cat licking fur off legs
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jeriArtist
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:30 pm
- Location: las vegas
cat licking fur off legs
I cannot stop my cat from licking fur off her legs. Vets have xrayed her, tested the skin for mites, etc, given her a cone to wear, medicine to anoint on the affected area, and once, an antihistamine to swallow. Nothing is working. When the fur comes back in, the cone is taken off and within an hour, she has the fur off again, and the skin is bleeding. What can I do, and/or why is this happening? thank you.
Re: cat licking fur off legs
How exactly was she tested for mites, etc? Was a skin-scrape and/or culture ever done? If not, this should be done, the culture can be helpful in ruling in/out parasites vs bacteria vs fungal infections. A culture can always be repeated if necessary.
What bloodwork has been done, did your vet do a complete blood profile?
How old is your kitty? Did your vet test her thyroid function?
What is in her environment that has been ruled out/process of elimination? (i.e., allergies to fleas/parasites, dust, environmental allergens and pollens, etc), and has your vet ruled out food allergies, or ever attempted a dietary adjustment?
If this has been going on for some time, it's time to see a new, more experienced vet, and additional diagnostics. There are many causes to skin afflictions, ranging from viral to stress in the environment, to immune problems, if your vet has no clue, it's time to see a feline-only dermatologist or at least a feline-only vet who is more experienced.
What bloodwork has been done, did your vet do a complete blood profile?
How old is your kitty? Did your vet test her thyroid function?
What is in her environment that has been ruled out/process of elimination? (i.e., allergies to fleas/parasites, dust, environmental allergens and pollens, etc), and has your vet ruled out food allergies, or ever attempted a dietary adjustment?
If this has been going on for some time, it's time to see a new, more experienced vet, and additional diagnostics. There are many causes to skin afflictions, ranging from viral to stress in the environment, to immune problems, if your vet has no clue, it's time to see a feline-only dermatologist or at least a feline-only vet who is more experienced.
..........Traci
Re: cat licking fur off legs
Hi Jeriartist - just seen you post. Our female cat did just the same - constantly licking her back legs - also scratching head - generally manic.
We now reckon it was triggered by a flea infestation which then set up an allergy. She was put on the Hills Science z/d diet which had almost instant results. We then tried her back on a normal diet and it instantly flared up again. She now eats the same diet as her brother, Science c/d (for his bladder crystal situation) and she is absolutely fine now. We have to remember that she is very diet sensitive now. all the food she eats is dry to wet fod had her allmost crawling up the walls. try is it may just work. good luck
We now reckon it was triggered by a flea infestation which then set up an allergy. She was put on the Hills Science z/d diet which had almost instant results. We then tried her back on a normal diet and it instantly flared up again. She now eats the same diet as her brother, Science c/d (for his bladder crystal situation) and she is absolutely fine now. We have to remember that she is very diet sensitive now. all the food she eats is dry to wet fod had her allmost crawling up the walls. try is it may just work. good luck
Re: cat licking fur off legs
Went through the same thing with our old guy and it turned out to be food allergy. His problem would get worse as time for flea med approched but with a change in food, everything has improved.