Hairless Tummy and Hind Legs

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #21

catsrule40

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
30
Purraise
10
Location
The South
No, the vet didn't check her thyroid in the latest blood work. I didn't think to ask.


That is my next step...the limited ingredient food, then raw. I bought a bag each of Nature's Variety yesterday in dry and raw. She isn't too keen on eating wet food, but if my other cat didn't eat dry again, he'd be perfectly happy.

 

taters

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
7
Purraise
1
Please, if you can, continue to share your results with the various strategies  you are using. I am in the same boat with my cat Scooter--she has been to the veterinarian for 4 visits over the past 6 months to try to find out the cause of her licking stomach/hind legs.  I have tried various prescription diets, different cleaners, and cat litters.  He ruled out fleas, diet, allergies, thyroid and feels her licking is psychogenic (anxiety). She was a feral cat, and does not like the presence of our other two cats (also ex-ferals, male).   She is taking Elavil 5m twice daily, and is doing a bit better, but not entirely.  I am starting her on a liquid formula of the Elavil today (the pills stick to back of her tongue since they are broken in half).  She sometimes looks so miserable...it is so sad and frustrating.

Thank you for starting this thread and for sharing your experiences.
 

zoocat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
112
Purraise
37
Location
Alabama
I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share that I also have a 7year old cat, Sammy, that chews and licks all the hair off his belly, hind legs and some on his front legs.  This has been going on for several years.  When I took him to my former vet....all he would even consider was "flea allergy" and kept giving him the steroid shots...a shot then another two weeks later.  As others have said, this did help for a month or so.   I'd take him back for a round of shots about 3 or 4 times a year.  Last year, I kinda lost faith in this vet.  I'd used him for maybe 20 years and thought he was great, but several things started piling up in my mind and doubt grew.  The fact that he wouldn't even consider food allergy and said testing was too expensive and not conclusive just added to it.  About the same time, I started reading more about food and nutrition and I switched his food from the Kirkland brand to a grain free dry (Wellness Core) and started feeding alot more canned food...all grain free.  His hair all grew back, he had a beautiful full coat of hair all over his body and he stopped licking and chewing himself!  I was elated....Joy, problem found and solved.........NOPE!   After about three months of no licking, he has started licking and chewing again.  He's no where near as bad as he was, but he is licking and chewing enough that I figure it's just a matter of time.  All the food is still grain free.  So, I'm thinking it's something else new besides just grain.  I haven't taken him to my new vet yet.  I won't let her give him more steroid shots though.  I've read too much about  the long term negatives of doing that and he already has had "long term" use.   So, I'm interested in this topic for sure and apologize if I shouldn't have replied to an old thread.
 

msahmad99

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Location
LA Crosse, Wi
My cat had the same problem with alopecia. She would groom constantly and literally pull her hair out. Tried Benadryl...not so good. Had 3 months of Revolution, finally the vet put my girl on Prozac. After 6 weeks she is a new cat!! All her hair on her legs, belly and sides is all grown back. She is beautiful girl now!
 

goholistic

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
3,306
Purraise
370
Location
Northeast USA
 
I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share that I also have a 7year old cat, Sammy, that chews and licks all the hair off his belly, hind legs and some on his front legs.  This has been going on for several years.  When I took him to my former vet....all he would even consider was "flea allergy" and kept giving him the steroid shots...a shot then another two weeks later.  As others have said, this did help for a month or so.   I'd take him back for a round of shots about 3 or 4 times a year.  Last year, I kinda lost faith in this vet.  I'd used him for maybe 20 years and thought he was great, but several things started piling up in my mind and doubt grew.  The fact that he wouldn't even consider food allergy and said testing was too expensive and not conclusive just added to it.  About the same time, I started reading more about food and nutrition and I switched his food from the Kirkland brand to a grain free dry (Wellness Core) and started feeding alot more canned food...all grain free.  His hair all grew back, he had a beautiful full coat of hair all over his body and he stopped licking and chewing himself!  I was elated....Joy, problem found and solved.........NOPE!   After about three months of no licking, he has started licking and chewing again.  He's no where near as bad as he was, but he is licking and chewing enough that I figure it's just a matter of time.  All the food is still grain free.  So, I'm thinking it's something else new besides just grain.  I haven't taken him to my new vet yet.  I won't let her give him more steroid shots though.  I've read too much about  the long term negatives of doing that and he already has had "long term" use.   So, I'm interested in this topic for sure and apologize if I shouldn't have replied to an old thread.
I'm sorry that Sammy has been doing this for so long. You'd think his tongue would be tired!  
  Overgrooming is definitely frustrating because it could have many causes, such as flea and food allergies (as you have already explored). It can also be caused by a contact allergy, such as litter or bedding material. Have you considered the litter? In my experience, a true food allergy will cause symptoms farther up on the body, such as scratching of the face, ears, head, and neck, as well as recurrent ear infections and gastrointestinal symptoms. I have found that overgrooming of the belly and hind legs is oftentimes associated with Psychogenic Alopecia and/or a contact allergy that touches those parts of the body, like litter. Overgrooming/nibbling of the belly and nipples can also be a sign of internal/GI discomfort, which was the case with my Sebastian. Again, this is just in my experience, but I'm sure it various among cases. Here's a link on Psychogenic Alopecia: http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/psychogenic-alopecia-in-cats/
My cat had the same problem with alopecia. She would groom constantly and literally pull her hair out. Tried Benadryl...not so good. Had 3 months of Revolution, finally the vet put my girl on Prozac. After 6 weeks she is a new cat!! All her hair on her legs, belly and sides is all grown back. She is beautiful girl now!
I'm glad the Prozac worked for your girl! Yes, sometimes when overgrooming is severe enough and caused by Psychogenic Alopecia, anti-anxiety and anti-depressent medications can help. Other non-medicinal things that may help include Feliway diffusers, Spirit Essences, Bach's Rescue Remedy for Pets (alcohol-free version), calming treats containing l-theanine, play sessions, and eliminating causes of stress.
 

msahmad99

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Location
LA Crosse, Wi
I tried the Prozac because she was stressed out from being a newly adopted cat. The vet didn't think it was allergies. ..more of a OCD issue. The only thing I didn't like with Prozac is she slept all day long. She is a very active cat but to see her doped up hurt me. But I figured it was better than the alternative of having a crazy bald cat. She hasn't been on her mess for 2 weeks now and her OCD seems to be at bay. Hopefully when winter comes she won't revert to her tendencies again.
 

zoocat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
112
Purraise
37
Location
Alabama
Thanks GoHolistic. Yes it is frustrating...so many possibilities! He doesn't have (at this point) any GI problems..No throwing up, no loose stool or constipation, has good sized daily peeballs.
And he doesn't scratch his head or neck or ears...And doesn't and hasn't had any ear infections. So I have thought I should try changing the litter and/or getting one of those "calming" aids to see if it's anxiety. He always has one of those startled expressions on his face and big wide eyes but he isn't scared of anything or anyone...not even the vacuum! Thank you for your suggestions and thoughts. I've followed many of your threads about your sweet boy and send you my hopes for better days ahead for him and you. It's so hard when our furbabies don't feel good.
 

goholistic

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
3,306
Purraise
370
Location
Northeast USA
Thanks GoHolistic. Yes it is frustrating...so many possibilities! He doesn't have (at this point) any GI problems..No throwing up, no loose stool or constipation, has good sized daily peeballs.
And he doesn't scratch his head or neck or ears...And doesn't and hasn't had any ear infections. So I have thought I should try changing the litter and/or getting one of those "calming" aids to see if it's anxiety. He always has one of those startled expressions on his face and big wide eyes but he isn't scared of anything or anyone...not even the vacuum! Thank you for your suggestions and thoughts. I've followed many of your threads about your sweet boy and send you my hopes for better days ahead for him and you. It's so hard when our furbabies don't feel good.
I wish you the best of luck in figuring it out!  And thanks for the well-wishes. 
 

faythe

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Messages
82
Purraise
12
Hey guys, I figured would just throw my two cents in here since I had/have this issue with one of my cats. A few weeks after I adopted him last year I stared to notice he had licked his stomach raw. I was bringing him in for a check up anyway and I mentioned it to the vet that he had just started to do this. She recommended Prozac also, but I wanted to see if I could figure out the problem first before I just threw him on psych meds.  I tried switching his food and also got feliway plug-ins for my apartment but it just seemed to be getting worse. So I took him back into the vets office and saw another dr. He said it might be flea allergy and gave me flea medication for him, he said even tho he is an indoor cat I could have carried a flea inside with me from the yard. So I treated him and my apartment about 5 times with different sprays and natural powders and everything. I spent so much money trying to get rid of non existent fleas.  We went back to the vet again and I was given the suggestion of Prozac again but I still was not ready to do that. He gave me liquid steroids to give him which seemed to help a bit but not much.  So I continued my search on here and other sites for suggestions of what the problem could be and then someone mentioned their cat was licking his hair off of the same exact spots and that it was from the liter they were using.  Now at the time I didn't know too much about all the different litters and how much they can affect our cats, so I had been using a scented litter. I instantly switched to unscented, and with in 2 weeks all the bald spots were gone. But I do notice that if I run out of the feliway plug in and not realize they are empty he starts to over groom a bit again but within a week of replacing them he will stop..  it sucks because they are pretty expensive and I have two I have to replace usually once a month but I try to find them on sale and stock up on them.
 

zoocat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
112
Purraise
37
Location
Alabama
 
Hey guys, I figured would just throw my two cents in here since I had/have this issue with one of my cats. A few weeks after I adopted him last year I stared to notice he had licked his stomach raw. I was bringing him in for a check up anyway and I mentioned it to the vet that he had just started to do this. She recommended Prozac also, but I wanted to see if I could figure out the problem first before I just threw him on psych meds.  I tried switching his food and also got feliway plug-ins for my apartment but it just seemed to be getting worse. So I took him back into the vets office and saw another dr. He said it might be flea allergy and gave me flea medication for him, he said even tho he is an indoor cat I could have carried a flea inside with me from the yard. So I treated him and my apartment about 5 times with different sprays and natural powders and everything. I spent so much money trying to get rid of non existent fleas.  We went back to the vet again and I was given the suggestion of Prozac again but I still was not ready to do that. He gave me liquid steroids to give him which seemed to help a bit but not much.  So I continued my search on here and other sites for suggestions of what the problem could be and then someone mentioned their cat was licking his hair off of the same exact spots and that it was from the liter they were using.  Now at the time I didn't know too much about all the different litters and how much they can affect our cats, so I had been using a scented litter. I instantly switched to unscented, and with in 2 weeks all the bald spots were gone. But I do notice that if I run out of the feliway plug in and not realize they are empty he starts to over groom a bit again but within a week of replacing them he will stop..  it sucks because they are pretty expensive and I have two I have to replace usually once a month but I try to find them on sale and stock up on them.
Which litter did you switch to?  I've decided that's what I'm going to try next.  I've been using Tidy Cat Multiple Cat and I'm pretty sure it's unscented.  From reading threads here, it seems to me the top choices might be Dr. Elsey' Respiratory Relief; Natures Miracle Intense Defense; Odour Buster; and maybe Tractor Supply's Paws & Claws.  I guess I'll see if I can find any of those at Petsmart or Petco when I go today.  I think we have a Tractor Supply but not sure where it is....will check on that if I can't find one of the higher choices.  Thank you for your input.  I think I'll also go ahead and order the Feliway plug ins and some Omega 3 supplements. 
 

faythe

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Messages
82
Purraise
12
Hey no problem, I switched to Dr. Elseys precious cat ultra. That seems to be working great and the price is actually reasonable. Sometimes the litters will say unscented but still have some perfume in them so be careful.
 

goholistic

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
3,306
Purraise
370
Location
Northeast USA
Keep in mind that some kitties are allergic to clay. If this is the case, switching from one clay litter to another clay litter might not help. To rule out a clay allergy, some switch to an unscented non-clay litter, like Feline Pine (pine), Swheat Scoop (wheat), World's Best Cat Litter (corn), or Yesterday's News (recycled paper). I actually find some of these alternative litters to be allergens in of themselves, so if it were my cat, I'd probably try Yesterday's News or similar type. The chances of the cat being allergic to paper is probably slim. 
 

magiclove

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Messages
5
Purraise
1
Oh gosh this blog makes me sad. I have a beautiful black cat 4 years old. Got he amd his tuxedo brother as rescues when 8 weeks. My little black cat has the exact thing everyone is talking about here . . .losing hair on belly, then back of hind legs. Feliway worked I think but not sure. Hair at least stopped coming out. Now it's worse amd kicking and scratching. It's breaking my heart. Not sure what to try first. Vet appt in two days and worried they will just do the steroid thing or tell me fleas. I have no fleas! And they are indoor. This is so daunting . . .is it litter, food which is grain free, stress, anxiety . . . He comes to me crying more amd more middle of nite. Amd now what's added is I'm giving up my private practice for a full time job and will be gone 4 additional hours each day. . .all day basically. Ugh not sure what to do first. Maybe get refills mm hormones, paper made litter makes sense too. Ugh guess I'm looking for support and what to try next so heartbroken that I can't help him [emoji]128533[/emoji][emoji]128546[/emoji]
Thank you in advance for your support and any advice. I will check back and hope you are all here even tho old post.
Sad kitty mommy,
Michelle
 

mnm

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
966
Purraise
660
Location
Phoenix
My tuxedo kitty had the patterened baldness as well. We tried eliminating certain foods...nothing helped. Finally, I read up on Zyrtec online and started putting the suggested amounts I read up on, in her food. All her fur grew back. I stopped the zyrtec when we went on vacation, and thought...well maybe it broke her of a licking habit or something so discontinued it. Nope. She started licking again. So I started it up again and bingo, she was fine. I must say we gave it to both cats as our other one suffers with some hot spots, but it did nothing for that kitty, just the patterned baldness kitty. it was a godsend!

I took it upon myself to give her the zyrtec just by what I had read. I didn't ask my vet, so I only wanted to say it worked for our kitty and I was thrilled.
 

magiclove

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Messages
5
Purraise
1
Wow MnM - thank you for posting.

I have to say I would've been nervous about something over the counter tried on my own. How did you know how much to give??  I'll definitely read up on Zyrtec.  Would love to know what site you found that talked about suggested amounts...??  and yes my other cat - my tuxedo - zero signs of irritation or losing hair. My black boy always seems to be the one with little irritations and skin problems. I'm guessing that it was from his birth and whatever he was exposed to and just ended up more sensitive. The risk we take when we adopt right??  

I just hurt to see him lick and scratch. and not sure about separation anxiety as I'm guilty leading up to very full days away from home starting next Monday. (He's visibly affected when I play or hug on him less) .

I'm also very tempted to cancel the Vet appt Thursday... just feel like they'll suggest steroids and flea meds like last time. Yes the oral steroids helped, but I'd rather not put that in his system.

Thank you for taking the time to post. A few questions if you don't mind....

How long did your tuxedo have the hair loss problem?  

And how long has he/she been on Zyrtec now?  and is it daily??  

I only give wet food as a treat but can see this increasing.  I also ordered the clay-free litter and the hormones again - not sure if they will matter.  The food is already top line, grain free.

Thanks again MnM. I pray this might work for my little boy. Michelle
 

mnm

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
966
Purraise
660
Location
Phoenix
http://www.petmd.com/blogs/dailyvet/2010/february/zyrtec_for_cats-5403
I remember seeing this article first, and then continued to search zyrtec for cats. I bought the Target brand of zyrtec. They came in 10mg pills, and I cut it in half and smashed the 5mg (half tablet) in her food 2x a day.
Here is a chart that suggests dosage ...scroll down once you open it.
http://cheyennewest.com/antihistamines-for-dogs-cats/

Again, please just search and decide for yourself, as it was a miracle for Minnie, but gosh I hesitate to tell someone to give it to their cat as all kitties tolerate meds differently, but I did a lot of searching and came to the decision to try it.

I read your post but hadn't answered due to the fact we just put Minnie down Saturday and I have been sad, but I just had to post this solution that worked for her.. The past 3 weeks as we dealt with her chylothorax I didn't give her the zyrtec and noticed the past week she would be resting and all of a sudden sit up to lick her belly..so I knew she was beginning to itch again.
 
Last edited:

mnm

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
966
Purraise
660
Location
Phoenix
oh, she has probably had the "patterned baldness" for several months. We first tried the food deal. They eat Fancy Feast wet, which.. is grain free, and we eliminated the chicken ingredient for 6 weeks, then the fish for 6 weeks... didn't try eliminating beef. They at one time were on the science diet special foods for allergys... duck and pea...or whatever, and it didn't help, plus they did not eat well with it. We did eliminate all dry food several months back. That's when I then decided to try the Zyrtec. Worked for Min, but not Mikki. Mikki has the skin hotspots, Min had the patterened baldness. The only side effect was they ate like lil piggys :)
 

goholistic

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
3,306
Purraise
370
Location
Northeast USA
@MagicLove, I encourage you to talk to your vet about the options you read and share with him/her the experiences of others. Have a discussion, the advantages and risks, and whether or not a trial run would be worthwhile. I understand that it can get frustrating, but it is important that you and your vet work as a team. They are oftentimes aware of side effects and contraindications that we are not. If teamwork is not what you're feeling with your current vet, then perhaps it's time to venture out for another opinion.

Also, in reading your posts, I'm not sure I see what things you have tried to help with your boy's itching except Feliway. What else have you tried? It seems silly to me to skip entirely over the trial-and-error process and immediately jump to medications.
 

bonepicker

Animal Lover Extraordinare
Top Cat
Joined
May 17, 2014
Messages
3,350
Purraise
439
Location
ON THE LAKE NORTHEAST OHIO
After reading tons online about cat food allergies, I've started mixing in Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet dry food in with what I have been feeding my cats to wean them over on it. Can't say my allergy girl is a fan, but we'll see how it goes. I've also switched as of today to Tide Free - no perfume or dyes. I hope this makes a difference and she stops licking and scratching. :think:

 
I would switch to all wet with limited ingredients other than proteins. It works wonders.
 
Top