the side -- and about 3
quarters cleared.. (I mean, three quarter-dollar coins worth of hair
he's licked off.. yes?)

I took him to the vet last year - and they didn't talk kittie psychology
with me. They just gave me a tube of antibacterial goop meant for dogs.
Didn't work with a sh.t. Totally useless, it was.

I've been told this "over-polishing" is usually a stress reaction.

Anyone have any other suggestions about what might cause this stress --
if this over-polishing is stress related, and if there is a magic mantra
I can chant to stop him from licking himself bloody?

I'm happy to consider/modify my own behaviours w/regard to his stress.

He's a spazzie wee biting bastard though. It's been 20? months and I'm
now just comfortable that I can sit in this chair, type and not have him
hanging off my arm by his teeth -- literally.

Kittie qualudes would rock..

Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott.

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Scott Davis, 45 Dunfield Av, Unit 2117
Self-Employed Toronto, ON, Canada, M4S 2H4
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Mary - 28 May 2005 22:59 GMT

> Hi, folks.
>
> I adopted him from the local shelter about 2 years ago. Every
> "SPRING!", he gets more neurotic than is normal for him.. and starts
> licking himself.

This screams "allergies."

> He's still a little baby. About 3.5 years old, all black, male,
> clipped, baby. Hyperactive running screamer.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> with me. They just gave me a tube of antibacterial goop meant for dogs.
> Didn't work with a sh.t. Totally useless, it was.

You need a new vet. Does he ever get little bumps on the back of his
hind legs or a raw patch on his mouth?

> I've been told this "over-polishing" is usually a stress reaction.

Sometimes it sure it. My cat licked one whole side of her body bald.
I removed the stress, and she quit.

> Anyone have any other suggestions about what might cause this stress --
> if this over-polishing is stress related, and if there is a magic mantra
> I can chant to stop him from licking himself bloody?

Feliway is supposed to calm worried cats. Go here and enter it in the
search box.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

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Scott Davis - 28 May 2005 23:28 GMT

>>I adopted him from the local shelter about 2 years ago. Every
>>"SPRING!", he gets more neurotic than is normal for him.. and starts
>>licking himself.
>
> This screams "allergies."

Fascinating. You know, after growing up with kitties and having mild
grass allergies myself, it never dawned on me to consider environmental
allergies.

If it's seasonal -- like, grass allergies, are there any dietary or
other changes that'd help the little guy?

I'm guessing that hugging him in the shower with me isn't recommended..
*grin* (he has all 20 claw drive)

> You need a new vet. Does he ever get little bumps on the back of his
> hind legs or a raw patch on his mouth?

New vet? No sh.t. I find a vet that I can trust -- and I'll have him
do my teeth. Still searching..

I've not noticed either bumps on his back-legs, or any kind of raw patch
on his mouth (tongue you mean?).

What'd that mean if it was there? (bumpy and bald..)

>>I've been told this "over-polishing" is usually a stress reaction.
>
> Sometimes it sure it. My cat licked one whole side of her body bald.
> I removed the stress, and she quit.

Sounds like you removed a person.

I'm 31 yrs old. My family's oldest cat is about 18-19 years now. She
had a bad bout of hair licking a long, long time ago. Licking to the
point of needing plastic head-cone, regularly.

We never did figure out what caused that one. I wuv that cat. When I
go to my parents' house -- it's invariably the first thing that comes to
greet me. It still knows my voice, even though I've not lived there for
over 12 years. She's all arthritic and can't climb the stairs -- or
descend them in any kind of hurry. Still, I walk in the door, yell
hullo, and that cat turfs itself down the staircase to come and play
with me.. faster than my parents do.

>>Anyone have any other suggestions about what might cause this stress --
>>if this over-polishing is stress related, and if there is a magic mantra
>>I can chant to stop him from licking himself bloody?

> Feliway is supposed to calm worried cats. Go here and enter it in the
> search box.
> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

Thanks for the suggestion. That's not ringing good fixit-bells in my
head though.

I'm more interested in the allergies angle..

Any links, advice, etc.. that you can point me to would be VM appreciated!

Cheers,
Scotty.

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PawsForThought - 29 May 2005 00:15 GMT

> I'm more interested in the allergies angle..
>
> Any links, advice, etc.. that you can point me to would be VM appreciated!

Hi Scotty,
Mary is absolutely right, you definitely need a new vet. Do you have
friends or family that might be able to provide you with a vet's name
that they've had good experiences with? You might also want to check
in the Yellow Pages and find a cats only practice, who in my
experience, usually are more up on cat maladies. Your cat could very
well have either a food allergy or environmental allergies.
Unfortunately, in cats it can be hard to track down. Also, if you're
using a cat litter that has perfumes added, you might want to switch to
an all natural litter. We use Swheat Scoop.

I have a friend who lives in your area. I can ask her if she knows of
a good vet and let you know.

Lauren

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Scott Davis - 29 May 2005 16:13 GMT

> Hi Scotty,
> Mary is absolutely right, you definitely need a new vet. Do you have
> friends or family that might be able to provide you with a vet's name
> that they've had good experiences with?

Short answer, no. I really don't know any other kittie lovers in the
Yonge/Eglinton (Toronto,ON,Canada) area.

> You might also want to check
> in the Yellow Pages and find a cats only practice, who in my
> experience, usually are more up on cat maladies. Your cat could very
> well have either a food allergy or environmental allergies.

It's seasonal, so I think I can rule out detergents, foods, etc..

> Unfortunately, in cats it can be hard to track down. Also, if you're
> using a cat litter that has perfumes added, you might want to switch to
> an all natural litter. We use Swheat Scoop.

Again, it's seasonal.

> I have a friend who lives in your area. I can ask her if she knows of
> a good vet and let you know.
> Lauren

Lauren,

I'd appreciate a reference. If you're okay with it -- feel free to ask
your friend to either call or email me directly.

Peace,
Scotty.

====================================================
Scott Davis, 45 Dunfield Av, Unit 2117
Self-Employed Toronto, ON, Canada, M4S 2H4
Tech Consultant Mobile. (416) 432-4334

The IP addrs I use to post all UseNet:
66.207.215.240/29
====================================================

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PawsForThought - 30 May 2005 02:23 GMT

I'd appreciate a reference. If you're okay with it -- feel free to ask

> your friend to either call or email me directly.

Hi Scott,
I just sent you an email with the vet info.

Lauren

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Mary - 29 May 2005 00:31 GMT

> >>I adopted him from the local shelter about 2 years ago. Every
> >>"SPRING!", he gets more neurotic than is normal for him.. and starts
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> grass allergies myself, it never dawned on me to consider environmental
> allergies.

I never had any allergies at all until I was 35 years old, and now
am allergic to cats, dust and mold. No grasses, thank goodness.

> If it's seasonal -- like, grass allergies, are there any dietary or
> other changes that'd help the little guy?

If it is seasonal there are things your vet can prescribe--and you
can also give cats certain antihistamines that humans take, but
I would get a recommendation from your vet. As you know,
histamine is what caused both the skin and the nasal/sinus
reactions. My vet had me give my cat Sudafed once, then
Chlortrimeton [sp?] another time--but in small quantities,
based on her weight, so this is why you want to be sure to
at least call your vet.

If your cat has food allergies, and lots do, you might try
feeding her canned only, because many cats are allergic
to grains such as corn and dry food is full of this stuff.

Other enviromental factors: perfumed things such as
room freshener, perfume or after shave, and chemicals
such as bathroom cleaners might play a role. Even
fabric softener on her bedding.

> I'm guessing that hugging him in the shower with me isn't recommended..
> *grin* (he has all 20 claw drive)

:) But for you, I know showers probably help with the hayfever.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> What'd that mean if it was there? (bumpy and bald..)

I have this little tabby who has something called eosinophilic granuloma
complex. I brought her home from the shelter and she presented with asthma,
then
later with the EGC. They often go hand in hand--the EGC is essentially an
allergic
reaction and causes a variety of lesions on the skin on the back of the
legs and/or
lips. It is also called "rodent ulcer" when it occurs on
the lips because of an old untrue belief that catching rodents caused it.
The
bad news is, there is no cure; the good news is that it can usually be
controlled
with shots of Depo Medrol. My kitty gets maybe three shots a year and it
keeps
her asthma and her EGC under control. However--I have also quit wearing
perfume, using highly perfumed litter, and changed cleaning products.

> >>I've been told this "over-polishing" is usually a stress reaction.
> >
> > Sometimes it sure it. My cat licked one whole side of her body bald.
> > I removed the stress, and she quit.
>
> Sounds like you removed a person.

:) No, I just got our other cat to quit coming into her

territory safe zone by spending more time with the other
cat in her own area.

> I'm 31 yrs old. My family's oldest cat is about 18-19 years now. She
> had a bad bout of hair licking a long, long time ago. Licking to the
> point of needing plastic head-cone, regularly.
>
> We never did figure out what caused that one. I wuv that cat.

I know that feeling!!

When I

> go to my parents' house -- it's invariably the first thing that comes to
> greet me. It still knows my voice, even though I've not lived there for
> over 12 years. She's all arthritic and can't climb the stairs -- or
> descend them in any kind of hurry. Still, I walk in the door, yell
> hullo, and that cat turfs itself down the staircase to come and play
> with me.. faster than my parents do.

What a darling.

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Scott Davis - 29 May 2005 16:16 GMT

Thanks for the feedback, Mary. It's appreciated!

-- Scotty.

>>>>I adopted him from the local shelter about 2 years ago. Every
>>>>"SPRING!", he gets more neurotic than is normal for him.. and starts
[quoted text clipped - 92 lines]
>
> What a darling.

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