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Cats/Hair loss/darkened skin

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Expert: - 11/11/2007


Question
In July I rescued an orange tabby out of a tree in my neighbor's yard. She became part of the family after no one would claim her. She was brought to the vet and given a clean bill of health, found to be already spayed, and judged to be around 1-2 years old. Shortly after, she began to scratching excessively; brought Lucy to the vet and they said it was food allergies and gave her a steriod shot. I changed her diet and Lucy seemed to be doing better for a couple of months until she started doing the same thing again, but on top of that I noticed she was also pulling out and cutting short her fur at the base of her tail. I brought her to the vet again and they just gave her another steriod shot. I changed her diet again, and Lucy doesn't have the scabs anymore, but the hair loss is spreading in a straight line along the spine (mostly on the left side) and the skin is darkening at the base of her tail and creeping upwards to where she has pulled or cut short the fur along her spine. Any ideas what this may be and/or how I could soothe the skin problem?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,

First off, are you using a flea medicine on her? This could be a flea allergy. Even if you can't see the little buggers, (cats are really good at getting them off them), it doesn't mean that she doesn't have them and has gotten bit by them. Try Advantage for cats or Frontline. She how she is after about 2-3 weeks.
Ask your vet about giving her an antihistamine to help stop the allergic reaction. Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton TM) 4mg, 1/2 tablet twice a day is an OK dose for most adult cats. Check with your vet about this.

Try these two things and see how she is. I think you will find that she will get better. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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