Expert: Norman Auspitz - 4/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: Our 14 year-old cat has been licking her belly and inside thighs overly thoroughly, taking off the hair and at times abrading the skin.  She does have some allergies - but I don't know if this is simply neurosis.  Any suggestions how to treat her an help her to stop overlicking?

ANSWER: John,

At age 14, she is geriatric and cats, like older people, can develop new allergies.  I am also assuming she is fixed. Right now breeding season is in full swing in the Northern hemisphere, and this can bring on symptoms of over grooming as those hormones rage!

It sounds to me (not being a vet) as if the allergies have flared up.  I would check for food allergies (especially wheat, corn, soy) and, given the change of the weather if she has a flea allergy.

She may have a hypersensitivity to body mites, but a one time a week treatment with ivermectin for 4 weeks should take care of that.

These things are often a pain to diagnose!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi - I was writing and hit the wrong key - I don't know if you received the first followup.  The cat in question definitely has allergies and periods where the allergies worsen or lessen.  I forgot to mention she has been licking away her hair for several years!  We have tried keeping her on Science Diet for older cats, and that helps a little, but not enough.  My wife has also used the unorthodox but helpful treatment of putting her own urine on the cat's belly, which, though bizarre, does help fungal and other skin issues and seems to give the cat temporary relief.  Do you have other cat foods to recommend?  We'll consider the ivermectin, but suspect she has many allergies, not just one.  It's definitely not fleas - she rarely is allowed out, and my wife checks her carefully.  Thanks for you r help!  John

Answer
John,

We have a couple of Abyssinian girls who are allergic to fleas and one or all of soy, wheat, corn.  So, we have been using cat foods that have no corn, no wheat, and no soy.

Please follow up with your e-mail address and I will be happy to e-mail you a couple of good dry foods without these grains that we feed.

Once they are on the correct food it takes a while for the fur to grow back, but it usually does.

Best regards... Norm.