Hair loss, scabs and no fleas?!

[Leanne0702]

I am at a loss for what is happening to one of my cats.  A little history.. Kodiak is a 12 year old all black domestic female cat.  She has always been an indoor cat for as long as we've had her and that's about 11 years now.  We moved over 2 years ago and she has adjusted beautifully.  She has always been heathly.  The thing that is troubling me lately is that right at the base of her back and tail she going bald and small scabs are forming.  She had this problem a couple months ago and I treated it with topical bendryl which worked beautifully and it went away and the hair grew back.  This time it's worse.  The bald spot is bigger and she has one large wound and then bunches of small little scabs.  I can also randomly feel scabs trailing up her spine but no balding around those.  She's always been an obsessive groomer but she's never made herself bald so I know that's not the problem.  She has absolutely no signs of fleas and with a black cat we took extra precautions to look for them.  It was a very long examination and very thorough.  Also, I have a 9 year old male cat whom is very very close with Kodiak and he has no problems whatsoever, so I know if it were fleas he would be having a problem as well.  Both cats are fixed and have been since before we got them (they were rescues).  We have 2 dogs as well but they only go outside to use the bathroom and they get groomed and dipped regularly.  I'm beside myself confused.  Also lately Kodiak has been limping which might be a seperate issue all together but just trying to give as many symptoms as possible.  She doesn't seem to bother with the bald spots or scabs but she does like them rubbed (scratched but we don't do that) but at the same time it's tender cause she'll nip at you after awhile, and she's never nipped or bite anyone in the 11 years we've had her.. .  If anyone can help I would appreciate it.  I was going to take a picture but she's black haired and skinned and so it's hard to see in a picture but if i can get a good shot i will post it.

[opus88]

I meant to add some sites on hair loss....adding some Omega 3 fatty acids maybe beneficial. I do advise against antihistamines and steroids as these only treat the problem and not the cause. also all steroids are dangerous to cats...they will lead to many health conditions one being diabetes.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Hair-loss--scabs-and-no-fleas/show/665747#post_9862317

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2134

[opus88]

no I am not a Vet, I am simply a pet parent who has read and followed many sites along the years. you do not have to follow my advice, I was merely giving you my opinion, I thought that was what you were looking for?

I urge you to read a wonderful site by a very knowledgeable VET...read all her pages they are very informative, but first scroll down page one to the blue area of dental disease and read her opinion of how wrong the claims are for dry food cleaning the teeth....

http://catinfo.org/

and here is one site by drs. foster and smith...who have long been pet advocates. the site talks abt the toxicity of garlic, how it causes a breakdown of red blood cells and leads to Heinz Body Anemia. the only thing I do not agree with is them claiming, the small amount in some foods have not been shown to cause problems...if the cat was eating this same food for a long period of time there would be a build up, I don't believe any amount is safe, is it really worth taking a chance on?

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1&aid=2414

I do not know the author of the site you provided, but I do not agree with their claim. but  that is just MY opinion, you are entitled to your own as well.

[ClarkKittySallyGremillionFluffersBaby]

my profile pic is the most recent picture of my main man........ you might be able to see the hair loss.

[ClarkKittySallyGremillionFluffersBaby]

Also is it not good to just feed your cat soft food it destroys there teeth. I tried the holistic food from Wal-Mart hoping it would stop there hairballs but it didn't so they are back on blue buffalo hair ball formula

[ClarkKittySallyGremillionFluffersBaby]

HI ........ first of all opus88 are you a vet......... the Vet said there is no problem feeding my cat garlic oil plus I have looked it up (Is garlic safe to give to pets? That all depends on how you give it. If you feed garlic to your pet the way they do in laboratory research studies by force administration, in medical terms, 'gavage' - through a tube inserted into a hole made in their stomach, the answer is NO! If you feed it naturally, the way it was meant to be eaten, the answer is YES. With few exceptions, garlic given in small amounts, mixed into food, can be beneficial to the health of most dogs and cats) http://www.petremedycharts.com/Learning%20Center/Introduction%20to%20Herbs/LH%20Garlic/Garlic_for_pets.html   right from this site and many others plus it the same information I got from the VET............ no I do not have carpets in my house nor have I ever used softener on my clothes.  

[opus88]

you feed dry food.....there are also many chemicals and preservatives especially in dry food, cats can become sensitive to these as well...don't know whats all in this 'organic' food from walmart. you really also need to use a wet canned diet with NO grains...grains are also huge for allergies or sensitivities...these would have to be bought from a pet store and not from a walmart or other grocery chain, more expensive but a whole lot cheaper than all those Vet visits:)