Over-grooming

[HoldMeCloserTonyDancer]

Has anyone had any success to stop their cat over-grooming with meds prescribed by the vet?
He was seen by the vet last year. Checked for fleas etc. All clear. Tried Zylkene. That didn’t work. Calming collar. Nope. Won’t let me get near enough to use a bitter spray. He was operated on in the area in Nov 2021 and had stitches etc and now seems to be caught in some sort of post trauma loop of constant washing. The fur is bald/sparse. He looks awful.
Has a happy life of luxury. At a loss. Can the vet prescribe anything? X

If it only began after surgery are you sure he's not in pain after the operation?

No. It was over two years ago. The wound has healed nicely. The vet checked him. He doesn’t mind being touched in the area

My rescue cat is the same although hers is related to Flea allergy, she looks a right state at the minute, although is treated and medicated. I also use an antiseptic spray but apply it to a cotton wool pad first before stroking her with it which seems to help for a bit

Have you tried a cone of doom, or a recovery suit (baby grow for cats) - mine kept hers on for 5 mins but you might have more luck

When he had to wear the cone after the op it was like torment for him. He was doing back flips to try to get it off. It settled down eventually and I have considered this for the overgrooming. Yes putting the spray on some cotton wool sounds a good idea. He’s wised up to the sound of the spray and is off as soon as I approach him. Also considered a body suit but I think that might just cause more stress. The vet said last year it was stress caused by his environment. There really is no stress at the moment and hasn’t been for the past year. He just seems in a cycle that needs breaking x

Steroid injections worked for mine

Oh really? That sounds hopeful. How many injections? Was it a course? I’m happy to do whatever it takes x

Every 10-12 weeks he had one but that's because if he didn't, he kept overgrooming
It might just break the cycle as a one off

Was it caused by stress or itchy skin in his case - I can't remember. I still think of him often. 💔

Hope so. This is what he’s done

Is it mostly around the back end, that is a sign of Flea Allergy. Most flea treatment needs to have the flea bite the cat even if it then kills the flea but the cat then over grooms, has he got any small (or large, where he's been scratching) scabs?

My cat is flea treated and combed everyday and I never find any on her but the buggers still manage to come in prob on boy cat who has no such issues and then they jump on to girl (allergic) cat and it only takes one bite to set her off

Nope. No fleas. No scabs and no sores from the constant washing. The vet did his anal glands last year to see if it was that

I previously had a cat who overgroomed every spring - as he was an outdoor cat the vet and I assumed it was a seasonal plant allergy
steroids really helped along with feliway

So we had the vet’s yesterday. Vet seems to think it’s a flea allergy. He said you can’t always see them. He gave him a steroid anti inflammatory injection and administered a new type of flea killer. I have to do another two a month apart. Didn’t dream the constant washing could be caused by fleas especially when I’ve seen none on him. Shows what I know eh. He slept well last night. He’s usually up all night grooming. See how we go x