Itchy Bald Kitty

[HerbyWitch]

Hi,

So I posted about new kitty not using the litter tray a few days ago - issue solved with that. Onto the new issue!

I've had him 3 weeks tomorrow. He's a rescue. Was a stray. 4 years old in August.

He had bald patches on his legs when I adopted him but didn't question it, put it down to kennel stress. In the 3 weeks since i've had him he has overgroomed/scratched to the point where he now is covered in bald patches. His back legs, by his tail, his chest, the back of his neck, his back. He's scratched himself so much he has scabs and sores everywhere. He is going to the vets at 4pm on Monday, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this?

He has been flea treated, with advantage, and wormed with Profender - both done yesterday and prior to that at the rescue. I can't see any fleas/flea dirt on him but he was little red spots all over his skin, even in the areas he isn't ripping fur from.

As I say, he will be at the vet on Monday but I am interested to hear experiences.

Thank you :-)

Yes, I have an adopted “allergy cat” who was a right mess. The vet put her on oral steroids with a cream for the oozing patches. It cleared up completely in a few weeks and she’s now got a thick healthy coat and doesn’t scratch. She’s treated monthly with a flea tablet to keep them away as I’m sure she’s allergic to fleas as well as whatever else. She would groom for half an hour and was so sore. She’s put on over a kg since we’ve had her which is great because she was stressed and on the thinner side. She takes half a steroid tablet twice a week now to keep whatever allergy it is at bay and is happy and healthy.

Thanks for replying Pinklightning

Glad to hear you got your puss sorted. Did yours actually have fleas, or was it just one bite that had irritated her? I'm quite convinced he doesn't have fleas, he lets me go through his fur with no issues and I haven't seen dirt/a single flea, so it's very weird.

I was thinking it was stress but i'm not sure it is. He certainly isn't settled yet, as he won't be at just 3 weeks, but there are no other signs of stress.

No doubt I will find out at the vet on Monday but I was curious as to other people's experience, so thank you for replying :-)

Here he is

This is an example of when it was bad. She had multiple patches and at its worst her hind leg was practically bald because she’d taken all the fur off along with a lot of skin. There’s no evidence of any of those sores now even through one vet said the fur might not fully grow back. It did and she’s a great fur ball now.

He’s beautiful!

Occasional flea or two back when she just visited us before we adopted her. The stuff that goes on the back of the neck for fleas made it so much worse. The tablets have been great. The vet said that it’s extremely expensive to allergy test cats and most of the time they don’t find a cause/allergen so they just treat with steroids. It’s worked brilliantly and I’m so grateful to our lovely vet for solving the issue.

Oh your poor kit! They look so sore, she really had a good chew of herself there, didn't she! So pleased she is recovered now, it's horrible to think how uncomfortable it is for them. Seymour has the same sores (he came with the name, I didn't chose it FYI!).

Aww thanks! He's a bit of a strange one to have. I got him to be a friend to my other boy. We were due to pick him up on 19th April, and on the 18th my other/original boy was knocked down and killed. I'd had him nearly 9 years! I was going to cancel on the new boy but didn't, and i'm glad I didn't.

Can you try a Feliway plug in as the over grooming sounds like stress. My cat does it, she also gets cystitis at the slightest change in the house. She has the Royal Canin Calm dry food, it's supposed to help with stress.

I did think about the plug-in, thanks DumpedByText

It just doesn't seem stress related, if you know what I mean? I've a lot of experience with rescues and former strays and his general behaviour doesn't suggest stress. I hope it is just that, but I think it is something more. Hopefully a simple skin infection/reaction. I will have to see what vet says on Monday, but the plug-ins are in my Amazon basket! Costing me a fortune already this furry lump!

Just to add, it does seem like a genuine itch, as he will be happily snoozing on my knee (or my head/shoulder/back/claws digging into perimenopausal boob) and then leap up like he's been electrocuted and start obsessively biting/scratching.

My little cat had an allergy to fleas; she had flea shots every 6 months which solved the problem entirely. She pulled all her fur out, poor little thing. Ask the vet if allergy is likely and good luck to you both xx

Thank you :-)

Hopefully it is something simple.