Thanks for the replies, all. OK, I will call the vet in the morning and get him chekced out. It is interesting that one said that her cat had a "hot spot". Feeling Jumper's tail base it does seem to be a bit warmer than the rest of his body, and this is the place where he has pulled out all of his fur. Also, before he began doing this fur pulling I noticed that he was all wet after washing himself, more so than any of my other furkids.

...........wayne