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Biting Tail!!!

post #1 of 16
10/20/11 at 8:14am
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone!! I've been away for a while but we are currently worried about our little guy Petey. Petey has always chased his tail like a puppy... Well I've been away on a business trip since monday morning and arrived back last night. Well this morning when i woke up my bf told me Petey had been attacking his tail all night and wouldn't stop!! He thought it was play but more awkward than usual. I went to see his tail to find it HAIRLESS at the tip!!!!
Now everytime it touches the floor or the carpet, couch, etc. he freaks out and runs off like something is chasing him!!! His behavior was abnormal this morning too. I scheduled a vet appt. for 2 this afternoon. Has anyone dealt with this before?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
10/20/11 at 8:40am
Usually three reasons why a cat will do this

1. Fleas
2. Allergies
3. Stress

Now that shes licked it bald, its probably sensitive, or even inflamed, which is why she is bolting when it touches the ground.
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post #3 of 16
10/20/11 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 
Fleas and allergies can hopefully be taken care of after the vet visit...
You mention stress and i wonder if he has seperation anxiety when i left. This was my first business trip and he's a momma's boy
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post #4 of 16
10/21/11 at 5:12am
A friend of mine has a beautiful male kitty who literally had to have his tail amputated due to this very issue. Unfortunately one day he attacked his tail so badly, and nothing would stop him, that amputation was the only answer. Even then, he would still try to attack the stump. He ended up having to go on medication, not sure which one though but something calming, be it Prozac or another such medication to get him to stop it.

I am hoping that it won't get to that point with your precious baby, and this wasn't meant to scare you, simply inform. Sending vibes to Petey!
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post #5 of 16
10/21/11 at 6:39am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Kailie... my bf and i have already discussed the possibility of tail amputation. If it gets to that point i hope it isn't too much of a painful recovery!!
The visit:
The vet noticed Petey panting which she said indicated pain. But his "rat tail" wasn't red or infected. She had to gas him to shave his tail further up for better inspection. No fleas, ring worm, etc. She ended up giving him injections of Convenia and Depmedrol.

At Home:
He continued to attack his tail even after all this... but i could tail he wasn't in pain anymore, he just wanted to attack. He has an e-collar that's helping a little. I informed the doctor via phone call and she said she wanted to get him on anti-anxiety meds since i also mentioned that he chased his tail on a regular basis and finally pulled the hair out while I was out of town. So now we are trying Amitriptyline HCI 10mg... I hope this is the answer. As of this morning...he still wanted to attack
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post #6 of 16
10/21/11 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by silva_unt View Post
So now we are trying Amitriptyline HCI 10mg... I hope this is the answer. As of this morning...he still wanted to attack
Yes! I do believe that's what my friend put Eddie on as well, and if I remember correctly, it took a little while to work. Thinking of precious Petey!
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post #7 of 16
10/21/11 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kailie View Post
Yes! I do believe that's what my friend put Eddie on as well, and if I remember correctly, it took a little while to work. Thinking of precious Petey!
Thank You!!
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post #8 of 16
10/21/11 at 8:14am
Kitters is an over cleaner with allergies, so about every three years she cleans to excess when she gets itchy and will give herself a bald spot. Every time cortisone baths and covering the area or an e-collar help. (Only had to e-collar once and that is sad, she acts so depressed.) But, I am hoping all goes well for you and you can figure it out.
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post #9 of 16
10/21/11 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
Thank you, I hope the meds work too
I wondered too if it could be allergies since this all kind of started when the cooler weather hit this week.... even my allergies hit me recently.
Another concern I have is Petey's right eye keeps watering up and only since the meds. Is it just because they are making him drowsy or allergies?
We have a follow up visit in 1 week so vibes for my boy please

Thanks
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post #10 of 16
10/23/11 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 
Well, he's punctured his tail attacking and there was a little blood this morning. I could not get him to take his meds this morning. He recognizes pill pockets, tried sandwich meat, tried crushing it in wet food and nothing. A friend told me about wrapping him in towel and tossing it in throat, holding his mouth close until he swallows. I also just read a similar technique on another thread here about easier ways to give meds. Do they sell that pill shooter at petsmart? Going to try the towel thing when bf wakes up. I'm getting so worried about this situation. He bit his tail while i was giving him a break from the e-collar. I guess i'm going to have to leave it on him 24hrs!?
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post #11 of 16
10/23/11 at 12:03pm
Please don't amputate, it does not solve the problem. Why don't vets read up on FHS for heaven's sake?

I read more and more of these types of threads in cat forums lately, and I often wonder how much of it is diet related. Many cat foods are so full of chemicals that I think a cat sensitive to something such as sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate will develop this kind of problem.

Read the labels of what you are feeding. If the food contains any artificial anything, any dyes, or sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate, stop feeding it and get him on a high quality canned diet, preferably grain free, or at least wheat and corn free.

Amitriptyline may help in time, but I urge you to evaluate his diet and install some feliway plug in diffusers to help reduce stress.

Also so some research on FHS, which this is, in my opinion. Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome.
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post #12 of 16
10/23/11 at 12:06pm
For pilling, I advise this: use a dot of something soft and wet s/he likes. You can try mayonnaise, yogurt, even a little soft butter or cream cheese. Just a drop will do. Make sure you have everything ready, in a bowl is good. Pill, and spoon with a little mayonnaise (or whatever)

Use the holding position. Kneel on the floor with your feet crossed behind you, hold kitty between your knees facing out. S/he will try to back away and will not be able to.

With cat in holding position (as described above), put a dot of the mayo (or whatever) on kitty's mouth to keep her busy and to get the saliva flowing (so the pill doesn't stick).

While kitty is licking her mouth, hold pill in one hand, pry open mouth with other, poke pill in, toward side of mouth and as far back as you can.

You can let go of her mouth at this point, but keep a hand on her to keep her still while you get another bit of yogurt (or mayo or...) on your finger and put a dot on her nose and mouth. She will lick off the yogurt and swallow, pill and all.

this can work with liquids too.

I make it sound easier than it is, at first. It does take practice. And you have to approach it with confidence, kitty will sense if you are hesitant. But once you master this method you'll be able to pill any cat, any time. I know I can!

PS if Petey does not eventually accept the pilling (though most cats do in time, especially with this method) the medication can be made into a transdermal gel that is rubbed into the upper ear.
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post #13 of 16
10/24/11 at 12:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
PS if Petey does not eventually accept the pilling (though most cats do in time, especially with this method) the medication can be made into a transdermal gel that is rubbed into the upper ear.
This is interesting! But the towel trick did work. Last night my bf wrapped him and held him like a baby. I then administered the pill. It was quick and he even played a little last night and was talking to me this morning. I think leaving the ecollar on 24 hrs really helped too. It's still on too...

Petey eats wet food only: Natural Balance, Nutro Natural Choice, and Nutro Max chunks in sauce

I will read into FHS too! Thanks

edit: FHS sounds like Petey after just a quick read! Also wanted to add that the vet never mentioned tail amputation... just something i read online... really hoping the meds work!!
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post #14 of 16
12/16/11 at 9:36am
Thread Starter 

Just wanted to give an update with Petey. He will be on the meds long term. I'm continuing to give them to him every other day. If i forget a day we can tell right away! By day 3 of no medication, he is biting his tail! The hair on his tail has grown and the tip is fully covered again, but you can still tell the dr shaved his tail... can't wait till it's completely furry again! He has started to bite his nails now... as if he's moved on from his tail and found something more interesting to chew on! This is less scary then the tail, but hope nothing bad will come from it.

I ended up getting a pill shooter from the vet. She also gave me chewable medicated treats to try instead of the pills, but Petey wouldn't even try it! He's getting so smart though... i swear he's like those patients who know how to hide the pill in his mouth until we're not looking and then spit it out!

Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone for your vibes <3 and give an update :)

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post #15 of 16
12/18/11 at 7:47am
Thank you for the update on your dear Petey. I am so glad the amitriptyline is helping him. I hope he continues to be happy and healthy for many years.

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif Petey heartpump.gif
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post #16 of 16
12/19/11 at 7:27pm

I had a cat that did this also.  He had alot of "issues."  My vet put him on Prozac.  The tail biting stopped, as well as the spraying slowed way down.  His "rage" issues got better too.

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