Blue is missing fur on her tummy

blueandfrodo · Jan 4, 2010

Blue is a 12.5 year old siamese grumpy old lady. She always had issues with vomiting but since switching her to better food and canned instead of kibble that has gotten much better. Besides needing her teeth cleaned, which we will do sometime in the next few months, she seems to be in great health.

But, lately I have noticed that she is missing fur on her tummy. Well, not so much her tummy but between her hind legs in the tummy area. I don't know if she is licking it out. I would assume she would have a lot of hairballs if she licked out that much fur! It is not bald, but nearly bald. It is not raw or sore looking at all. I don't see her licking herself. She spends quite a bit of time either curled up on the back of the couch or in her bed in the cupboard over the fridge - it is really nice and warm up there

I guess she could be licking herself when she is up there but I haven't noticed it.

What do you think it could be?

I thought I would try to get some picture. They are grainy and not in focus (sorry) but the best I can do as one person, holding the cat and taking the picture!

otto · Jan 4, 2010

It does look like she's been licking, but I advise a trip to the vet, and get a senior blood panel done.

She's having her teeth cleaned soon?

Mouth pain can cause stress, and stress can cause excessive licking and bare spots. Problems with teeth and gums can also cause other diseases mainly kidney disease.

Hyperthyroid disease can bring on fur loss, or cause stress behaviors like licking too.

Blue needs a check up with blood work to find out what's going on.

Please keep us updated!

blueandfrodo · Jan 4, 2010

Thank you.

I will try to get to the vet as soon as I can. I live 2 1/2 hours from our vet. The closest vet is 2 hours away but I don't know them. I like my vet and I trust them.

I am planning to get her teeth cleaned over the Easter break. I also have to get allergy testing and a broken tooth removed for one of my dogs. Why does it all happen at the same time??

If it turns out to be her teeth then I will get that done as soon as I can. Since the vet is so far away we have to take time off work to get it done

That is why we were hoping to wait for the Easter break for everything.

violet · Jan 4, 2010

blueandfrodo, under hair damaging behavior
http://www.vetinfo.com/cathair.html
Dr. Mike Richards mentions something on his website you might want to know about.

Licking abdomen

Q: My 8 1/2 year old cat has been licking her lower abdomen for almost 5 months now. I took her to the vet in January and they ran extensive tests on her and found nothing physically wrong with her. She was given steroid shots to possibly stop the psychological licking, but that did not seem to work. Is there anything that can be put on topically, or will she always have a bald spot on her stomach?

A: When this condition is not responsive to corticosteroids I usually look for one or two other conditions. Some cats lick their abdomen when they have cystitis or other causes of abdominal pain. We have seen this resolve in cats with bladder stones once the stones were recognized and removed. I felt really bad about not recognizing this possibility in the first case --- but I just hadn't thought about the possibility of pain as an initiating factor in the licking. Some cats do seem to do this as a neurotic type behavior. Using anti-anxiety medications or identifying the underlying cause of stress can help in resolving the situation in that case.

Ask your vet about the possibility that this behavior may be related to cystitis or abdominal pain and about medications for anxiety if you think that may be helpful.

I don't know of a topical medication likely to help.

Mike Richards, DVM

Last edited 01/08/07

blueandfrodo · Jan 4, 2010

Thank you for the information.

I don't think that it is neurotic behaviour. My DSH does this often if there is a change, he doesn't not handle change well. He will lick a spot on the inside of his hind leg or his armpit bald but it gets scabby and sore looking. He doesn't do it often but just if there is a change. I try not to change things much for him. It is easier this way.

I am not sure about the urinary problems either. It is totally possible but the last time (and only time - so far - thank goodness!) she had a problem (urinary tract infection) she peed on clothes, she didn't lick. I will check it out, though, when we go to the vet.

otto · Jan 4, 2010

I understand that a trip to the vet is a major undertaking, but at 12 years old a cat's health can change fast. Early detection is crucial to any treatment she may need.

And if she is have urinary tract issues, she may be in some pain.

Cats are masters at hiding illness, and usually by the time the human notices something is wrong, (through NO fault of their own) the cat has been ill for quite some time.

I strongly urge you to try to find a way to get her to the vet, for blood work and a urine check, as soon as possible.

I don't mean to sound dramatic, but Easter may be too late.

blueandfrodo · Jan 4, 2010

I am planning to go earlier than Easter now that I noticed her tummy. I was going to wait for Easter for the teeth cleaning. If something has to be done sooner, it has to be done sooner.

april feola · Jun 28, 2016

Did you ever find out what was wrong with Blue's tummy, my kitty is showing the same thing

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Blue is missing fur on her tummy

blueandfrodo

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otto

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violet

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