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Well, since the intense scratching stopped (i do see her scratch a little, but her fur is almost completely restored) i am inclined to think it's not an OCD behavior, although the vet has thought that might be it as well - he initially thought it was a psychogenic effect of the Valium which she was on as an appetite stimulant for the anorexia. We stopped the Valium, he gave me a cortisone/antibiotic topical for the hairless areas, and that worked great until it ran out.Has *anything* at all made her nervous or anxiety prone in recent months? I know you said Raj is so happy and affectionate, but with all the scratching one can't help but think of an OCD-type manifestation.
My gut instinct is that she's not OCD. She is the self-assured, quiet type of dominant female, like royalty - and does not exhibit anxious behaviors although my other cat does, so i am familiar with them. I'll be taking Elvirah to the vet for it soon, before i found this place i didn't realize that feline anxiety was treatable! And Rajah's hair loss resolved with the diet change. The only other possibility i can think of is oak pollen. The local oak trees finally tapered off about the time of the food switch - they drop an incredible amount of pollen, can turn a car completely yellow in a single afternoon, and there are several trees right outside the apartment (she's indoors, but pollen travels). I guess if it happens again at the same time next year i'll know for sure. The vet indicated that the hair loss pattern is classic food allergy, i guess hair loss is usually different for inhaled allergens?
She was on Cypro for appetite (unsuccessfully) before the Valium, but he gave her a different antihistamine for the itching, can't remember the name off the top of my head.What antihistimine was she on? Cyproheptadine? I know that is also been sucessful in stirring up appetite. Bleh on those side effects.