Cat only licks back of legs

neme64

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Been using grass litter, Oko cat litter and yesterdays news, 2 indoor cats have a buffet of litter boxes which works well...My cat has a licking problem did the food testing do not think its that., been over a year now..... I kinda doubt its the litter but wonder. Usually if he does not like a litter he'll pee everywhere but does not do that..He does have a bit of anxiety. Vet said try CBD but I'm a bit hesitant. Has anyone tried these litters and noticed excessive licking of back legs? Very odd to say the least!! He looks so thin back there.. Unless its something in his urine??
 

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Hi. Seems a bit premature to start thinking about CBD, especially when no one really knows yet what is going on. It could be an allergy to various litters, or a food that you didn't test for. Maybe the litterbox - for whatever reason - is absorbing the urine into the surface and that is the issue - not so much his urine itself, but the collection of bacteria with the box from the urine that has been absorbed and isn't getting thoroughly removed. I would, at least temporarily, add one or two new boxes, and continue to try some other litters. If you are worried about him peeing outside the box because you try a litter he doesn't like, place puppy pee pads around the box to help with clean up. You might try to use unscented, hypoallergenic wipes on his hind legs daily just to ensure that any urine that might be there is completely removed.

Hopefully, other members will come along soon with some other ideas!!
 
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neme64

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Thanks great info. They have eight boxes.. Some with the grass seed litter which replaced the corn based one I used.. Then started OKO cat, but do think this was before that and use a yesterdays news type litter...I clean litter every day, running out of litters to try that I like and do not smell and are good for the cat....I never use scented litter nor clay....Try to do everything right have had cats my whole life now 66.. Wish there was more info on litters and allergies..
 

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If it were the litter, why wouldn't it be affecting his front legs too? Does he pee on his legs? What else could he be doing in the house that would be mostly impacting his back legs? I'd be taking a closer look at that aspect too.

I suppose you could ask the vet if there is someway to check to see if he were allergic to his own urine, but if that were the case, why wouldn't it impact his urinary tract as well? He has no other 'unusual' behaviors?

As I said before, try to start cleaning his back legs regularly and see if anything changes. Besides the wipes I mentioned, you can also try chamomile tea bags (standard grocery store brands which all usually German - you don't want English, nor any additives/flavorings). Brew a tea bag in water, cool the liquid, and then dab/wipe it on his legs with cotton balls or as soft cloth. You can do this as many times a day as you want. The tea has both soothing and healing properties, and is safe for him to ingest.

The other thing to consider, if some reason this is anxiety related and he has managed to just focus on his back legs, is to distract him with toys or treats to see if you can break the habit.
 
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neme64

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Well since Monday and again last night he does the excessive licking then goes into an uncontrollable mode like a whole body spasm. I try to get him out of it he does not hear then he stops....Have never seen it before...Has anyone out there experienced it
 
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neme64

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Well just figured out what my cat has> Psychomotor Epilepsy....
 
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neme64

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No I figured it out as the episodes just started,,,
 
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neme64

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I looked it all up and researched it from Cornell site etc.. All the symptoms and shows fit it to the tee. Especially backend and tail....I always said to the vet He has OCD, but everything was directed to the food when its not the food at all!! OCD can lead to this.....Vets do not know it all..I have a call in to the vet and told her that's what it is...Its not fun to watch when he has these episodes...He has had this for 3 years now but showing more symptoms!!
 

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So, then you also know this (also from the Cornell site):
"Recommended treatment for a cat that is diagnosed with hyperesthesia syndrome is likely to include a behavioral component aimed toward reducing any anxiety that the animal might be experiencing. Regularly scheduled feeding times and play periods, for example, may help keep an insecure cat relaxed and well exercised. And any type of physical activity that may irritate or overstimulate the cat—such as scratching its back—must certainly be avoided. For some patients, a veterinarian may prescribe a serotonin-enhancing drug—amitryptyline or fluoxetine, for example—to stabilize a cat’s mood; an anti-seizure drug, such as phenobarbital; an anti-inflammatory medication, such as prednisolone; or a combination of drugs. Gabapentin, a drug with both analgesic and anti-seizure properties, is a recent addition to the arsenal of drugs potentially useful for treating hyperesthesia syndrome."

Take some video of his behavior to show the vet, and if need be consult with a cat-only vet. As you already know, there are things to try to see if you can reduce his anxiety/stress, which is the primary trigger for this condition. There are also other articles that suggest food can play a role as well, and so did the Cornell site.
 
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neme64

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I understand all of that with the food. Have done everything for that including Heska food panel last year.. He eats nothing with potatoes and peas and I'm very strict on what he eats..He is strictly indoor, my cats are my babies and only give them the best I can find though thats hard as everything is with peas and potatoes.. I'll see and will keep camera on hand. But my gut says its this and I have good gut..I have done everything right with him but always said to the vet he has OCD....Thank you so much for your input..
 

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I'll see and will keep camera on hand. But my gut says its this and I have good gut..I have done everything right with him but always said to the vet he has OCD....
No, I believe you - I was just hoping if you put a video or two in front of your vet, they might take you more seriously and would be willing to offer some possible treatments to try. :crossfingers:
 
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neme64

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Got the camera wildlife photographer I am...66 years old MANY , MANY cats my whole life and my late mom cat lovers!!!. At times I feel I know more than vets.. I know what you meant and appreciate your help immensely
 

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Feeby (15+yo) has a mild form of hyperesthesia (or, so I say). She doesn't need treatment for it, but the vet does believe it has a neurological background.
 
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neme64

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yes, thats what I believe because when I took in the cat he had two collars around his neck he could not breathe..One was a purple collar which I believe was for anxiety not fleas but have no proof but a thought. Have pics...I always wondered what the purple collar was for?
 
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neme64

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Well had choices from vet. Give concoction of vitamins, Phenabarbital or prozac..or prednisone (which he had in the past ) Starting with very low dosage of prozac....Have to do something... Also called some other name the disease but...
 

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Find out if you can stop/start the Prozac, in case you don't want to be giving it to him day in and day our for the rest of his life. I am not sure you can, but would be a good question to ask the vet. Also, if you don't like the effects of this drug, try asking the vet about serotonin enhancers instead. Keep us posted.
 
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neme64

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thanks.

Going to try 1/4 once a day...I'm not a pill person myself so feel the same way for my cat. due to all the side effects etc....I read catnip may help!!! Isn't Prozac a serotonin uptake?
 
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