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Dr. Michael Salkin
Dr. Michael Salkin, Veterinarian
Category: Vet
Satisfied Customers: 58932
Experience:  University of California at Davis graduate veterinarian with 48 years of experience.
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Normal cat to be sick, just today he’s 9 years old, indoor

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Normal cat to be sick
Customer: just today he’s 9 years old
JA: Does the cat ever go outside? Is he taking any medications?
Customer: indoor cat no medication
JA: What's the cat's name?
Customer: tigger
JA: Is there anything else the Vet should know?
Customer: always pulling fur out tummy nervous cat
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Lost my dad a few months ago as well

Dr. Michael Salkin is typing. Please be patient.

Please clarify "normal cat to be sick" for me.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Vomiting yellow stuff
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Want response
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
In doors cat

Over what period of time has Tigger been vomiting, please?

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Just today
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Only the once

Thank you.  We don't have much of a track record.  Unless she's other unwell, monitoring, only, is reasonable.  Are there any other indications of illness - anorexia, diarrhea, sneezing, coughing, etc?

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
He’s got none off them
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Pull out his fur
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
He only sneezed dust

Thank you. I would continue to monitor such a cat. Hair pulling from the abdominal skin, however, is a different story.

We used to diagnose these cats with psychogenic alopecia - a neurotic over-grooming - but have come to realize that most of these cats truly are allergic cats. Feline psychogenic alopecia is overdiagnosed but does exist. Excessive and out-of-context grooming is thought to be an obsessive-compulsive behavior that's triggered by environmental stresses and anxiety. The condition is uncommon in cats, with purebred cats that have high-strung nervous temperaments being possibly predisposed.

This type of alopecia may occur anywhere on the body where the cat can lick but it most commonly involves the medial forelegs, inner thighs, perineum, and ventral abdomen. Hair loss is often bilaterally symmetrical but remaining hairs don't epilate easily. The top differentials are flea allergy dermatitis, food allergy, dermatophytosis (fungal infection), other ectoparasites (mange) and atopy (allergies to environmental allergens such as pollens, molds, dust, and dust mites, etc.).

The underlying cause of the psychological stress (e.g., separation from owner, moved to a new house, animal companion died, new pet in the household, formerly outdoor cat denied access to outdoors) must be identified and appropriate environmental modifications made, if possible. A good flea control program should be instituted to prevent fleas from aggravating the symptoms. Use of a mechanical barrier (e.g. Elizabethan collar, T-shirt) for 1-2 months to prevent grooming may help break the habit. Behavior-modifying drugs may help stop abnormal grooming behavior. In some cases, treatment may be discontinued after 30-60 days of therapy; in others, lifelong therapy is required for control. Drugs that may be effective include the following: amitriptyline, clomipramine, buspirone, phenobarbital, diazepam, and naloxone.

Please respond with further questions or concerns if you wish.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
This why bn sick

If he's ingesting a lot of the hair that he's pulling out, yes, he may be trying to vomit a hairball.  Seeing if an over the counter hairball remedy is of value is reasonable at this time.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
He gets felisecto plus 3 get that once a month
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
From the vet

That's a good product for parasites but doesn't help remove hairballs.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
What’s best hair ball to get

I don't know which products are available where you live but most hair ball remedies contain flavored petrolatum: Beaphar Cat 2 in 1 Hairball, Dechra Cat Lax Cat Hairball, Tomlyn Laxatone, etc.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Use calm biscuits calm canan
Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Royal canan

I have no experience with that diet. I would be surprised if it were helpful for Tigger who may suffer from psychogenic alopecia or an allergic dermatitis.

Customer: replied 16 days ago.
Thank you for ur help