Expert: Jessica - 12/22/2009

Question
Our cat's skin problem began three years ago when she licked all the fur off her belly,it remains so today.She scratches behind her ears and her ears are now losing their fur.There are two patches near her behind,irregular in shape where she has licked the fur away and some small patches on her paws where she has licked as well.Her eyes are bright and clear,her tongue is a good pink color.She is approximately 10yrs old,with a good appetite.We are currently feeding her 'Instinct' rabbit.We've given her vitamin supplements & salmon skin oil.Nothing seems to work to improve her condition.We have taken her to the vet; the vet has said that her general health is good & according to the vet the cat may have an allergic reaction to something.We have changed her cat litter brand to 'The World's Greatest Cat Litter'.
We are at a loss as to what more we can do.We are unable to afford sending her back to the vet for a long series of allergy tests.What is your advice?Thanks a lot! Miranda & her Mom.

Answer
Hi there.  It might be worth having at least a skin scraping done in order to see what type of pathology seems to be underlying her problem.  The vet takes a blade instrument and scrapes off several layers of skin cells.  The cells are then analyzed to determine if there are any mites, bacteria, fungi or if there is a large number of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils.  If eosinophils are present while no other reason for the condition is, your kitty is likely suffering from allergies or an autoimmune disease.

What is usually needed to treat autoimmune conditions, and allergic conditions for which no cause can be determined, is a corticosteroid such as a cortisone injection.  This controls the immune response that's creating all the itching to relieve inflammation.  Each injection lasts 4-6 weeks, and some cats require only one injection for the episode to get under control.

There could be a possibility that this is a case of obsessive compulsive behavior.  Cats may lick and scratch their fur off due to anxiety.  But this usually involved licking and not so much scratching.  Nevertheless, you might try something to reduce anxiety in case this is the situation.  I use and recommend a product called Feliway.  The plug-in diffuser is easiest to use.  You can learn more at www.feliway.com

Good luck!

Jessica