The health of my older cat

**catmandu** · 02-25-2009, 05:25 PM

Sad to say bit Our Cats do have different biologiacl clocks , and some Ctas like JJJ3 , Michael the Dream , and Princess the Purrfect are still going strong at 18, while Bo Bo the Bodacious , Moose the Magnifi Cat and many Younger Found Cats are Angels.

All we can do is Our Best.
Prayers are coming for Dear Woobie from All Of Us!!!

**krazyaboutkatz** · 02-26-2009, 12:12 PM

I agree that you should get a second opinion. I had to do this when my Starr was very sick and if I hadn't he wouldn't be with me today. My new vet does charge more but they also have all of the high tech equipment and are also an emergency hospital too. Good luck.

**erinnyes** · 03-03-2009, 02:14 PM

Hello again everyone!

Well, looks like I'll be taking your advice. I gave it a little time but Woobie is just pulling out more fur and seems lackluster. I called my vet today to ask if he'd do an x-ray and see if there's something else wrong, but they said it wasn't necessary. Maybe it's just me, and I am HARDLY an expert in such matters, but I'm a little worried about not checking and so I've decided to take my cat to the other vet in town for their opinion as well. I absolutely hope that the first vet is right and it's nothing, but I would feel awful if it ended up being a sign of a more serious problem and I did nothing on the advice of one vet.

Thank you all for your advice! It's SOOO much easier to make this decision (especially since the other vet will probably be a significant cost!

) when you have the advice of others to back you up.

Thank you again!

**Catty1** · 03-03-2009, 06:18 PM

Good luck with the other vet! I know you will keep us posted...many PT Prayers going out to Woobie (I love that name!)

Here's a link in Cat Health where the kitty was ripping out her own fur. Not to alarm you, but it may be of help: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=150636

Does Woobie pull out her hair from any particular area?

More prayers for her quick recovery!

**erinnyes** · 03-17-2009, 05:08 PM

Well, basically the second vet agreed with the first. I insisted on an xray to ease my mind, and when they did it they fund nothing. So essentially, she's on vitamins in case it's a problem with shedding and itchy skin, and if it doesn't rectify in 3 weeks, the second vet recommended acupuncture. I was dubious but she told me she was familiar with the process and it can have some very surprising results.

So essentially I paid a little extra for the second opinion, was told it's nothing to worry about, and Woobie is still pulling out little fluffs of her hair. I'm trying to put my worry on hold until I see if the vitamin supplements do the trick!

Oh yeah, and I did read that article on this website, actually.

That was what pretty much convinced me to go to the other vet - just in case.

**Medusa** · 03-17-2009, 05:24 PM

Wait, the second vet is familiar w/acupuncture? So what does that mean? Is she going to recommend an acupuncturist? Being familiar w/it and being a certified practitioner are two separate things.

My Creamsicle pulls her hair out, too, and it's due to an allergy, although we're hard pressed to discover what she's allergic to. Her hair comes out in tufts, such as in a paint brush. Does Woobie's do that? Cgirl is on Prednisolone and it's helped her immensely.

**columbine** · 03-17-2009, 08:50 PM

This is a little unconventional, but you could try emu oil. Rubbing it on bald spots is said to help the fur regrow (it's certainly working on my cat), and licking it (you'll have no trouble getting her to do that!) gives helpful nutrients to help strengthen delicate skin. Sometimes health food stores have it, or you can order it online.

Love, Columbine (who even put some on her own chin this morning in an attempt to diminish chronic zit grit, and may be rubbing it on her bunions before long...)