My 13 year old cat is chewing her hair off and it has gotten really bad. Took her to Solomons last month and they gave her a shot and some ointment to put on it and it has done nothing but maybe made it worse it seems. Also they charged me close to 400.00. I need to find a Vet that is good with Cats and doesn't cost me a car payment. They did blood work and came back fine so it is really frustrating me.

Also she is chewing to the point where she is causing sores and bleeding.

duct tape her feet :yay:

My 13 year old cat is chewing her hair off and it has gotten really bad. Took her to Solomons last month and they gave her a shot and some ointment to put on it and it has done nothing but maybe made it worse it seems. Also they charged me close to 400.00. I need to find a Vet that is good with Cats and doesn't cost me a car payment. They did blood work and came back fine so it is really frustrating me.

I went through this with my cat some years ago. It started with him chewing his hair out. I took him to several different vets. They treated with a bunch of different stuff, but never could figure out what it was. It just continued to get worse. Then he started losing weight, and had the worst diarhea possible. When I finally had him euthanized, he had almost no hair and had dropped from a beautiful, healthy 14 lbs to a sad, sick little old man of 6 lbs.

It sounds like what he had might have been some kind of auto immune disorder. If I had to do it all over again, I'd start looking for a specialist right away.

Where are you located? I use a vet that travels but not sure if she services your area. She is wonderful!

So the bloodwork showed nothing? Thyroid problems and diabetes both are quite common in older cats.

Have you checked for fleas? Did they do a scraping of the sores?

I go to all kinds up in callaway (sp). they have done really good with my cats. I had one that had a blood disorder (something was attacking his red blood cells) they think its because my previous vet (solomons) put him on baby asprin for a heart murmur and had me giving it to him daily which I was told by all kinds that no cat should be on asprin daily for over a year as it does harm to them. They were honest with me and told me that there was nothing that they could do without me going to a specialist and they warned me a head of time that it would be a very expensive trip. We did what we could to keep the cat comfortable til we had to put him to sleep last november because he quit eating.

My 13 year old cat is chewing her hair off and it has gotten really bad. Took her to Solomons last month and they gave her a shot and some ointment to put on it and it has done nothing but maybe made it worse it seems. Also they charged me close to 400.00. I need to find a Vet that is good with Cats and doesn't cost me a car payment. They did blood work and came back fine so it is really frustrating me.

Also she is chewing to the point where she is causing sores and bleeding.

We are located in Lusby. She has lost 2 lbs since the summer from what we know. No Fleas and the doctor verified. We thought maybe ringworm but they came back with nothing. Since she was old they did some type of Geriatric Full Blood workup. All I know is it cost like 175.00 just for the bloodwork. They did give her a steroid shot but that maybe worked for a couple days. They also gave her Miconazole Lotion which has done nothing. If she is in pain and it is not something simple then I just want to try to figure it out and have her put down if she is in that much pain. Sorry but I cannot and will not spend 1000's of dollars on her so I want to try to atleast find out what is wrong.

I go to all kinds up in callaway (sp). they have done really good with my cats. I had one that had a blood disorder (something was attacking his red blood cells) they think its because my previous vet (solomons) put him on baby asprin for a heart murmur and had me giving it to him daily which I was told by all kinds that no cat should be on asprin daily for over a year as it does harm to them. They were honest with me and told me that there was nothing that they could do without me going to a specialist and they warned me a head of time that it would be a very expensive trip. We did what we could to keep the cat comfortable til we had to put him to sleep last november because he quit eating.


Oh and for the sores yes they did scrape them and put them under the microscope. Came back with nada. Gave me some hypoallergenic shampoo to bathe her with.

We are located in Lusby. She has lost 2 lbs since the summer from what we know. No Fleas and the doctor verified. We thought maybe ringworm but they came back with nothing. Since she was old they did some type of Geriatric Full Blood workup. All I know is it cost like 175.00 just for the bloodwork. They did give her a steroid shot but that maybe worked for a couple days. They also gave her Miconazole Lotion which has done nothing. If she is in pain and it is not something simple then I just want to try to figure it out and have her put down if she is in that much pain. Sorry but I cannot and will not spend 1000's of dollars on her so I want to try to atleast find out what is wrong.

If she is chewing her hair esp in the behind area, my first thought is thyroid. I think that would have shown up in the bloodwork, though. I had a cat that lived to be about 14 or 15 that was on thyroid meds til the end.
Odd that the blood work didn't show anything abnormal.

If she is chewing her hair esp in the behind area, my first thought is thyroid. I think that would have shown up in the bloodwork, though. I had a cat that lived to be about 14 or 15 that was on thyroid meds til the end.
Odd that the blood work didn't show anything abnormal.

they may not have done the thyroid test.... may have just dont the CBC, chem and Lytes.

My vet is Dr. Darnell. She is mobile now and she will come to your home. Lusby is an area she services. She was at Prince Frederick Animal Hospital for years.

Darnells Mobile Veterinary Service / Home (http://www.darnellsmobilevet.com/index.pml)

She is very nice, you will like her. You can just talk to her and tell her what you've done.

What are you feeding her? How long has this been going on? Do you use a woodstove or fireplace for a heat source?

We are located in Lusby. She has lost 2 lbs since the summer from what we know. No Fleas and the doctor verified. We thought maybe ringworm but they came back with nothing. Since she was old they did some type of Geriatric Full Blood workup. All I know is it cost like 175.00 just for the bloodwork. They did give her a steroid shot but that maybe worked for a couple days. They also gave her Miconazole Lotion which has done nothing. If she is in pain and it is not something simple then I just want to try to figure it out and have her put down if she is in that much pain. Sorry but I cannot and will not spend 1000's of dollars on her so I want to try to atleast find out what is wrong.

If you want to find out what's wrong, you're gonna' have to spend it.

Food allergies?

Food allergies?

Yeah that was a concern but we have not changed her food and looked and made sure they have not changed their formula. She likes to snack on the dogs food sometimes and that has not changed either.

If you want to find out what's wrong, you're gonna' have to spend it.

I understand that concept but sorry I am not going to let a vet bend me over the counter. They were really nice there but I have spend 1200.00 in the cat in the past 8 months and cannot afford to spend that type of money. So I am not going to pay 5-600 for just a battery of tests. Like I said why did blood work cost 175.00? Heck my daughter just got blood work and it cost like 80.00 so an animal is that much more expensive??

I understand that concept but sorry I am not going to let a vet bend me over the counter. They were really nice there but I have spend 1200.00 in the cat in the past 8 months and cannot afford to spend that type of money. So I am not going to pay 5-600 for just a battery of tests. Like I said why did blood work cost 175.00? Heck my daughter just got blood work and it cost like 80.00 so an animal is that much more expensive??

If you're not willing to spend the money, you're not going to find out what's wrong with your kitty. That's how it works.

Yeah that was a concern but we have not changed her food and looked and made sure they have not changed their formula. She likes to snack on the dogs food sometimes and that has not changed either.

Could still be the food even though you have been giving the same food.
Animal allergeries change.

My vet is Dr. Darnell. She is mobile now and she will come to your home. Lusby is an area she services. She was at Prince Frederick Animal Hospital for years.

Darnells Mobile Veterinary Service / Home (http://www.darnellsmobilevet.com/index.pml)

She is very nice, you will like her. You can just talk to her and tell her what you've done.

What are you feeding her? How long has this been going on? Do you use a woodstove or fireplace for a heat source?

I'm trying to help you...

Did you get my pm and did you give Dr. Darnell a call?

Do you use a woodstove or fireplace for a heat source?

Dry air, very good point.

Yeah that was a concern but we have not changed her food and looked and made sure they have not changed their formula. She likes to snack on the dogs food sometimes and that has not changed either.

Food allergies are a good possibility. One of my cats did the same thing- I spent lots of $ trying to find why she was scratching for months and covered with scabby sores. I finally changed her diet to all meat canned food and her skin cleared up almost immediately (she had been eating canned fish, tuna and dry food). Can't hurt to try a diet change on your cat- allergies can take a while to develop which is why she may have been fine until now.

Be very hesitant to use steroids- a cat can develop diabetes quickly from using them.

Dry air, very good point.

Inhalant allergies as well. :yay: And it's more common than you'd think.

I'm trying to help you...

Did you get my pm and did you give Dr. Darnell a call?

I can answer...
Meow Mix, wet at night and dry out all day.
Only a gas firelplace and only rarely.
This started with just the pulling out of hair like Octoberish, it has just recently gotten BAD, multiple open wounds, we took her to Solomons last month, it got better for like a week or two, but is now worse than ever.

Inhalant allergies as well. :yay: And it's more common than you'd think.

I believe you.

Not sure what u are feeding your kitty, but I think maybe food allergies also, make sure that the food you are feeding is high quality, you don't have to spend a fortune on fancy food..... just read the labels

make sure that the first ingredient is not corn, many animals have problems with corn, even walmart brand offers a dry food where the first ingredient isn't corn.... look for a lamb and rice mixture.


oops just saw meow mix--- full of corn

I can answer...
Meow Mix, wet at night and dry out all day.
Only a gas firelplace and only rarely.
This started with just the pulling out of hair like Octoberish, it has just recently gotten BAD, multiple open wounds, we took her to Solomons last month, it got better for like a week or two, but is now worse than ever.

I would specifically ask Solomons if they tested for thyroid problems and diabetes. If they did and they were negative, I'd go from there. Is she and in/out cat? Has something changed in the house that might have upset her? New animal? Is she eating well? Same amount or less? If she's eating normal for her, and has lost 2 pounds then I'd say she's got something else going on other than an allergy. Thyroid (most cats get the overactive problem) issues make a cat look dirty, their coats look horrible and they lose weight rapidly. Once diagnosed, the meds are very inexpensive and vets will give you a script to get it at WalMart, etc. and it is much cheaper than getting it from a vet. I had a cat that lived to be about 14 with hyperthyroidism.

After you have found out from vet that it's not thyroid issue or diabetes, and
IF you want to try to do things for her yourself, I'd start with a better food. Something grain free. EVO is good but it's costly. Petco carries a decent grain free food, Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance...just be sure to check the label because some "flavors" of his food are not grain free. They also sell grain free canned in the same brand. You don't have to leave dry out all day..just give it to her a couple of times a day..better for her and not as expensive.

I'd also get some fish oil capsules and squeeze one over her wet food once a day. That will help with dry skin.

I would specifically ask Solomons if they tested for thyroid problems and diabetes. If they did and they were negative, I'd go from there. Is she and in/out cat? Has something changed in the house that might have upset her? New animal? Is she eating well? Same amount or less? If she's eating normal for her, and has lost 2 pounds then I'd say she's got something else going on other than an allergy. Thyroid (most cats get the overactive problem) issues make a cat look dirty, their coats look horrible and they lose weight rapidly. Once diagnosed, the meds are very inexpensive and vets will give you a script to get it at WalMart, etc. and it is much cheaper than getting it from a vet. I had a cat that lived to be about 14 with hyperthyroidism.

After you have found out from vet that it's not thyroid issue or diabetes, and
IF you want to try to do things for her yourself, I'd start with a better food. Something grain free. EVO is good but it's costly. Petco carries a decent grain free food, Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance...just be sure to check the label because some "flavors" of his food are not grain free. They also sell grain free canned in the same brand. You don't have to leave dry out all day..just give it to her a couple of times a day..better for her and not as expensive.

I'd also get some fish oil capsules and squeeze one over her wet food once a day. That will help with dry skin.

Thank you Catt for your help. I have made an appointment for this afternoon at Calvert Animal Hospital, which my mom very highly recommends. I am having her records faxed from Solomons. I will ask Dr. Brown if her records indicate those things being checked.
Thanks again.

Thank you Catt for your help. I have made an appointment for this afternoon at Calvert Animal Hospital, which my mom very highly recommends. I am having her records faxed from Solomons. I will ask Dr. Brown if her records indicate those things being checked.
Thanks again.

:yay: Hope they're able to help you out. Let me know how she makes out.

My 18-year-old female has a similar problem. Changed diet to PROPLAN Turkey and Barley mix and she stopped chewing her rear haunches. Sounds like yours has developed a food allergy - typical in some older cats - Is yours siamese by chance?

Hey Tina, how'd the vet visit go today?

Hey Tina, how'd the vet visit go today?

Dr. Brown did a biopsy, looking for cancer....He didn't seem very optimistic...now we wait 5 days....:frown:
He said something about the skin being real thick where she was chewing (like maybe tumors) and the skin all around it being thin...


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Dr. Brown did a biopsy, looking for cancer....He didn't seem very optimistic...now we wait 5 days....:frown:
He said something about the skin being real thick where she was chewing (like maybe tumors) and the skin all around it being thin...


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I was wondering about that....the weight loss bothered me. Two pounds is a lot for a cat. I've lost my last 5 cats to cancer. :frown:

I'll be thinking good thoughts for your old friend. :huggy:

I was wondering about that....the weight loss bothered me. Two pounds is a lot for a cat. I've lost my last 5 cats to cancer. :frown:

I'll be thinking good thoughts for your old friend. :huggy:

Thanks, I just don't want her to be in pain. She is a step-cat, she came with FCS, and as hard as he tries to pretend to be :bigwhoop:, this is gonna tear him up.
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Thanks, I just don't want her to be in pain. She is a step-cat, she came with FCS, and as hard as he tries to pretend to be :bigwhoop:, this is gonna tear him up.
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:huggy: