Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/13/2007

Question
Hi, Dr. Gottthelf.  My elderly mother has a five year old spayed black and white short-haired cat.  She literally licks all the fur off of her stomach and now her inner legs - down to just pink skin showing.  It sounds to me - what do I know? - like some kind of allergy.  My mother takes her to the vet regularly.  Steroids have been tried and blood work (nothing abnormal appeared) was done within the last month.  This cat is not docile enough for my mother to even attempt to give her pills.  The vet has to put a kitty muzzle on her when she visits!  Anyway, I know my mother is quite worried about her.  She is strictly an indoor cat and the only pet in the house.  She is on a weight maintenance and hairball formula of Science Diet food.  She appears healthy in all other areas.  I was hoping that perhaps you had seen other such cases as you specialize in skin issues.  I look forward anxiously to your reply and so very much appreciate any information you can give.  Thanking you in advance.  Sincerely, Peggy A.

Answer
This usually indicates an itchy cat.  They lick and chew off the hair. Are there any fleas or has the cat had tapeworms (from eating fleas)?  You did not indicate if the steroid shot helped or not.  The steroid we use most in cats in a long acting one called DepoMedrol, which is given every month.  The other thing you can try is chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine that helps relieve many cats from itching.  It comes as a 4mg tablet and you give the cat 1/2 tablet twice a day.