The base of the tail

Okay this is a bit hard to explain but I have seen this issue somewhere before. My 16 yr old male cat is indoors all the time. I brush him alot and he loves it! When I brush his back near the base of his tail, he licks or bites his paws. It really irritates him. I have looked through his fur and seen some dry patches but could this be hurting him? I am very gentle if I ever go over that part with the brush, but I thought it would get rid of any dryness if that was the problem.
Could it be arthritis or something else that I'm not thinking of?
Any suggestions? I am taking him to the vet next month to get his blood done and checkup but everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable.

Thanks so much.
Adrianna

Hi Adrianna.. I don't know what is going on here, but it would be a good idea to have him checked by a vet.

Also, you may get better answers in 'Cat Health' rather than 'Care and Grooming'.  I've asked a mod to move it, so they will if they think that's the best way to go.

Edit: Moved....

I hope you get some answers.

Well...that is certainly odd.  But I would think if you were actually hurting him, he would bite at YOU, rather than his own paws . 

Seriously, though, why not just call your Vet's office and ask them if this is something you should bring him in early for, or if it can wait until your scheduled visit.

Let us know what is is once you find out

I think I know what you're talking about. We call them "itchy spots"! The cat or other animal may make a funny face, meow, lick the air, groom themselves furiously, etc. I had a cat that would do excessive grooming, another one licked the air. A horse I had would bend his head/neck until he could scratch his chest with his upper lip. All of them did this silliness when you found their itchy spot.

Yes, mrsgreemjeans, you are correct and he would bite me if it hurt him. It must be an itchy spot on his back. Nothing else is like that on him. His brother didn't have any problems with me brushing him there. He had thicker fur all over than Domi and also loved the brushing.
And peaches, you are correct too as he does lick into the air sometimes too. And he meows at me, but never bites me.
I will definitely ask my vet about it when I bring him in. I asked them over the phone but she needs to look at it to see it. His skin is not broken or there are no sores there.
Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Adrianna & Domi

I've been having an issue with one of my cats recently which led me to do research on neurological disorders in cats. I read that older cats can develop these disorders in which nerve endings become very sensitive (or at least the brain thinks so), especially on the back, base of tail, tail and paws. When you said brushing him at the base of his tail makes him lick his paws, it made me think perhaps you are activating these nerves. If you notice any signs of twitching, rolling of the back, excessive licking, biting at the tail or back, or biting at the floor at something that's not there, please have this checked out by a vet ASAP.
 

Omg really? Okay I will do that. Thank you.

@GoHolistic:  There is a condition called Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome; this article explains it fairly well.

Also, lots of videos on youtube; search "FHS".

FHS isn't fatal or anything; my vet said it causes more distress to the owner of the cat than the cat herself.  (Not sure I believe that....)

My cat, Ritz, was just diagnosed with it.  She is almost four years old, very minor symptoms when she was around two; since escalated (I think because of stress) within the past month.  I just started giving her Prozac.

@Adrianna25:  if your cat only has that one peculiarity, I don't think she has FHS. On the other hand, if after you view the videos and read the articles and think your cat might have FHS, then, yes, take her to the vets.  The diagnosis of FHS is more a diagnosis of exclusion; blood tests will rule out other possible reasons (such as thryoid or a liver condition).

@Ritz: Yes, you're on it. That is exactly what I was thinking of. This may be a topic for a whole new thread. I didn't say the words "Feline Hyperesthesia" because it's apparently quite controversial. I've read that many vets don't know anything about it and the ones who do think it doesn't really exist and that it's just caused from allergies (of any kind). But then there's another group of people who say it is neurological and requires a prescription. I am currently dealing with it in my oldest cat, as well, and starting with the theory that it is allergies. I've studied his food history and ingredients list. I have since changed his food and am doing elimination trials. The licking/rolling back/twitching has already subsided. I can go into more detail if needed, but wasn't sure if this is the best thread to do that.

@Adrianna25: I agree that your 16 year old cat may not have this. Didn't mean to scare you!
 

I have another opinion on what it could very well be. Cats have sebaceous glands on the base of their tail and the glands run down the top of the tail. Cats have these glands under their chins too and some cats get chin acne from the "grease". Looks like black dirt and clogged pores. My Perla, a spayed female, has an over production of oil from these sensitive glands on her tail. The condition is called Stud Tail (there is a medical term for it too and it is not studs that only get it). It caused flaky skin and clogged pores. You are probably brushing an area that your cat can't easily reach himself and is helping you along by biting and licking his paws. His way of trying to tell you to keep going. You can address this problem by washing the tail with an anti-bacterial mild soap, Hibiclens (from the pharmacy), Vetericyn (from the vet - a spray), Mupirocin (from the vet, an ointment). I shaved Perla's tail to get the hair out of the way for cleaning. It is clearing up. Will it stay cleared up, not sure. Some cats like people, just produce more "oil" in their skin.

I am not sure at all this is what it is. Just another possibility that would go along with that behavior. for your kitty.

@GoHolistic no problem. I do appreciate your information and I will check it out at his appointment coming up. I need to rule things out and after just losing his brother I am a bit nervous for Domi.
@Feralovr: I think you may be right. Domi has these white pimple like things ( but they aren't pimples) in that area and some flaky skin. He did have something similar to what ur describing on his chin. He LOVES it when I scratch his chin to. Although it is on his back, not his tail and I don't know if I want to shave him. He does meow at me when I go over that spot with his brush but sometimes seems to like it. I will try a couple of things.

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions.

If you have a vet appt. coming up soon then your vet will be able to help you get a better diagnosis. But, I have a feeling it is the overactive sebaceous glands especially now that you mention the chin too. Very possible that is what is going on and it will ease your mind to know that it is not serious and can easily be treated.

Hope it's overactive sebaceous glands, sounds like it is.

Let us know if/when you take him to the vets and what s/he says.