Half Naked Cat

[DebD]

Hi
My Cat Oprah is driving us nuts with her constant over washing. We have had her to the vet who did a biopsy to see if it was a skin disease. She has had allergy tests (no allergies) and her anal glands cleared. She has no flees, plus she has been on a special duck and pea diet now for at least six months. She began giving herself a Brazilian when she was just a tiny baby.She licked clear from her naval down. Two years ago she start on her front legs. Last summer she began clearing her back legs. Then in the fall she started on her left side. So now her entire left half from front to back all four legs and her belly are totally naked. We have had her on something to calm her down, plus this stuff you plug into a socket that is supposed to keep them from doing unwanted behaviour. If you do not let her wash herself she will wash you until you bleed, or a blanket until all the fuzz is gone. Our vet is out of answers and the cost is getting out of hand. (2500 in the last 5 months) just trying anything. Nothing in our home has changed in the last few months let alone her 8 years and the new cats we have are over 2 now. I am desperate. She seems so unhappy and she looks terrible. Does anyone have any suggestions

[Catty1]

All I can think of is Clomicalm, or a similar tranquilizer. Clomicalm is given to dogs, but is very well tolerated in cats. What was she on before?

Perhaps a second opinion from another vet would help.

And maybe another diet change.

I know you will get a lot of suggestions here!

Check Google on this too. I read one story where it turned out the kitty was allergic to a perfumed kitty litter!

[Freedom]

Oh my, I've never heard of such a thing. Poor kitty, poor you (not to mention the wallet)

I have not ideas other than what Candace suggested: change the litter, try a different diet. Have you marked down how long she has been on this food? My cats are on a grain free kibble.

My sympathies, I can't even guess!

[lvpets2002]

Poor Baby Kitty.. Just FYI I have heard that Duck & Pea Diets can cause allergies in cats & dogs.. So maybe try her on diff blend of dry food.. Its for sure this baby has got some issues wheather it be food or stress problems..

[DebD]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Actually the kitty litter is the first thing I thought of, so I have tried every brand out there including just plain dirt from the garden. She actually has a bad habit of running down to the litter box, pooping on the floor and digging the litter out to cover it. (drives me nutz).

She is on a medication called Clomipramine. It makes her sleep, but as soon as she wakes up she starts to wash again.

I think I will try a new vet. He has been looking after my animals for 10 years, but at this stage I will try anything. At the moment I have resorted to putting her into a light cotton baby sleeper just to stop her from licking. So far she has licked two holes in it.
Keep the suggestions coming. I am desperate.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Welcome to PT. I'm so sorry to hear this. Maybe your current vet could refer you to a feline dermatologist if they even exist or maybe you could try a holistic vet or a vet that specializes in cats.

I've heard that allergy tests aren't always very accurate and usually food trials are done to see if there's any improvement. If you haven't tried a grain free diet yet then I'd try one. There are many available now. I used to feed my cats Innova Evo dry and canned but now I feed them Wellness Core dry and Wellness grain free canned which are both grain free. You can buy these at Petco,Petsmart, and some other pet stores too. Good luck.