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Question

My senior cat is about 10 years old and has been a very healthy cat. Yesterday, my husband and I noticed her fur is "standing erect" on her back all the time and the back of her tail looks as though someone shaved it. There is still hair there--it is not to the skin. (She has not been shaven--just an analogy, of course.) She is eating and drinking and playing and having no litter box issues that I can see. We do have 5 cats. She does recently show some "acne" on her chin that she has never had before. This sure seemed to happen very fast. Lastly, we notice no obsessive licking or biting at all. She is not an overweight cat either. She is a healthy weight. Any help would be appreciated. I am extremely concerned and money is tight. I have to do something. Thank you, Amy in Orlando XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX

Submitted: 277 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 10; Female; Breed: stray. found about 1yr less

Already Tried:
Nothing yet. Just noticed today.

Posted by Jessesmom 277 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Amy,

As you may know, older cats are more prone to develop specific medical conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, liver and kidney issues. These and other conditions, may adversely affect the coat, and this may be what's causing your cat's fur to look like it's standing up, and the hairloss on her tail. In addition, a skin allergy or other dermatologic condition may be causing these symptoms.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/hyperthyroidism.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/renal.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/liver.html

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/allergies.html
http://www.cat-world.com.au/FelineAcne.htm

Since money is tight, try contacting your local ASPCA, Humane Society and Cat Rescue Organizations, to ask for a referral to the vets THEY use, as they're usually lower-cost, and may even see your furry girl free of charge, if you have extenuating circumstances.

I do believe your cat needs to be evaluated in person, in order to get a definite diagnosis, and then treatment for the condition found. A routine senior blood panel, including a thyroid test, will provide more information, and a hair and skin sample (skin scraping--painless) submitted for culture, will also tell more.

I hope all will be well with your kitty.

Cher


277 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

 

Odds are you believe it to be an underlying medical condition most likely?

 

If it is a Thyroid or kidney, etc. Are they likely to be curable? Can you give me a percentage? Based on your experience?

Accepted Answer

Hello again,

If this is not caused by an allergy, external parasite, like fleas/mites, or an actual skin condition, I do believe it could be caused by an underlying medical condition, because in older cats, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and kidney problems (and others too) can cause the condition coat to change. Your description of your cat eating, drinking and acting normally is great, but only a blood test will tell you if the liver, kidney, thyroid and pancreatic functions are within normal limits. Diabetes and thyroid conditions are easily manageable with medication; kidney failure, if caught early, is also manageable. My own 14 year old cat has been diabetic for over 7 years, on insulin, a good diet, and is doing well.

Cher

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Expert: Jessesmom
Pos. Feedback: 99.7 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 2/18/2009

Feline Specialist Health/Behavior

Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience

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