Cats anxiety getting worse, desperate for advice!

Hi all I got some great advice here about a year ago and I'm hoping I can get some more.

My 5 yr old dsh Blanca (avatar) has always been a little skittish but really nothing over the top. About a year ago when I had initially posted there was a lot of stress in the house which included a big move, a dog being in the house, flea treatments and another cat. All of that sent her over the edge and she started over grooming. I brought her to the vet and she was in good health and vet said its stress and she'll calm down once she's back in a routine. She calmed down a few weeks after and life went on as usual.

About a month ago the excessive grooming is back!! She'll be walking and has to stop to lick or gnaw at herself. There are no bald patches but she has thinned out her belly and back legs. Now she's twitching sometimes. Some days she barely does it and I think phew it's over but then boom she's right back at it. I made yet another vet appointment and again she's in good health but this time the vet said she has blackhead dermatitis but that it shouldn't be causing the grooming issue. She assured me she's flea and mite free, no sores, no redness etc...She said at this point it's behavioral and suggested putting her on Tramadol. I don't like medicating my cat at all but I thought maybe this would give her some relief...nope she just turned into a zombie and I stopped giving it to her. Now the vet is suggesting Buspar the anti anxiety meds. I'm really hesitant to keep trying these heavy duty drugs. I'm really at a loss and don't know what to do. I've spent so much money on vet visits and second opinions, different treats, food. My once happy cat has turned into a neurotic mess and I have no idea why. The other two cats are perfectly fine.

Has anyone dealt with this and if so what gave your kitty relief? I have feliway plug ins and calming treats and nothing works. The vet said she could possibly be like this the rest of her life. It's so upsetting. My job is transferring me across country and I don't know if she can make that move with her anxiety this bad.

i think you should try the Buspar. it's not heavy-duty but it will take a few weeks to work. it does not cause sedation.

considering the symptoms, you might want to talk to your vet about Prozac for your cat. 

Detmut- thank you for your reply, I am leaning towards trying the Buspar. I've been combing through other posts on the over grooming topic and they haven't given me any new ideas as to what's causing it. I suppose if it's behavioral it could be a long list of things setting her off. It's like a switch was flipped in her head. I wish she could tell me what's wrong.

detmut said:

 
i think you should try the Buspar. it's not heavy-duty but it will take a few weeks to work. it does not cause sedation.

considering the symptoms, you might want to talk to your vet about Prozac for your cat. 

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With as many changes going on as you have noted I would go right for the Prozac.  My cat came into our home at the worst possible time. I knew nothing about cats but did not have time to deal with a dog.   My husband was dying & I thought an animal would be good for him.  As you can imagine I was beside myself most of the time because my husband was getting more difficult to handle everyday.  He had a fatal brain disease & could not control his emotions.  After he died I was in deep grief for many years.  My poor cat was stressed & started peeing the minute I brought him home.  I went to a vet who knew nothing about cats & would not give him Prozac.  I sure wish I would have gone to another vet.

A friend of mine who is a cat expert has two that were peeing & nothing she tried worked.  She got Prozac for both of them & said this has cured the problem almost completely.  If I had to do this over both my cat & myself would have been on Prozac.

Good luck!

Riley1- I'm so sorry to hear about your husband that had to be such a painful time for you. I hope you and the kitty are doing well now.

The dog we took in was a rescue and was only here for 3 days before going to a foster home. Unfortunately she came with fleas. Only ever found 2 on her but a flea is a flea. Anyway even though the cats were kept away we still treated with revolution from the vet as a precaution. I swear ever since that happened Blanca has had problems. I know the topical treatments like revolution are considered safe but I wonder if it has permanently affected her. Is that a crazy thought? The other two cats were fine and have never had any issue since. It's almost been a year since this all happened and I'm truly at a loss. Thanks for your Prozac suggestion I'll be sure to mention it tomorrow when I speak to the vet. I'd just like to give Blanca some relief from whatever is bothering her.

Puurfectlynerdy said:

Riley1- I'm so sorry to hear about your husband that had to be such a painful time for you. I hope you and the kitty are doing well now.

The dog we took in was a rescue and was only here for 3 days before going to a foster home. Unfortunately she came with fleas. Only ever found 2 on her but a flea is a flea. Anyway even though the cats were kept away we still treated with revolution from the vet as a precaution. I swear ever since that happened Blanca has had problems. I know the topical treatments like revolution are considered safe but I wonder if it has permanently affected her. Is that a crazy thought? The other two cats were fine and have never had any issue since. It's almost been a year since this all happened and I'm truly at a loss. Thanks for your Prozac suggestion I'll be sure to mention it tomorrow when I speak to the vet. I'd just like to give Blanca some relief from whatever is bothering her.

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Thanks for you kind words.  Sadly, I never put my stress & his behavior together.  Because it started right from the start I thought it was a behavior problem & never put the stress together with the peeing.  My poor little guy was put to sleep Jan. 19 due to intestinal cancer.

I don't know whether Revolution causes this.  I used it for years with no problems but every cat is different.  Let us know what the vet says.