What is the gritty black stuff all over my cats back?

[sundreams22]

Ok..i have a couple of questions. First, Willie grooms himself often but he has all of this stuff on his lower back constantly. Little black dirt like things..what is this? Also, he has lost hair on part of his body for the secnd time..can this be due to stress?( I just moved )

He also seems to be in pain when I touch certain parts of his back and legs but not all the time. He just went to the vet three months ago and everything checked out allright. He has had urinary crystal blockage before and is on special food(low ash content) but I wonder should I take him back to the vet? I dont want him to be in pain but sometimes I dont know if it hurts him or just annoys him when i pet him on his legs and back.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[sundreams22]

I should also mention that the vet he went to at the end of July put him on an antibiotic just in case and that he was acting sensitive in his lower back and tummy area. He said if he wasnt acting better to bring him back in for blood work etc. But I have since moved which caused more stress for willie and we just went through a period where he was peeing in the corner. Do you think its time for blood work due to the seemingly leg pain and hair loss? He is only 5 years old and a little overweight but I wouldnt think he would have bone problems allready.

[Tina B and crew]

Hi sundreams.....does Willie go outside?? Even if he doesn't is there the possibility he could have fleas? What your describing sounds like flea droppings to me....when cats have fleas they will often concentrate on the lower back toward the base of the tail and on the neck. And of course you said he was a bit overweight, so this might prevent him from grooming certain areas. One way you can tell if it's flea droppings for sure is to take some of the gritty stuff and place it on a wet paper towel...if it seems to dissolve and turn the paper towel red then it's flea droppings for sure. Sometimes fleas and skin problems will cause sensitivity in certain areas, this may be why he seems to be in pain when you pet him on his back or leg. It could also explain the loss of hair....of course the stress doesn't help. I'd recommend finding out if it's fleas and if it is using a product from your vet, like Advantage, to control them....you might also have to treat your home.

As far as having him back to the vet for blood work...it might not be a back idea. Between the stress, improper urination (in the corner), and being overweight....at least a full blood panel will give you peace of mind as to whether all is well. Good luck! do keep us posted

[sundreams22]

Thank you Tina. I had thought it might be fleas although ive never seen him itch or a flea on him and I do treat him in the summer. My dog has recently had fleas and im having a hard time getting rid of them so its a good possibility. Plus he goes outside alot. I will try that w/the paper towel later today. I think I will go ahead and make an appointment with the vet b/c I just noticed lately that he is peeing often and in small amounts which is a sign that his blockage could be coming back.

[Tina B and crew]

Sounds like a plan...


If you can convert Willie into an indoor cat it would certainly solve the flea problem (you'll find most participants on this board are fairly pro-indoor only )...if you can't then I'd recommend treatment with either Advantage or Frontline the year round...fleas can cause numerous health problems including tapeworms and anemia. I treat my cats even though their only "outdoor" exposure is a screened porch...they still get fleas sometimes. Good luck with Willie..I'm glad you are going to take him to the vet...those blockages are nothing to take lightly.

[davet]

havn't read the other posts but would flea dirt fit????

[Sara]

My Clover kitty is overweight, she is on light food and I am working on it. But occasionally I have to have her bathed at the vets because she can't clean that base of the back area very well and it can get sensitive and accumulate dead skin. Brushing and bathing works well and seems to make her much cuddlier and not sensitive in that spot. It also gets rid of the little scabby feeling things there which I am sure is just because she can't clean well in that spot. I actually get her bathed allot. She's much happier that way. I think the skin actually starts to hurt if it's not cleaned, brushed and exfoliated. She's strictly indoors. Sounds like your kitty might have that and fleas, maybe parasites. I would have him checked right away though by a vet. Don't want to mess with a blockage. Ouch.