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1716071 tn?1308803156

Cat Licking Belly&BackLeg fur off

I have a 10 year-old, orange, shorthair, indoor (though we could have tracked anything indoors on our shoes), female cat.

Approximately 2 months ago she started licking her back legs a lot. Over a few weeks she licked her inner back legs and lower belly completely bare. About 2 weeks ago I noticed very faint pink dots on the bare skin. They were not raised bumps. They were not there before. One week ago she has licked the pink spots so much they are much more noticable now, though still not raised even as much as acne bumps to make a comparison. This week she has licked a spot or two to rawness. She is also licking small bald areas to her front legs.

She has NO FLEAS. I do not think it is ALLERGIES as her diet/environment has not changed. I've seen her go hours and hours without licking her belly but then I'd come into my bedroom some afternoon and she's licking her belly and legs again. None of my other cats as of yet have begun to lick their fur off.
28 Responses
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Avatar universal
The vet the vet the vet. ASAP
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The vet the vet the vet. ASAP
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Avatar universal
Take the cat to the vet for a skin check and anxiety pills if the skin isn't the answe. That's what I'm going to do ASAP
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17429382 tn?1456623828
My cat is a young indoor cat shes very energetic if I dont play with her she licks the back of her legs and there is a baby with dry skin I don't know how to spell the condition but he needs creams anyway I look after the cat her legs at the bk are lumbie there not bald but both back legs
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Avatar universal
Mixologist, I'm not trying to scare you, but it is imperative that you keep your cat from making the sore get larger.  Our cats was on a back leg joint, and no matter what we tried (everything) Spencer would manage to reach it, and it kept getting bigger and would bleed.  
After trying for months, we took Spencer for a second opinion, and after xrays the new vet said there was no way he could sew up the sore, and it had calcified so much it had gone through his tendon.  He said the only thing left was amputation.  We took him for another opinion, and she agreed with the amputation.  It has been about a month since Spencer lost his leg, and things are slow but improving.  

Have you found out why your cat licks his leg, is it allergies, OCD, or something else?  He will want to lick the sore because it hurts, but you have to eliminate the reason the licking started in the first place.  If you have any questions, ask.  Unfortunately I've been through the same thing and know how frustrating it is
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1 Comments
I'm taking my cat to the vet ASAP. He's my buddy he's always there for me. Now I've gotta be there for him before it's too late...
Avatar universal
in the same boat trying to get the back leg healed so the vet can stitch it together am at my wits end, feel so guilty keeping the hood on him even though it is a soft collar but he is so long he can still lick
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Avatar universal
We put our cat on grain free,chicken free cat food, plus are using unscented litter.  He is also on anxiety pills (hopefully only temporary) and it seems to be working.  He no longer is pulling out his fur, or chewing.  The only problem is he has a huge sore on his back leg from chewing it raw, and for 3 months we have been trying to get it to heal.  Don't let your cat get this bad, we have tried EVERYTHING to get him to try to stop licking the sore, but are having no luck at all.  
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Avatar universal
My cat is suffering too, why vets know nothing that would help?
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Avatar universal
I took Spencer back to the vet today because of the leg bleeding.  He put the collar back on him, and told me to try and pad the edges somehow so it wouldn't cut into his fur and skin, and bandaged his leg.  He also put him on Amitriptyline because he feels it helps with preventing itching more than Prozac.  
He also said if it is food allergies it would take a lot longer to see a difference, just as CML2014 stated.  I hated to do it, but he is so chewed up on every spot he can reach, and his leg is so bad I had no choice.  It would be nice if after awhile everything healed and I could get him off the drug, the vet is calling me Friday to see how he is.
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Avatar universal
Thanks opus.  It could be the rug shampoo,  I use so many  different kinds it would be hard to tell which one.  Laundry soap is scent free.  He's always been like this, but now he is so much worse.
We also have one of our cats on Prozac for peeing, and it works great for him.  I'm glad you mentioned yours is on a liquid form, because Spencer is so hard to pill. If I used the pill pen he would work the pill back out while foaming, so I tried using my fingers,  He struggled so hard he foamed and bit down on my finger (not purposely) and now my finger is infected.  The liquid should be easier, hopefully.
Its very hard to give him his food and not have him get the other cats, but we've been doing really good considering.  

You think 2 weeks time isn't enough to judge with the new food?  If it is allergies, will the Prozac help the itching?  I have to try it, I guess, his let is so bad I have to follow him around the house cleaning blood everywhere and I'm afraid it could become infected and he could loose it.  I go back to the vet Thursday, I know he will leave it up to me he seems to not come up with any good ideas but Convenia and steroids, and that did nothing to help him last time for longer than 2-3 days
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874521 tn?1424116797
Oh poor kitty, and poor you too I know how frustrating this can be to solve....the new diet may take awhile yet. Never did ask you did I abt what your using for cleaning products, try just vinegar and water on floors where kitty walks as this could also be a contact allergy. Your bedding too that he lays on should be washed with as pure as possible detergent an for sure NO fabric softener
As far as the Prozac, it would be worth a try for a little while, to relieve his anxiety...which I don't think is the cause but is a symptom of the terrible itch he is feeling
I absolutely hate drugging a cat too, but must admit I too was forced to try it for one of mine, Nemo has anxiety issues and has been peeing around my house for years, man the instant cleaning believe me over a 4 year period I read and tried everything...nothing worked
15 months ago we began Prozac, he's a 10 lb cat so using the liquid oral suspension 0.75mls. At first was everyday than every second day...now there are times he can even go up to a week in between doses without peeing on something...I have pee pads all over my furniture( gotta really love these guys)
So I can say for him it works as long as he gets it regularly and I've not noticed any side effects, so for your kitty I'd say give it a try...maybe a short while would just be enough to calm him down and give the new diet and other measures a chance to work(?)
Got my fingers crossed that you will find an answer, man he's gotta be feeling pretty darn miserable
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
We've had Spencer on the Natural Balance green peas and Salmon  for about 2 weeks now.  We tried Blue Basics Fish and Potato, but he hated it.  We are using  unscented litter too.  Very limited choice of food that doesn't have some type or form of chicken in it, both are grain free too.
We had to put a collar on him while trying the new food, he constantly licks himself to the point of no fur, and his one back leg is raw at the joint and bleeds heavily.  The collar didn't work well, it made his neck very irritated and his leg would still bleed just from being rubbed on carpet.  The past week I have taken the collar off and heavily bandaged and taped his leg so it is covered.  

He's still chewing himself, shouldn't he have stopped by now if it is allergies?  Our vet said since shots haven't helped, and if the collar and new food doesn't, the next step would be Prozac because it might be a behavior issue. I give him Benedryl, and that seems to help a little, but I can't give him that forever. I have to take him back Thursday, and hate to start on Prozac, but can't think of anything else to try.  It is so frustrating
Helpful - 0
7052683 tn?1392938795
Let me know what you come up with. It will also help others looking for a food without chicken, chicken flavor, chicken by products ,etc. Seems like chicken is the go to for cat food companies.
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Linda,

Chicken is what my cat was allergic to also.  My vet put me on to the Duck or Venison from Natural Balance. Meezy loved the duck and pea, and it worked for her.

My Vet seems to think allergies to food are more specific than  "general poultry"==Chicken and turkey was what  Meezy had been eating and all of a sudden developed an allergy. The point is to find a food your cat has not ever eaten before.

Anyway Duck worked for the Meez, so I would try it if your cat has never eaten duck--or avoid it and just try the venison. I have tried various Lamb recipes but --Lamb was a no go , Yuck!

Good Luck

Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Thanks, my vet doesn't have any suggestions about what to try, I'm on my own.  I will check out the Natural Balance at our pet store. Just when you think you've found one without chicken, about 10 ingredients down on the list it will say chicken liver, chicken fillers, etc.
874521 tn?1424116797
Just my 2cents, but my Vet said same thing....nothing with 'feathers' so no duck, try venison or beef and some brands of fish do not have chicken, I know it's so limited....just about everything has chicken base :( if you go to good pet stores they have more choices...maybe CML can offer more tips, so frustrating but kudos to you for all the efforts
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Sometimes it is stress induced. Has anything happened that would make your baby feel more anxious?? If not try starting it on a Limited Ingredient Diet, like Natural Balance Duck w/green pea or their venison.

It will take a while (3 mo) to know if it is food related. Stress induced is a lot faster.

Keep us posted
CML
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1 Comments
CML014, do you know if duck is okay to give  if a cat is allergic to chicken?  My vet said its still poultry and not to try it if I want to get away from chicken, which I do.  I;ve tried unscented litter, and two shots, one being Convenia by accident.  Neither helped. I;ve got him on Benedryl and am going to switch foods next, but its very hard to find one without chicken,, even the fish ones have chicken.  
Avatar universal
My 11 yr old male cat is acting the exact same way. I have tried all kinds of remedies and so far, nothing is working.  He is almost clingy the last few days :(  
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Guys ,

I am just chiming in to let you know my cat has food allergies. I was told to put her on Natural Balance Duck or Venison soft food as well as their hard food for treats.

You cannot allow your cat to have anything other than these 2 things--no treats, table scrapes, tuna juice etc.
This will take at least a month to 3 months before you know if it is an allergy. You need to give it time. My cat has now developed IBD and Pancreatitis so she is on the Prescription Hills Diet Z/D. Yuck! The wet food  is like pudding, but she eats it and really likes the dry food.
I gave her some antihistamines (Zyrtec) 1/4 tab to cut down on the itching. You should not try any antihistamine until you speak to your vet for advice as to which one might work for your specific cat.
It is not easy watching these little guys scrath themselves raw--so try one of those satellite dish collars--they have soft ones now, just until the meds kick in.
I agree with ZQ in not giving steroids , that is a road you do not want to start if you can help it. Just not good for their bodies.
Good Luck and keep us posted
CML
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Avatar universal
My cat is doing the same now.. She started about month and half ago,  maybe two.  Hair on belly is gone,  now she is working on outer hind leg.  It almost seems she is hellbent to do it, even after I stop her.  She also would only allow you to pet her head and never lay on me or by me. However, about a moNth ago,  She started to occasionally lay by me. Two weeks ago,  She started to lay by my side on couch constantly.  My other two are fine,  and I haven't changed anything from my normal routine around the house. ??
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Avatar universal
I have a kitty doing the same thing.  We have moved from Phoenix to Norhtern Nevada, and he is still doing it.  Tried un scented clay litter and that wasn't it, either.  Tried switching to a grain-free food and it got worse.  I understand grain and chicken a the main things cats develops an allergy to, so my next step is to try NO CHICKEN.  Ugh.  Good luck to all of us!!
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Avatar universal
My Yeollow Tabby is doing the same thing. NO spots though.
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13525158 tn?1432856530
I have a cat that has the same problem. He was trapped as a feral to be integrated into my feral colony. There was something in his eyes that told me he just needed love & I was right! It was obvious he had been in a lot of fights & had led an unhappy life. He's now leading a charmed life, which he so richly deserves!
Anyhow, he has OCD. I only pet him around his face & belly. If I pet his back in the slightest, it will trigger him to lick. I use aromatherapy to keep him calm (you can also use a tincture in her water).  Redirection also helps, using a favorite toy & then rewarding with a treat. The main thing is to get her focus off licking & be diligent in order to modify her behavior. Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
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Avatar universal
I have 7 cats only one licks all her hair off. they all use the same litter and eat the same food. We have used other foods, other litter and have moved. She mostly does it in the warmer months. Her belly is bare and she is licking hair off behind her front legs now. she does this every year. I was told it is allergies. I gave her medication from a vet for allergies once and it did work. I have since purchased childrens allergy pills and cut them in half it helps but not a cure. I am not suggesting you try this. I am trying this as a more inexpensive remedy. Hope it helps to know it is an allergy and not always what you are doing wrong.
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1716071 tn?1308803156
We don't really use cleaners in this house, I've long been a fan on water/vinegar spray for cleaning and I don't have anything fancy the would require polishing. She doesn't play in the bathtub where we use the foamy commercial cleaner. It think it has to be then the air freshener spay my sister uses. She doesn't like the "cat smell" and likes to spray the couches and her bedroom with it, a ferbreeze or something like it. If I stop her from using it how long until I could see results, when would my cat stop licking herself? I'm worried that it'll be a habit for her by now and she'll keep licking even if we get rid of the irritant.
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