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Cats/cat losing fur and spots like hives
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Question
My cat, femal, about 6 yrs.old, constantly licks herself, her fur is coming out
in quite the clumps all over the place, and we discovered some hive like spots
at the base of her tail, and it seemed to be warm and tendered there because
she would meow when you touched her upper back at the base of the tail ,
also, where these spots are. We also found spots on her head, and along her
spine, too. She has been sneezing an awful lot, too; in which she hardly ever
sneezed before,
Terrie,
The fur loss and spots could be a result of allergies, the sneezing is most likely a result of an upper respiratory infection. Your cat needs to see a vet in order to find out what is going for sure and to decide what the best course of treatment is. Your cat may have a flea allergy or be reacting to something in her environment. It's also possible that the symptoms you describe could potentially be a result of a more serious problem so I wouldn't recommend that you procrastinate when it comes to having a vet assess this kitty. I am unable to make a diagnosis or recommend treatments. If you feel more comfortable with having a holistic vet see your cat there's nothing wrong with that. A holistic vet is trained in conventional medicine as well as alternative therapies which could include homeopathy, acupuncture, or massage. The nice thing about having your cat treated by a holistic practitioner is that they consider the whole animal and they are willing to use a combination of conventional medicine and alternative therapies.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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