I have a foster who over-grooms to the point of creating bleeding sores. She developed the habit while at the shelter where for nearly 7 years she basically had half a window sill to herself from which she moved only to eat and use the litter box. Once she got used to my quiet, stable home with whole window sills (and armchairs, sofas etc.) for her sole use, she very gradually eased up on the over-grooming. It took about 6 months before the last sore healed over and was fur-covered. She was sent out for adoption and scooped up very quickly. However, she was adopted by someone who was not a natural cat person and by the time she came back to me, after about 7 weeks in her adoptive home, she had a dozen open sores again. Now, a month after coming back, there are only two and they are clear enough to be growing fur back on them.
So, in her case, it was purely stress related. Given her predilection for this behavior I have an awful feeling that I just acquired another life-time foster. I just can't imagine putting her through this again.
I've read only a little on the topic but it seems that some cats are put on mild sedatives and sometimes wear an e-collar so they can't reach the sores. I simply watched the sores carefully to make sure they stayed healthy and since they were always clean I let time heal them, and her.
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