Sore unhealing line on the tummy.

My poor cat has a sore unhealing line going all down her tummy, it also goes down onto one paw. We have had her allergy tested and she has minor allergies. We are going to the vet regularly, she is on steroids at the moment. I have also had her in a baby gro to try and help it heal. Some days it looks better but it just looks so sore. I feel like such a bad cat Mummy. Any help would be great. X

Do you have any pictures you could show us?  Perhaps someone will recognize what's going on if they can see a photo.  Also, can you give a bit more background?  How long has this been going on and was there an initial injury of some sort?  Is it associated with overgrooming?  

You are not a bad cat mum by the way so stop thinking like that!  You are taking your girl to the vet on a regular basis and trying to get her help!  

Birdy is 2 we have had her from a kitten. 

We first noticed crusty ears and chin which cleared up with steroids last year, February.

The line appeared after she had taken the steroids, when then went to see a dermatologic specialist who advised allergy testing. Birdy is mildly allergic to wheat and rye pollen, dust and cockroaches.

The line seemed to go around September and all seemed well.

it then reappeared at the same time as last year, she also got very matted in a matter of weeks.

I have had her shaved and gone back to see the vet who has said she isn't sure it is allergy related. Birdy is on steroids again and been given  an antibiotic shot. The line is now worse, it looks more raw and also goes down one arm. I have tried putting her in a baby gro but she keeps getting out of it.

Birdy seems well in herself, eats well seems to go the toilet without trouble.

We are of to the vet again today to chuck more obey at it and get no where, poor furbaby.

Trying to add a photo.

I would really appreciate any advice. X

That sounds very strange.  [article="24985"]Image And Video Tutorial  [/article]
 It really looks like a healing surgical scar - it's strange how straight it is.  I'm wondering if it's following a major blood vessel.  The fact that it's running down the leg seems to indicate it's moving along a pathway which makes me wonder if it is a circulatory or neurological issue.  .  I really hope someone else has seen something like this since I know I'm not being much help. 

Thank you for your reply.

The vets are baffled. Hopfeully someone may have seen something similar.

It looks worse now, very sore and going down her arm too.

X

Please keep us updated on what the vets say.  It seems it's baffling people here as well as the vets but I really hope you get an answer soon.  And that your girl gets better soon.  I know you are so worried about her.  

We went to the vets again yesterday, they think it is allergy related but aren't sure.

It is very slowly healing and she seems very well in herself.

They have given me two options:

Option A, to keep her on her on steroids until it clears up, it did last year!

Option B, to remove all the scar tissue by surgery and be very careful that she can't lick it until it is entirely healed. The vet seems too think this is an 80% chance this will work.

I have come to a decision but would be interested to know what others think.

Many thanks

X

I don't think I would go for the surgical option just because they haven't actually identified the source of the original problem so it could keep coming back anyway.  Also since it seems she is slowly healing as it is, I'd probably stick with the steroids.  On the other hand, long term use of steroids can cause problems themselves so it's a dilemma.  What did you decide?  

What is your girl's name, anyway?  And do you have any photos of her face?  I'm sure she is quite the sweetheart and I'd love to see more than her cute little tummy!  

I'd be inclined to go the steroid route too as I'm adverse to surgery unless it's really necessary. I would be worried about long term use of the steroid though, and really hope you can find out why this is happening.

I have changed my Avatar to show her as a baby.

Her name is Birdy and she is a Ragdoll/Persian cross. I absolutely adore her, my previous cat went missing and she really helped me heal.

I decided against the surgery as they don't clearly know what it is and I am not willing to risk it getting badly infected due to her licking it when she is recovering. 

I know the steroids aren't ideal and I have started looking at some herbal remedies, it's worth a shot!

It has shown quite a bit of improvement.

I really do appreciate your words of advice.

X

Here Birdy is with her Baby Gro on. X