[Goosegirl]

Update from Daphne - she says she believes her bottie fur is growing after the Advantage bought on-line I used on her. Now for the other three cats!!

[maxyboo]

Ah, that's brilliant news. Can't have her wandering around with a bald bottie now the weather is getting colder. I would definitely spray the house a couple of times a year to try and prevent further problems as well.

[Goosegirl]

Thanks Maxiboo - will tell her. Perhaps she would appreciate a pair of knitted "trousers" for the winter festival day??  The vets told me that we do have a flea problem in this area and, as we live amongst farmland and also have a smallholding of our own, it is difficult to prevent her bringing them in as and when, plus the other three are just as guilty! I have found the occasional grooming with a flea comb has helped, not just for fleas, but the flea dirt that she is allergic to, so careful care and attention is the current regime for her as well as the others.

[Goosegirl]

Got some Advantage and it seems to work better - thanks. Also, buying the same product on-line is definitely much cheaper! Just one thing, despite regular flea treatment when Daphne seemed to be improving, she has started chiggling the fur at the base of her tail and made it sore. Any other ideas as to what it could be apart from a flea allergy?

[maxyboo]

Not sure. It's a common place  for cats to bite each other in fights. The puncture marks can heal quickly but obviously there can be bacteria present under the skin. I assume you've checked for obvious signs of wounds, scaly skin or flea dirt? The trouble is she might have had a problem which resolved but her licking the area has made it sore so she keeps licking it. I assume the tail itself looks ok and hasn't been injured?

[Goosegirl]

Daphne is a mediator kind of cat and I have never seen her fight any of the others. Her tail itself is fine and there is no sign of a wound on the bare bit just above it. I can't see any sign of scaly skin or flea dirt but, as she is fit as a flea (no pun intended) and a real wriggler, it's hard to keep her even relatively still to check with a comb - tried that, it was obviously sore, and off she went like a rocket, but still came back for a stroke later on!!

[maxyboo]

I am not sure what is going on with her. There is such a thing as hyperthesia syndrome. I have seen excessive licking to that area described as one of the symptoms.                                                         http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/HyperesthesiaSyndrome.cfm
Perhaps she just likes to give you something to worry about!

[Goosegirl]

Just had a look and don't think it is that - thank God - so I will see how she goes on. As I said, she is a very happy, active and loving cat and healthy apart from this hair loss and chiggling her back fur just before her tail. Thanks for your help. 

[maxyboo]

She is a mystery girl.  I did wonder about mites but think the flea treatment should sort mites too. I looked at advantage and it claims to kill ear mites but not specifically skin mites. I don't know if they are the same thing. Worth looking at though http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_cheyletiellosis

[Goosegirl]

So wish I still worked in the lab as I could have taken skin scrapings (probably less than she would have removed from me) and done a general histologcal stain, plus one specifically for parasites, and had a look under the microscope. Never mind, she is well enough and looking forward to her Crimbo "Dreamies" present!! 

[maxyboo]

They love their dreamies don't they. Mine are partial to Felix Goody Bags too.

[devonbarmygardener]

It's Whiskas Dentabits over here!

[Goosegirl]

Are they both dry crunchy treats? If so, I'll try them both.

[maxyboo]

The felix goody bags are. They come in different flavours. Mine are on the cheesy ones. We have the seaside mix to try next

[Goosegirl]

Daphne says thanks for all your help. Her Christmas wish is as follows....
"I'm dreaming of a warm bottie
Just like the one I used to know.
When the fur was lovely, and oh so snuggly
When I was jumping in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a warm bottie
And all my paws are crossed so tight
That someone will sort out my plight
So I'll have a peaceful Christmas Night!