Pets - General

[betenoire]

I have a question about cats who groom themselves bald.

When I brought Elphaba home she had lots of bald patches. Now, she was a rescue kitty and I know where she came from and it was a really bad neglect situation - so I attributed the bald patches to that. I figured they'd grow back in.

They didn't, and they got worse. Her entire belly is entirely bald (well, there's peach-fuzz/new growth hair but no real fur coat) as are the insides of her front legs. I've taken her to the vet and ruled out the regular stuff (no UTI, she's totally healthy, no fleas) and she isn't a stress bucket (she's actually the friendliest and most snuggly cat I've ever met) but for some reason she continues to lick herself bald. Her skin is fine and intact (no scabs or scars) so I'm not SUPER worried - but I do wish she'd stop because I always think she's going to get cold (drama).

I've seen her doing it several times, and it's just -really- hard grooming, no pulling or biting of the hair. When I've seen her doing it I've tried distracting her with love - but the truth is that I see her doing it very rarely. I think this is probably something that she does when I'm out of the apartment.

I figure it's an abandonment issue thing, because the person she was with before me would leave her locked out on the balcony and go away for weeks at a time (no food, no water, dirty litterbox, no love, nobody popping in to check on her) so she probably gets upset when I go to work. I've tried the feliway plug-in diffuser which is supposed to make cats feel calm and comfy...but it didn't help at all.

Is it -really- not a big deal (the vet says it's not, but I don't believe him)? Is there something else I can/should try?

[Martina]

Given the things you have ruled out, it is most likely to be a grain allergy. Buy grain free food. i would bet money that within a week, you'll notice less grooming and in a few weeks the hair will be noticably thicker in those areas.

Originally Posted by betenoire

I have a question about cats who groom themselves bald.

When I brought Elphaba home she had lots of bald patches. Now, she was a rescue kitty and I know where she came from and it was a really bad neglect situation - so I attributed the bald patches to that. I figured they'd grow back in.

They didn't, and they got worse. Her entire belly is entirely bald (well, there's peach-fuzz/new growth hair but no real fur coat) as are the insides of her front legs. I've taken her to the vet and ruled out the regular stuff (no UTI, she's totally healthy, no fleas) and she isn't a stress bucket (she's actually the friendliest and most snuggly cat I've ever met) but for some reason she continues to lick herself bald. Her skin is fine and intact (no scabs or scars) so I'm not SUPER worried - but I do wish she'd stop because I always think she's going to get cold (drama).

I've seen her doing it several times, and it's just -really- hard grooming, no pulling or biting of the hair. When I've seen her doing it I've tried distracting her with love - but the truth is that I see her doing it very rarely. I think this is probably something that she does when I'm out of the apartment.

I figure it's an abandonment issue thing, because the person she was with before me would leave her locked out on the balcony and go away for weeks at a time (no food, no water, dirty litterbox, no love, nobody popping in to check on her) so she probably gets upset when I go to work. I've tried the feliway plug-in diffuser which is supposed to make cats feel calm and comfy...but it didn't help at all.

Is it -really- not a big deal (the vet says it's not, but I don't believe him)? Is there something else I can/should try?

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by Martina

Given the things you have ruled out, it is most likely to be a grain allergy. Buy grain free food. i would bet money that within a week, you'll notice less grooming and in a few weeks the hair will be noticably thicker in those areas.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[Rockinonahigh]

Incase anyone may be intrested I have a friend who is giveing away two Jack Russel females,both are liver and white,had all theire shots,kennel broke,fat and great around people,both have been in the house but do better whan they can get out enough.The girls are about four years old and been togther since they were born.They are full blooded but she dosent have the papers but if new owner wants then she can get them.Both are liver and white in color,would split the pair but would rather not..must go to good loveing home.
Folks my friend is moveing but dosent have a fenced yard at the new place and with the work scedual both her and her hubby have there is no telling when they will have time to put up the fence.Anyone intrested give me a pm or post hear and I will check back.

[AtLast]

The latest treatment options are just not working with my old cat, Luciano. I'm having a hard time with this even though I knew that his kidney failure would eventually bring me to this place. He has just really decline in the last couple of weeks and although still eating, losing weight. I'm going to switch to another brand of Rx kidney cat food- but I just don't feel good about him.

Brining him in for another check with the vet on Tuesday. I hate it that finances do have an impact on what I can and cannot do for him. I have to consider the well being of 2 other pets, one of which is having some problems, too.

[Glenn]

Is there a furkid lawyer here on the planet, or someone who knows about setting up trust funds for furbabies?

[apretty]

I know what I want for my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Inuus]

You better have a lot of land and live in a climate that is friendly to bamboo

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Incase anyone may be intrested I have a friend who is giveing away two Jack Russel females,both are liver and white,had all theire shots,kennel broke,fat and great around people,both have been in the house but do better whan they can get out enough.The girls are about four years old and been togther since they were born.They are full blooded but she dosent have the papers but if new owner wants then she can get them.Both are liver and white in color,would split the pair but would rather not..must go to good loveing home.
Folks my friend is moveing but dosent have a fenced yard at the new place and with the work scedual both her and her hubby have there is no telling when they will have time to put up the fence.Anyone intrested give me a pm or post hear and I will check back.

Rockin- I didn't see this post before. What ever happened to these dogs?

[Sachita]

I have an awesome full blooded bloodhound named Bridget. 5 years old, very smart, affectionate, fixed and potty trained. We are fostering her. The owners want to surrender her to the pound.

In live in southern va.

inbox me or email tamara@farmgoddess.com

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Rockin- I didn't see this post before. What ever happened to these dogs?

My friend couldnt part with them,than last week one of them was found dead in the yard,the vet said it may have had a heart attack.She stil has all the rest of her fur kids tho.I will be glad when they finaly fence the yard in so the outside dogs can really play insted of being in a kennel dureing the day.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

My friend couldnt part with them,than last week one of them was found dead in the yard,the vet said it may have had a heart attack.She stil has all the rest of her fur kids tho.I will be glad when they finaly fence the yard in so the outside dogs can really play insted of being in a kennel dureing the day.

Heart attack? Crap.

Not to sound too blunt, but you said the dogs were overweight. Perhaps your friend should consider cutting back on the snacks and reduce their food intake.

People don't realize that obesity in a dog is just as dangerous as it is in humans. Jack Russells typically live 13-15 years and you said your friend's dog was only about 4 years old.

I actually considered writing a post today about the dangers of overweight pets, but I worried about people being offended by it. We love them, but we shouldn't love them with food. Also, dogs must be walked for health. Having a large yard is no different from us just walking around during the day. Dogs need regular, focused exercise, just like we do. Our dogs rely on us to keep them healthy because they cannot make that choice for themselves.

I am very sorry for your friend, his/her heart must be breaking. I am sure it is hard for that dog's sibling too.

Thanks for the update. I am a Jack Russell person, so I was curious.