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Cats/My cat has a wet tail....
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Question
the tip of my 3 year old female cat is always wet, also it looks like the hair on the very tip has been snipped off. I am just wondering if it is an illness or ??????
Hi Keri. It sounds likely that your kitty is suckling on the tip of her tail. Some cats engage in this for comfort, just as a child sucks his thumb. The fur can break off due to the rough barbs on the cat's tongue.
If you notice any broken or irritated skin, however, she should see a vet. Some skin infections and lesions due to inflammatory conditions can ooze. Also, if your kitty ends up causing her own skin damage, again because of her rough tongue, infections can set in. In cases like this, sometimes an antidepressant is used to try to correct what has became an obsessive compulsive behavior.
Best wishes to you and your cat!
Jessica
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | thanks, she has become a little OCD in the last few months! Thanks! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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