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Old 10-23-2019, 09:19 AM
 
Location: Columbia SC
14,200 posts, read 14,574,865 times
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My 13 year old, female, spayed, house cat has developed 3 thinning hair spots along her side. I do not believe she can get at these spots to lick them. Any Advice appreciated.
Thanks.
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Old 10-23-2019, 10:56 AM
 
Location: Wisconsin
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When was the last time she's seen the vet? It would be worth getting her looked at. The vet can also do a skin scraping to check for problems (parasites, etc.).

Has anything changed in your household lately? Loss or addition of family members, a move or job change, or anything that would cause her stress?
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Old 10-23-2019, 11:18 AM
 
6,224 posts, read 6,544,904 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rene S View Post
When was the last time she's seen the vet? It would be worth getting her looked at. The vet can also do a skin scraping to check for problems (parasites, etc.).

Has anything changed in your household lately? Loss or addition of family members, a move or job change, or anything that would cause her stress?
Beat me to it.

Correct re STRESS -- as the constant licking/grooming could be nerves aka nervous disorder brought on by something. Good question WHAT that something is.
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Old 10-23-2019, 11:22 AM
 
Location: ☀️ SFL (hell for me-wife loves it)
3,671 posts, read 3,518,915 times
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Before stressing out a 13 year old cat with a crate, a car trip, and then a room full of people who smell like bleach, I'd try some good old vitamin e oil rubbed onto the open patches of fur.

But I would call my regular cat-vet, and consult with them. Not every little thing needs a pack-up of an already stressed out species (i.e.: CAT) to a vet. Cats aren't like dogs...all willy-nilly, "which way did he go George, which way did he go?" (see if any of you can catch that old-time reference )

If OP is concerned about open patches of fur, he is definitely taking the 13 year old cat to see his Doc on a regular basis.

just my humble opinion guys, not trying to step on any toes in this forum. An old cat deserves a bit of respect, and peace. Cats are pretty solitude, and like their home environment best. At least mine do.

I don't run to the vet with ...every. little. thing... I think about it first, and see if my own common sense can help.

Last edited by TerraDown; 10-23-2019 at 11:36 AM..
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Old 10-23-2019, 11:39 AM
 
Location: Ft. Myers
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When we caught Mama Kitty, after her 60 day escape into the outdoors, she had a few bald spots on her head and back. Those grew back quickly, once she was safe inside. Our other cat, Daisy, has thinning hair on her front forearms, and it comes and goes. We have tried to see if she is biting it off, or what, but have never been able to determine the cause. But the rest of her hair is fine.
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Old 10-23-2019, 11:42 AM
 
Location: Northern California
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Fleas can cause a bald spot too, if the cat is constantly removing them from the same spot. Is the flea treatment up to date?
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Old 10-23-2019, 03:04 PM
 
Location: Columbia SC
14,200 posts, read 14,574,865 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by movintime View Post
Beat me to it.

Correct re STRESS -- as the constant licking/grooming could be nerves aka nervous disorder brought on by something. Good question WHAT that something is.
She cannot get at the spots to lick. Also no major changes in my house in over 4 years.

I did cut down on her food as I was told by several that she was to fat, and I agreed. She gets 3oz of wet food (same food as ever) and 1/2 cup of dry food every day.

Last edited by johngolf; 10-23-2019 at 03:26 PM..
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Old 10-23-2019, 06:06 PM
 
11,198 posts, read 19,378,376 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johngolf View Post
She cannot get at the spots to lick. Also no major changes in my house in over 4 years.

I did cut down on her food as I was told by several that she was to fat, and I agreed. She gets 3oz of wet food (same food as ever) and 1/2 cup of dry food every day.
Of course she can reach them. Cats are designed to be able to wash their entire bodies. Or are you saying she has gotten too fat to even wash herself?

A 1/2 cup of dry and 3 oz of wet is a lot of food for any cat. Eliminate the kibble entirely to start. Replace it with a good wet food.

How much does she weigh? A cat must lose weight very slowly. You should get a baby scale for weighing her weekly, or every 2 weeks. Start with (no kibble) 6 ounces of low carb wet a day. If she doesn't lose on this after a couple weeks, reduce the amount by half an ounce a day.

The target loss for a cat is 1/2 ounce to once ounce per week of weight loss. That is slow and safe.

Again after a couple weeks if she isn't losing, drop her intake another half ounce, to 5 ounces a day.

Be sure to encourage exercise by getting her involved in interactive Games with you. As she loses, she wil want to play more.

Given her age, she should be brought in for a check up and have blood work done to check how her organs are functioning. Don't let the vet push any "prescription" garbage on you. Those products are very poor quality and very high in carbs. Your cat needs good quality low carb wet food, lots of protein and fat from meat sources, not corn or other grains.
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