Fred is an amazingly loving, easy-going 10-or-so year old rescued kitty. He started having a hot spot on his back, slightly to the left of his spine, north of his hip, about 3 years ago. It was healed using an e-collar, and stayed away for about 18 months. Since then he has licked himself raw in the same spot or thereabouts whenever he is not in a cone (he has defeated different types of soft e-collars).
We have tried treating for allergy, skin irritation, tested negative for fungus, no fleas or other bugs (he's an indoor cat), and most recently tried acupuncture. He was successfully treated for hyperthyroidism via radioactive iodine treatment about 5 months ago, yet the hot spot has returned yet again.
Fred shows no signs of being stressed, and has bothered no other spots, so we have not treated for anxiety/stress by choice - he's a happy, snuggly, loveable and social cat, even with the cone - he seems to take everything in stride. I hate to see Fred live the rest of his life in a cone, but we have run out of ideas (and so have the 3 vets we've consulted so far).
Just desperately seeking help via any and every outlet I can. Please let me konw if you have any ideas or have seen anything like this before. Thank so much.
Can't determine reason for hot spot - HELP!!
Re: Can't determine reason for hot spot - HELP!!
Please see a feline specialist, preferrably a board-certified feline dermatologist who specializes in this.
3 years without a conclusive diagnosis leads me to believe the three vets are not committed to the case, nor experienced in testing protocol.
Acupuncture is worthless, and certainly will not cure anything.
Feline dermatologist, ASAP. Prepare for additional testing such as skin scrape/culture, culture and senstivity testing, complete immunological profiling, rule-outs such as bacterial, viral, granuloma-type, fungal or parasite testing, not necessarily in that order and not necessarily all of them. Allergy testing may or not be helpful, the dermatologist should be able to determine the necessity based on preliminary workup. Lastly, rule out injection site problems, particularly if there have been injections done in that area, steroid use, etc.
3 years without a conclusive diagnosis leads me to believe the three vets are not committed to the case, nor experienced in testing protocol.
Acupuncture is worthless, and certainly will not cure anything.
Feline dermatologist, ASAP. Prepare for additional testing such as skin scrape/culture, culture and senstivity testing, complete immunological profiling, rule-outs such as bacterial, viral, granuloma-type, fungal or parasite testing, not necessarily in that order and not necessarily all of them. Allergy testing may or not be helpful, the dermatologist should be able to determine the necessity based on preliminary workup. Lastly, rule out injection site problems, particularly if there have been injections done in that area, steroid use, etc.
..........Traci