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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Obsessive grooming and chronic sores

17 replies

SarBear1980 · 17/09/2021 19:07

I’ve got a rescue boy…he’s been with me 5 years and we’ve had a few issues with skin/allergies but nothing major. For the last 4 months he’s been obsessively grooming to the point of having very large open sores that just won’t heal. We’ve had numerous vet visits and antibiotics/creams etc and I keep being told it’s stress…we’ve gone through a whole list of options and only thing we can identify is when we leave he gets stressed. We’ve now got to have him with a cone on constantly, he can’t go out and is incredibly unhappy. He just can’t heal and it’s making me so sad - he’s got no quality of life and I’m at a loss what to do. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any ideas?

OP posts:
DeletedByAccident · 17/09/2021 19:20

Oh that’s so sad. My cat did groom a hole in her back but it was in reaction to something so was, thankfully, a one off.

However, we had a sensitive dog do similar. A change to hypoallergenic dog food cured her.

Maybe hypoallergenic cat food, being as your boy has had issues with skin/allergies, might be worth a try? I hope you find the answer soon.

Original poster
SarBear1980 · 17/09/2021 21:17

That’s a great suggestion - thank you. I’m open to trying anything. Thanks @DeletedByAccident

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 17/09/2021 21:48

Has he been tested for a flea allergy?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/09/2021 21:49

I had one cat that, after a lot of vet visits, was still resolutely overgrooming her undercarriage so that she was becoming more and more bald.

Then I had a day off work and after dropping the kids off at school, came back to find her sound asleep on top of the cable TV box. The very hot cable TV box.

Silly thing was cooking herself when nobody was around - she never went anywhere near it when we were at home. So, much to her disgust, I moved it. Overgrooming and bald patches both disappeared, never to be seen again.

Is there a possibility your cat is finding somewhere where he can cook himself when you're out? These days, a cat cam would be a cheap thing to see how he reacts and what he does when you aren't around.

I'd also make sure he has GF/low allergen food, as I'd imagine that cats can also have a higher incidence of skin issues in the same way that humans with Coeliac often have Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

Want2beme · 17/09/2021 21:52

Has the vet suggested any calming medication for him? I've heard of something called Zylkene. Hope he improves soon.

RandomMess · 17/09/2021 22:43

Mine did this when her arthritis started as she was in pain/discomfort- no other symptoms still jumped about.

She's on YuMove supplements and seen a massive improvement very quickly

Lonecatwithkitten · 17/09/2021 22:45

This is the best information on over grooming pain or skin irritation are the most common causes.
Type of pain would depend if site of over grooming for example urinalysis tract pain is a very common cause of abdomen over grooming.
Once pain has been ruled out then skin irritation can be investigated, lots of cats with allergies have a food allergy - but over the counter 'hypoallergenic diets' are no sufficient you need to trial a hydrolysed diet for at least 12 weeks, if they respond often these cats can be managed with diet alone.

CausingChaos2 · 17/09/2021 23:52

Place marking as we are currently seeing a dermatologist with our cat with similar issues.

Original poster
SarBear1980 · 18/09/2021 07:55

Thank you so much for so many replies. We’ve tested for allergies and bladder infections but haven’t looked at food now. I spoke to the Vet Nurse with our pet insurance last night who was fantastic and also suggested some anti anxiety medications. We are going back to our vet today. He has done so much damage to himself now he has to be in a room with a cone on constantly and not let anywhere he can get the cone off or harm himself. It’s so sad. Thank you for all your replies.

OP posts:
CausingChaos2 · 18/09/2021 08:57

It’s awful for them with the cone isn’t it? My cat has got used to it now but I’m desperate to get it off him.

We had a blood test to check his allergies, it showed food as well as environmental allergies which was really helpful. He’s allergic to chicken so has James wellbeloved turkey food instead.

The dermatologist we saw said 90% of the cases he sees are related to a flea allergy. Sadly not in our case (as it would probably be a much easier fix).

We do use piriton and have tried various other antihistamines over the years with the guidance of our vet. The specialist dermatologist has suggested Atopica as a potential option. Apoquel doesn’t seem to have made any difference.

Original poster
SarBear1980 · 18/09/2021 11:55

@CausingChaos2 I’m so sorry you are going through the same and hope you get some answers too soon. We know it’s not a flea allergy too and still at a loss - got another appointment for more tests so I’ll ask about atopica next too. It’s the cone that makes it so hard as it’s just still not healing after 4 months and he’s so sad to be inside all the time as even if I take it off for a few minutes he start to pull at his sores.

OP posts:
powershowerforanhour · 18/09/2021 11:58

Has he been tried on pred? Like, a good old 1-2 mg/kg dose?

MissBattleaxe · 18/09/2021 12:02

My cat has FAD and it's ongoing and a real pain for him. I have switched to a grain free diet which helped his tummy and improved his skin a little. I have also bought a salmon oil food supplement online and put a few pumps of that in the food bowls. I have noticed an improvement since doing this, but my vet says we can't cure it, we just have manage it, so I'm trying everything. I also found anicura gel was good for sore spots.

icedcoffees · 18/09/2021 14:30

What are you feeding him and what's the main protein?

Chicken is a very common allergen in cats and I also have one who is allergic to tuna.

Original poster
SarBear1980 · 18/09/2021 15:43

@powershowerforanhour do you mean steroids? He’s had a couple of steroid injections but we’ve always just ended up in this vicious circle…
I’m going to get a second opinion from a different vet as again my vet keeps saying it’s stress and that has to be resolved to stop the sores. But I feel like the cone and him not being allowed out is causing more stress. But the cone can’t come off because within an hour he’s ripped the top off any healing that’s happened and we are weeks back in healing.

OP posts:
powershowerforanhour · 18/09/2021 16:01

Yes, steroids. Second opinion probably good idea.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 18/09/2021 16:06

Our dcat was stressed when his db died. Huge bald patches...
We got a dkitten. He stopped hair pulling.
Ddog (husky with huge amounts of fur that didn't shed) has had 4 got spots these past few months. Currently coned and on antibiotics..
Also being doused regularly with cool jugs of green tea. Apparently an anti itch method! It works too! Shoved 3 tea bags in a jug of boiling water and allowed to cool. About 3 times a day. Hair is growing back when last week end it was red raw and made me want to retch tbh!!

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