Please help me :-(

[ashleigh]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know we had to have our beautiful Indie put to sleep a couple of months ago. His bio sister became withdrawn and was solitary but she started to come around, then she started losing fur, I thought it was fleas again as Sid came to us riddled..so I did a second treatment. It was then we realised she was over-grooming and pulling out her own fur and completely went into lock down, she ate then locked herself away and didn't care for petting (so unlike her) she stayed away from me (again unlike her she is my shadow) anyway, I got her a cone collar on vet advice and over time she has calmed down, her pulling out fur and nibbling is subsiding and her once beautiful coat is starting to grow, she comes for cuddles and strokes again and is even nice to Sid again -running to his defence when a big cat started on him. Her scabs are drying out where she nibbled herself but it is still a problem. When the collar is off she still licks and nibbles and pulls fur, but to be honest at this stage I think she may be trying to get scabs off, but I just don't know! I brush her twice a day, there are no fleas, the loose scabs come off but I can feel lots on her, I'm sure as with humans they itch when dried iut too, what can I do for her?? my vet is not much help, I was bathing her with warm water but not sure if I was stopping them drying out.. and also not sure if this is now a habit that won't stop. She eats well, she drinks, she has clear eyes and wet nose so what can I do for her physcological problem, she was very close to her brother. Many thanks in advance, this makes me so sad.

 

[mani]

Poor little girl.. I can feel for her and for you.

I don't think I'd be washing her as it can dry out the skin, but I would certainly keep up with the brushing as it will loosen and remove the dried up scabs and of course keep you connected with her.  I don't think she's trying to pull the scabs off though, although I'm just guessing.  To me she is still carrying on the same behaviour.. just not as dramatically. 

If that's the case, it's important to break the habit.  I think that a Feliway diffuser could be helpful, along with lots of playtime and distractions, especially right when she's over-grooming.  You may also find some of the flower essences useful.

Time will work wonders too.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[p3 and the king]

Everyone always recommends feliway.  I have not had much luck with this product.  It is very expensive and often it doesn't help severe issues like this.  Feliway is for more mild cases of anxiety. It could be anxiety, depression, or she could have an underlying medical condition.  I would seek a professional second opinion first.  I might even consider a behavior specialist.  When all is said and done, a lot of times as many feliway diffusers and refills that you'll need, that may not help at all, it'll costs the same as a 2nd opinion. 

I hope she is going to be OK.  This is actually a common issue for a cat dealing with stress/depression. 

 

[denice]

I think some cats have a very positive result with Feliway and others don't.  One thing about Feliway is that those cats that don't have a positive reaction also don't have a negative one they simply don't seem to react.  It is expensive though.

 

[p3 and the king]

I think some cats have a very positive result with Feliway and others don't.  One thing about Feliway is that those cats that don't have a positive reaction also don't have a negative one they simply don't seem to react.  It is expensive though.

Yes, but with severe issues like her cats, I would spend the money on a 2nd opinion and on tests or a behavior specialists even that could really get to the root of the problem and help rather than take a chance on wasting money on a product that may or may not help a little.  Feliway is meant for like anxiety over thunderstorms, etc... Mild stuff. 

 

[tobykitten]

Hi there,

I had a cat who was diagnosed with feline alopecia.   He literally groomed himself down to baldness.

It was thought to be caused by very stressful events.  Losing a companion cat, etc.

Most cats can come back from this behavior, but need specialized attention and care.  The cone is a good idea to prevent her from self-injury.  Can the vet recommend anything to go on the wounds that is bitter and would dissuade self-chewing?

Playing with her more and distracting her when you observe her self-grooming can also help.  It sounds like she's on the mend -- these things take awhile.   So sorry for your loss.

 

[otto]

I would take her back to the vet and discuss the possibility of a short term of medication such as amitriptyline (Elavil).

Sounds like she just needs a little help getting herself over her grief and loss and stress. I prefer amitriptyline over prozac, I think cats tolerate it better.

The amitriptyline will help reduce her anxiety and calm her stress and help break the fur pulling habit. Once she is no longer chewing on herself, the medication is gradually reduced (weaning) very slowly, until she is completely off it.

I am a fan of feliway, and it certainly can't hurt. Rescue Remedy could also be tried. But your girl seems to be really suffering from her stress now, I think medication to break the thrall might be best for her.

The vet should do blood work before prescribing any medicine.