Worrisome Question

melrai

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Hi everyone, it's me again!

I just have a few questions, it's my last shot at seeing if anyone can help me out with this - really.

So, a couple months again I brought hooligan to the vet cause he was balding in some areas. Mainly just where his "eyebrows" are. The vet, who is holistic and great, told me what I suspected - that is was his separation anxiety cause him to overgroom.

Now, ive tried a couple things. The last thing I gave a shot at was Feliway. All have left me with no luck and no help. I just came back from a trip and I'm leaving again tomorrow. He has a pretty baldy spot right near his ear right now. I've been using rescuer remedy for a week or so - no luck yet.

Have you guys ever encountered this problem? If so, anybody have any tips on how I can make him stop over-grooming. I thought he's be okay with my work schedule at this time, I don't think so though.

Also, I've noticed his ears are warm. Is that normal? He is incredibly cheer and fun otherwise. Like his old self.

Thank you for your help
Melissa
 

belle8bete

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Well, the warm ears (especially if they are red) could mean he has an ear infection.  I don't know what to say about the other stuff. 
 

mrsgreenjeens

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All cats have thinner fur between their eyes and their ears.  Plus, usually when they "stress groom", it's in areas they can lick, which certainly isn't there.  Are you SURE this isn't just normal?  (not the warmer ears, but the thinner fur).  Especially if that's Hooligan in your Avatar, because it's usually quite apparent in DSH cats with black faces.

So when you are not there, does someone come in the cat sit?   Can you leave a cat DVD playing, or music (cat's love harp music) playing, have someone come in and play with them (don't you have TWO cats? 

But I still say, thin "eyebrows" are normal.  Even  my longer haired cat has them
(I just pushed his fur around and looked)
 

my-boy-jasper

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I think mrsgreenjeens is onto something! My kitten Jasper has very noticeable thin hair between his eyes and ears. I was concerned, so naturally I went straight to google :) It's called periauricular alopecia and is normal under most circumstances. Apparently, it usually happens after cats have reached 1 year old. Could be an idea to look that up and see if it matches what your cat has. That said, there is other forms of alopecia which cause the hair to fall out in patches and then grow back. This can be made worse by allergies, infections, stress etc.
 
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melrai

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All cats have thinner fur between their eyes and their ears.  Plus, usually when they "stress groom", it's in areas they can lick, which certainly isn't there.  Are you SURE this isn't just normal?  (not the warmer ears, but the thinner fur).  Especially if that's Hooligan in your Avatar, because it's usually quite apparent in DSH cats with black faces.

So when you are not there, does someone come in the cat sit?   Can you leave a cat DVD playing, or music (cat's love harp music) playing, have someone come in and play with them (don't you have TWO cats? 

But I still say, thin "eyebrows" are normal.  Even  my longer haired cat has them
(I just pushed his fur around and looked)
I mean, I thought it was stress grooming. But it seems to be getting worse now?

He is NEVER alone - maybe for maximum 2-4hours. But, there is always someone home with him, if not. 

Yes, I do have two little fur babies.

I can definitely look into some harp music, for when other people in the house are gone. 

They are thinning, with a little bit of scabs. He has also begun around the whisker area too...

I'm just anxious that this might be an issue of symptoms that will lead to a more serious cause - I just don't know what to do :(

I'm going to repost this question, with an update, in the "Health" Section of the forum. I'll see if any members have had the same experience?

Thank you :)
 

ut0pia

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My kitty was going through some stress lately and my vet immediately suggested that he put him on prozac (for cats)..I was not happy to hear that at all! Mostly because the stress is caused by me, moving and then traveling so taking him back to stay at my parents..so i felt like a bad parent for causing stress in the first place..I asked him about Feliway, and he said that it only works 50% of the time and it is not reliable. Since the only symptom he had was being more quiet than usual, I decided not to medicate him at all, and he seems to be getting back to normal.

Since your vet is holistic, maybe he is suggesting less drastic measures..

However one thing you may need to think about- have you ruled out everything else besides separation anxiety? Has he had any tests done to make sure nothing else is going on?
 
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melrai

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Well, he doesn't have any other symptoms. 

He eats fine, his litter box business is fine, he's happy, talkative, playful, shiny coat, EVERYTHING else is normal

I posted up an "Update" in the health section.

I'm gonna be taking a few different measures, giving it two weeks, and if it doesn't change - back to the vet for blood tests.
 
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