Hey there,
I have two cats (one 5 and one 4 years old.) The 4 year old one has been licking at her lower abdomen and paws excessively for months now, causing hair loss and sore looking red patches. She was brought to the vet about a month ago and the vet said it was most likely a nervous habit, wasn't painful, and to bring her back in case it continued. Welp it continued and got worse so she was brought back today-the vet said there were seven possibilities, but that it was really between allergies and hyperthyroidism. He looked at some cells and didn't find the allergies he thought of, but did find bacteria in the cells, and gave her a steroid shot to see if it helps.
Although she's being brought back I'm pretty anxious and upset about the whole thing cause she's only four, and I didn't think I'd have to start thinking about serious/possibly fatal complications already. She has lost two pounds since September, and is a fairly large cat. Has anyone been in this situation and what were the results? And is it possible for the life expentancy to be normal if a young cat is treated for hyperthyroidism?
Thanks
Just for reference, this is generally what her abdomen looks like (but this photo is just from google results since my phone camera is broken.)
I have two cats (one 5 and one 4 years old.) The 4 year old one has been licking at her lower abdomen and paws excessively for months now, causing hair loss and sore looking red patches. She was brought to the vet about a month ago and the vet said it was most likely a nervous habit, wasn't painful, and to bring her back in case it continued. Welp it continued and got worse so she was brought back today-the vet said there were seven possibilities, but that it was really between allergies and hyperthyroidism. He looked at some cells and didn't find the allergies he thought of, but did find bacteria in the cells, and gave her a steroid shot to see if it helps.
Although she's being brought back I'm pretty anxious and upset about the whole thing cause she's only four, and I didn't think I'd have to start thinking about serious/possibly fatal complications already. She has lost two pounds since September, and is a fairly large cat. Has anyone been in this situation and what were the results? And is it possible for the life expentancy to be normal if a young cat is treated for hyperthyroidism?
Thanks
Just for reference, this is generally what her abdomen looks like (but this photo is just from google results since my phone camera is broken.)