Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need help fast.

My 11 year old female, fixed Bengal has some serious issues. This is a cat known to stress. Although she hasn't done this in years in the past if she was stressed about something she would pick a small section of her body and lick it till she had no hair left there. This summer my mom took on a serious and sudden health condition (I live 1200 miles away). I had three trips in two months. In that time my husband had a few day trip as well. (Us leaving is a stressful situation.)

After the last trip she was acting extremely abnormal. We all thought she was dying. We took her to the vet (it was time for shots as well). We did all the bloodwork and urinalysis, explained the changed behavior. Fortunately, everything came back normal. We were told it was mental.

Four weeks after that I had her back in to the vet because she chewed at her back legs to the point that they were red (no fur). The vet said she may have a dermatitis, but thought a lot of this is behavior (she lost 1-1/2 pounds between appt 1 and 2).

Here are her problems: IF she chooses to use her litter box, she sleeps in it! She now has no fur on her underside (from the chin down), [I do think I got the dermatitis solved via anti-itch shampoo (she hates baths but I have no choice) and hydro-cortisone anti-itch lotion - no fur, but at least it's not beat red anymore]. Her stool was normal for a few days but isn't anymore which tells me she is still licking fur away. She is an extremely playful cat. However, we've seen none of that since my last trip (almost three months ago). Yes, she will talk and come and cuddle if I go to her but that is the extent of it (yes, before this with my mom she was absolutely normal).

I have tried everything, I smothered her with love, give her towels to lay on and under, am constantly feeding her etc. I don't know what else to do. )There have been no changes to us, the house, pets, nothing. The only thing that transpired was all the traveling.)

Please any help would be appreciated.

I am so sorry you are having to cope with all this at once!

Good luck!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I have a cat with a similar problem. Topaz is a very stressed, anxious cat all the time (shes had a tough life so I dont blame her). she often licks bare patches off her belly and back legs, and most often they scab and she makes them worse and worse by chewing. Its brought on by stress (most recent was bringing a new cat into the house) and seems to go away after a while. the first vet I had her at said it was only stress. After guessing that she wouldnt have made herself bleed, I took her to a new vet which said its most likely a combo between allergies that make her itchy, and stress. The one thing that has helped her tremendously is giving her fish oil. I just buy fish oil capsules in a health food store and stick a tack in the capsule, and squirt it in her mouth daily. Most cats will eat it on food, but mine is too picky. This helps so much. You may also try applying a cortisone and benadryl cream to her skin on the belly daily (and distract her for 20 minutes or so for it to sink in. This seems to help as well. Otherwise, the vet can maybe prescribe something like Amitriptylline-which is supposed to be very safe, and rather effective, and you can get it formulated into a flavored liquid or even an ear gel. If she's getting hairballs, you can use a hairball food or med or just put vaseline on her paws for her to lick off. Its a great laxative. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

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1.2 Wonderful kitties "KIMBA" "TOPAZ" and "GULLIVER"
1.1 WTF "Pepe & Bendito"
1.1 Firebelly toads "Bif & Kaboom"
0.0.1 Painted (chubby) frog "Millhouse"
0.1 Normal Cornsnake "Skoda"
0.0.3 Red-leg running frogs(??) "Esma, Krank, Kusko"
and Lots of fish!

I have to agree with Madame Alto.You should get a second and maybe even a third opinion on this.It sounds like a allergy and can be cured easily by a good vet.Ask the Vet about Tritop and it may help.
It does sound like a medical proplem.
Lou

Hi, yes you should go to another vet.
Carefull about give any kind of medication to your cat, wait till you vet tells what treatment your cat can take.
Cats are very different from humans and from another cats.
I always recomend a alternative solution like bach flowers.
They can help combine with the vet treatment.

I always recomend a alternative solution like bach flowers.
They can help combine with the vet treatment.
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This may sound dumb of me but what is Bach Flowers.
Lou

>>I always recomend a alternative solution like bach flowers.
>>They can help combine with the vet treatment.
>>---------------------------------
>>This may sound dumb of me but what is Bach Flowers.
>> Lou

There is no such thing as a dumb question, Lou! Anyhow, Bach Flower Essences (one kind is also known as Rescue Remedy) are distillations of various flowers to help with various problems. The most commonly available essence is Rescue Remedy for anxiety. You can find it in most health food stores because it's reputed to work on humans too.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!