Cat licking herself bald

Question

My cat has been itching her neck to scabs and licking herself bald. It started about a year ago. I took her to the vet and the vet tried to tell me it was fleas. She is an indoor cat so she has no fleas. The vet treated her for fleas anyway and it didn't work. She shave her neck to see the scabs before she said it was fleas. since the flea treatment didn't work I put antibacterial ointment on her boo boo's and rubbed her whole body down with Skin so Soft bath oil from Avon and the licking and scratchin ceased, and her hair started growing back. A few months later it started again. I have changed her cat food 2x but no change. I tried oral suppliments for her skin and coat but gave up after fighting her to take it. any suggestions?

FeistyFeral · Answer

A similar current discussion you may find helpful:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Cat-licks-off-hair-and-scratches-all-the-time-/show/1382158

soulonmytattoo · Answer

My cat has this licking problem too. We did some test: ringworm, fleas and allergies. We thought it was food problem but we ruled out. Finally my doctor decided my cat was simply neurotic and possibly she had OCD or depression. My doctor said as long its not causing problems like infections and open wounds it should be fine. She offered to give anti-depressants for the cat if it was OCD, depression or some or mental health  pet problem, but at the price i have not. I will keep it in my back pocket for last resorts. The hardest part is explaining why my cat has bald spots to house guests:)

zodiacqueen · Answer

I agree w/ Opus that putting SSS on your cat's body is a very very bad idea.  Anything you put on their body, can be dangerous or fatal to them.  If you want to put something on your cat, to be safe and run it by your vet first.

As for the fleas, and YES, although your cat is indoors only, she can still have fleas.  We bring them into our homes ourselves and then they get our cats.  The neck is a famous place for the fleas to hit.  The fleas have also attacked my cats neck and she scratched her neck raw, too.  

I would still try to treat for fleas, first w/ another product.  What did you try already?  Who knows, you could've gotten a bad batch of whatever you tried the first time.  Yup, it happens!  Be patient, keep trying some flea products.  I'd say try Revolution, Frontline, or Advantage.  Also, ask the vet about a cream to cut down on inflammation for her neck....like hydrocortisone.  That'll help w/ itchiness!!!

And, if all else fails, you can take her to a dermatologist.  YES, they have them for animals!!

ZQ

opus88 · Answer

hi and welcome to the cat community. unfortunately this is all too common a problem.
you can do tons of reading on this by going to the top of the screen and clicking on 'view community archives' when that screen comes up click on 'allergies'
If no fleas are present and no ringworm than its usually an allergy to something, most commonly food, stop feeding chicken for starters and read the archives, if we can be of more help please post anytime..
Oh also can I please mention NOT to use products like avon sss on kitty, these aren't designed for animal use, they lick at it and some products can prove fatal for them

heres one discussion on a type of allergic reaction.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Linear-Granuloma---reoccurs-contantly--Help/show/1320108

good luck to kitty, please keep us posted
♥Opus

designgyrl0112 · Answer

OR maybe it could be some sort of allergies.  Poor kitty, that's just terrible....

Jade59 · Answer

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I hope we can help or at least give you some ideas.  What comes to my mind is ringworm.  Has kitty been tested for that?  Also, does your cat eat out of a plastic bowl?  This can cause problems for some cats.