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Cats/cat pulling hair out

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Expert: - 5/6/2011


Question
Hi Jessica - my five year old short haired cat Boo (mixed breed) has just started pulling a patch of hair out. The vet says it's most likely irritation caused by a flea bite and gave him a cortisone injection yesterday. But this morning he is still pulling his hair out. Am I expecting results too soon? He's a passive relaxed cat in all other ways. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Janet,

Cortisone is generally pretty fast-acting, but it can take up to a couple of days to see results. A flea allergy (or any type of allergy, for that matter) can be hard to get under control, as the body's allergic response can last for up to 6 weeks. Sometimes the itching is simply made worse by the irritation the cat has caused by chewing or scratching at it. If your cat doesn't experience any relief in the next day or so, I would also ask the vet about a topical steroid cream. These usually are mixed with an antibiotic to help heal the skin, as well. Steroid creams, when used in addition to cortisone, seem to help a great deal.

Best of luck!

Jessica

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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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