I have read several sources on the internet and it said something about several cats can have reoccuring episodes of this and a lot of the time their humans don't even know it? The only reason we think that this is something that has been going on for over a year is that she has been ripping her hair out for over a year at some points over grooming being much more intense. I think this last episode must have been much worse She no longer has hair left to remove. So she somehow started to pull from her legs and shoulder bones? I don't know how?? Something in my mind was going on I just didn't know what? I have to add that this is the same cat that resently had to go to the University of Minnesota for her eyes. We couldn't figure it out? They found that she had Chlamidia in her eyes. Then little over a month ago she was taken in for a urinary tract infection. The vet thinks she has a chronic condition and this is a flair up? We all just hope and pray that we can at least start controlling her symptoms so she can have a MUCH more comfortable life..... Thanks for the info Catty one!!