Dear Dr. Fox: Our 10-year-old cat, Julius, lost his two feline companions within a few months of each other early this year. Several weeks after the first one died, Julius began pulling out the fur on his back and at the base of his tail. We tried several things to make him stop and ultimately put him on an antidepressant, Amitriptyline. After two months, he had stopped biting out his fur, and it had all grown back, so we stopped giving him the medication. Now he's back at it again.
Do you have any advice for us? We hate to see him pulling out his fur, but we also hate to see him not as happy as he can be. This medication seems to be getting in the way of him making friends with the new cats.
-- G.B., Silver Spring, Md.
Dear G.B.: Certainly, cats will engage in fur-pulling when they are emotionally distressed. But this is not the sole cause of such self-mutilation. The most common cause is associated with thyroid disease.
A hyperactive thyroid gland can make cats become more aggressive, and their skin becomes hot and itchy. So they begin to groom themselves excessively, often to the point of creating bald spots -- on their sides, especially.
The stress of losing a companion could have brought on the condition. Have his thyroid tested. If his thyroid gland is OK, then try low daily doses of Valium or valerian that may help reduce his anxiety/depression. The veterinarian can also try clomipramine or buspirone. Most important is the love and assurance you give this grieving cat.
Dear Dr. Fox: My mother adopted a 7-year-old cocker spaniel that has had skin allergies and constant itching and biting of her feet and legs for over two years. Apart from this, she has developed a new habit of howling whenever my mom leaves her house to do a few errands.
Cortisone shots and vet visits are costly for my mother, who is on limited income. Now, with the new howling problem, she's afraid she won't be able to take her pet with her when she moves into an apartment building next month.
She's tried many vet-recommended remedies for the itching/biting, but none have worked. We're hoping you can suggest something to calm the dog while my mother is away from her home for a few hours, and also something to keep her from biting her paws raw. The dog currently takes 2.25 milligrams Benadryl and 500 milligrams fish oil daily, and gets a cortisone shot every six to eight weeks.
-- L.D., Miami, Fla.
Dear L.D.: What a sad situation. The veterinarian should consider treating the poor dog for a possible food allergy and vitamin A deficiency. Seborrhea and greasy skin are quite common in cocker spaniels. Dietary supplements of zinc, selenium, vitamin E and B complex may also help.
The separation-anxiety-linked howling might be diminished by leaving a radio or television on while your mother is gone. And the veterinarian could prescribe Valium or Xanax.
To order Dr. Michael W. Fox's newsletter, Animal Doctor, on providing the best care for your animal companion, send a check or money order for $2 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Send your questions to Dr. Fox in care of this newspaper. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
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Grieving cat needs a checkup
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