Good Morning Loretta here...
Yes, I am worried now...what started as a small patch of hair from Kitty's side is now full blown hair loss as she continues to heavily groom herself!
I noticed her doing this right around the time I had the accident. I also noticed Kitty is not the same since then. She's visibly nervous and jumpy.
I've spoken to the new vet at the clinic (Her vet moved and...well, you can imagine what
I'm about to say... butting heads is not out of the ordinary with the two peeps involved and, from the initial visit!) He said she's shedding...well hello, her entire backside... body!!
I've cleaned bathe, changed food and included a supplement, etc., but to no avail. I have not found another vet that I know and confident with after this... one! We had to drive almost 75 miles to the old clinic, so I suppose we will go in other directions looking. I certainly didn't expected to face a jackass as the new vet!
My last resort of thinking is, and it is far fetched... she was traumatize by what she witness from my falling and lying on the floor so long. Honestly, she hasn't been the same since... and she watches me when I walk from afar.
Using my cane sends her running to hide. When I'm putting on my brace or removing it, she watching intently and always underneath something.
Would you say this could be the problem? When she allows me to hold her I can feel the tremor in her little body! I am so worried about her...
I learned what I know about felines, and Kitty is my first from the web, but some of you have had years of experience, can you suggest something I can do to help my baby? Thanks you much...
Dang! It could be stress related and it is hard to find something that works. If she would eat treats you could try Composure treats. If not, Pet Calm crystals from PetAlive can be added to her food...just a pinch and mix it in. She really does need to see a vet to rule out anything medical though. Please keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...we will try these, and I have been looking for a vet all morning. One suggestion was a hopeful, but he is not seeing anymore patients until the first of the year. I am not stopping. Thanks for visiting and we are so glad your babies are well. Purrs & Hugs
DeleteMario's M here: Oh dear, I feel your pain. It's horrible when our furbabies are not up to par. Some people might disagree with me, but I believe our dear pets do pick up on our feelings, when we are hurt, etc. That could be one possibility. Another might be allergies. I so hope you can find a vet that you trust and one that you don't have to drive many miles to get to. HUGS
ReplyDeleteThanks you I am so concerned...I believe that is her problem because she's a young girl healthy and was okay until this happened... thanks for your suggestions I appreciate it... XX
DeleteHaven't been blogging in a long time but just had this pop up, So sorry to hear of the problems. Try searching psychogenic alopecia. I think you will find what you are looking for. We have 2 cats with this issue on and off. She may eventually just stop. Because it's psychological it's hard to know. You can try drugs if you want. Kitty prozac. I never have. But it may work for her.
ReplyDeleteCarmen and the Primcats
Hi Carmen so glad to hear from you. Thank you...I will do the search to see...I want to try everything within reason to help my baby until I locate a vet for her. Thanks so much...Purrs...XX
ReplyDeleteHope you are finding answers.
DeleteIt could just be that shes a little stressed. Fleiway has some pheramone stuff that you can spray or infusers that plug into the wall, you wont smell it but she will and that may help. I have also seen some calming collars. It might just take her some time to feel back to normal.
ReplyDeleteWhen Smokey first came inside he had licked spots all over his body, the vet put him on prednisone, he took that for a while and now does not need it.
Thank you much I'm going to order this I remember seeing it in one of my supply magazines. I sure hope it helps to calm her...Thanks again! XX
DeletePoor Miss Kitty, sounds like she is stressed by the incident. Have you tried Feliway plug-in, it might help to calm her down.
ReplyDeleteI will and thanks for your suggestion... she is stressed...XX
DeleteIt does sound like it's stress related. Poor baby. Maybe consider the Spirit Essences (from Jackson Galaxy) or Bach flowers? It won't be a quick fix, so you'll need to be patient (and try not to make too many changes to the routine she's used to). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm beside myself...I know I need to calm down for her, because she senses my anxiety. I'll check to see if I can find the Bach flower it is a new one to me! Thanks so much...XX
DeleteLoretta, be careful with the prednisone use, though. For one, it's critical that if you do use it, you very slowly wean her off it or she could experience a circulatory crisis. Also, taking prednisone could bring on any latent infections she might have, such as an upper resipratory infection. Long term use has been associated with urinary problems, too.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good drug for initially getting a chronic condition under control, but I hesitate to ever give it to my cats without a veterinarian's supervision.... (sorry!)
Another possibility besides stress (which is a good guess, BTW!) is food allergies. Is she on a grain-free diet? We've seen so many cats in our shelter who have grooming problems that have resolved after eliminating grains in their diet. And if that doesn't work,then we go to a limited ingredient diet that reduces potential food allergens even further. They are available at Petco, so you don't need a vet prescription for this.
Hope this helps!!
Oh thank you much I always research every medication even ones given by a vet before giving them to my baby. I changed her diet to eliminate some of the things I thought were a problem, however my hubby loves to bring everything fish to her table! I need to check some of these. Maybe trying the Petco food will be another idea. Thank again...and I will certainly try these suggestions. XX
DeleteFish is one of the highest allergens for cats. No more fish.
DeleteOh I am so so so sorry about your baby and what the two of you are going through. It is so heartbreaking when we can't tell what to do and that certainly IS a jackass of a supposed vet. Where did he get his Vet paperwork? A Crackerjacks box???
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry PLEASE keep us updated.
Thanks Sweetie...I can't really tell you how I felt about this...man, but a number of his patients walked out the same day I was there...heheee! Love the crackerjacks box quip you should have been there to lend me a hand. lol! Seriously, It wasn't an appointment I would want to keep again...And this certainly didn't help Kitty...she was shaking when we got back in the car! Thanks much I needed this vent...I've been so tense all day! Take Care XX
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're getting some good advice. We'll be purring for Miss Kitty and you, too. Sending lots of pawsitive thoughts your way. XOXO
ReplyDeleteWe do appreciate your being here...that's truly enough...
DeletePurrs... XX
We are sorry about Miss Kitty and we send her calming purrs.
ReplyDeleteShe may be nervous of the cane and sensing also that you walk differently because you are hurt.
WE purr some of the advice you got works
and that you find a Vet you like!
Thank you much your visit is appreciated and means so much...Purrs XX
DeleteI have tried these with some success with the Crew--Sweet Pea especially loved her collar and she noticeably chilled out. It's worth a shot for under $10.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/GOODbehavior-Pheromone-Calming-Collar-Cat/dp/B0026JAKWG
Yes, I saw this in a supply book that I have and considered it! Thanks so much for your suggestion. Purrs...XX
DeleteYou are getting lots of good advice, and we don't have much to add. It takes cats a long time to get over a traumatic experience, so if it's stress related (which is likely), it may take a while to get her to feel better and stop overgrooming. I love how so much of the community rushes in with help and ideas when someone needs it. The cat blogosphere is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes Yes...what an awesome community of loving and helpful people!!! You rock!!! Thanks for being here! XX
DeleteI have no advice to add. Just sending hugs and prayers for you and Kitty.
ReplyDeleteWonderful words of encouragement...thanks Carol!! Purrs...XX
DeleteAw, poor Kitty! I think you've gotten a lot of great advice here, everything I'd say has been said. Calming supplements and Jackson Galaxy's stuff being the top of my list. If it's allergy, coconut oil, that does wonders for Star when she licks her fur off. I just feed her a quarter teaspoon a day and it helps. She loves it so it's easy to give. But it doesn't sound like allergies really? I hope she feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteChrystal of Daily Dose/Winnie's Wish told me you contacted her, and she's written back but hasn't heard from you. I'm wondering if her mail is going to your spam folder? When I got my Leo from her we had a hard time connecting because of email programs/spam and I hope that's not happening when you're trying to connect to her! Let me know if I can help, ok?
Thanks much...I will search and try again...Give Star a big hug for us...Purrs...and plenty of hugs!
DeleteYou have gotten some excellent advise from the folks above but I'll still add my two cents.
ReplyDeleteIf she is grooming more than usual that is a good sign of stress but if you can find a vet to rule out things like ringworm and such that would be good.
Also you said she watches the brace and cane very closely. These are new items to her and could be causing the stress. Cats don't like new things especially if they are around mommy. Maybe let her get acquainted with both, sniffing for instance. Pet and talk to her while she is sniffing.
Other things can cause more stress. If you keep changing her food that can cause stress. Also if you seem nervous she could be picking up on your emotions. Try to keep things as normal as possible.
I hope she starts to recover soon, keep us updated.