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My kitty has been mutilating herself for over a year now. The vets seem to think she has a food allergy, but haven't been able to pinpoint anything or stop it. I have had little luck with elizabethan collars. She gets a steriod shot every 5 to 6 weeks, which helps a little, but she doesn't clear up. She has torn her face so bad at times I was afraid she might lose an eye.
I have begun to think about declawing her back feet. I know it wouldn't be getting to the root of the problem, but it may help to prevent her from huting herself until I can do that.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

I would normally NEVER reccommend declawing a cat, or even support it, that is my personal opinion.
But having read your other posts and knowing what the alternative would be, I think this is a better way to go.

The only thing that I wonder about, is that if your cat is itching so badly that she's creating severe damage to herself, I would wonder how she would be able to cope with that sever of an itch without being able to relieve it? Of course, itch would be better than tearing herself apart though.

You said this all started when she was up in your attic for two weeks? Do you have fiberglass insulation up there? That stuff is VERY itchy... I know that was a long time ago, and this is a long shot, but have you ever tried SHAVING her head to toe (a skin close shave), and then washing her naked skin and applying ointments?
Just a thought!

Destany
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Actually, yes. This was my origional theory, that it had to with with insulation, maybe getting down in her ears. When the vet did skin scrapings, I did have them shave her whole head, and down into her ears as far as they could. Her ears actually seem to be fine, and she has been away from the insulation for over a year now.
I, too, am normally very opposed to declawing, and I'd hate to have an itch and not be able to scratch it, but she is just going too far with the scratching. Like I said, it is no substitute for curing the problem, and I do not intend to give up on that. I just hate to see her all bloody all the time! She is really hurting herself!

I'm so sorry your cat has to go through all this. It's clear you are doing everything you can to help her and I find that very admirable. Most people would not have gone to half the lengths that you have.
I think declawing her would help her to stop hurting herself so much. I wish you all the luck and lots and lots of GLOW that this problem finds an end soon!

Destany
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This is just a thought. Maybe it was the insulation that started the whole thing. That made her itchy to start with. Then when she dug her face all up while it was healing it was itchy. So she scratched it again. This leading to a cycle of starting to heal, then itchy. Maybe if you declaw her, her face will heal and thus cure your problem.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

I have thought about this, too. However, she has never been a neurotic kind of kitty before this. Something that makes me believe that there is truly something physical wrong with her, is that she has been "thrown out of the pride." She always got along with everybody, even the dog. Ever since this happened, all the other cats started beating up on her every chance they got, and chasing her away. This is not normal for this group of kitties! Makes me think that they know what is wrong with her.

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to this post. It has been one of those weeks.....grrrrrrr! At any rate, I am so sorry for your kitties problem. I would have to agree with Destiny....declawing would be a place to start and she could still scratch her face...on furniture and stuff but not hurt herself. It would seem that this all started with what in her eyes was a traumatic event...being locked in the attic.. so it could be emotional. A little post traumatic stress kitty. As for the other cats they could sense illness or even weakness or even a change in her personality that could have knocked her to the bottom of the kitty hierarchy. Have you tried a behavourist?? That may be an idea too but would consider the declawing just to keep her from hurting herself further while you try and help her. Let us know.
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 18 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
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