Accepted Answer

Hi again, and thanks for your reply with more information about your kitty.

The black things you're seeing might be flea 'dirt', if you haven't properly tested it, and/or might be flea larvae. If she has fleas, you might not necessarily see any, but they could be present. Indoor cats can also get fleas, brought in on humans pants and shoes. Take a white paper towel or tissue and dampen it slightly; place one/some of these black specks on it, and fold over/rub slightly; if you see a reddish brown/rust color appear, this IS flea dirt. If not, what you're seeing are pieces of hardened skin oils. The base of the tail area has many sebaceous (oil) and scent glands. Very often, skin problems are common in this area, and the only way to get a definite diagnosis and treatment of the problem is to have your cat evaluated in person by her vet.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/StudTailInCats.htm

Cat may be prone to a variety of skin problems, which may be due to their diet, environmental issues, or illness.

Because your cat is a 'senior' at 9 years old, she needs to have a routine blood test at the vet, including a thyroid panel, if this hasn't been done within the past 6 months. Many underlying medical conditions can cause problems with the skin/coat, and one of them, common in older cats, is hyperthyroidism.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/hyperthyroidism2.html

Please don't use any human shampoos, especially Head and Shoulders, on your cat. If she had a slight problem before, this may have added to the problem. Don't bathe your cat at all, as this dries out the skin and coat.

Try to have your cat seen by the vet as soon as possible, and for the time being, make sure she's drinking sufficiently, eating a quality food (canned food is better) like Wellness, Newman's Own, Innova, Natural Balance, and offer her some oil from canned tuna, salmon or sardines, once daily, which is good for her skin/coat.

I hope all will be well with your furry girl!

Cher

Expert:	Jessesmom
Pos. Feedback:	99.7 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/29/2009

Feline Specialist Health/Behavior

Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience