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Cat's fur

Sent to Cat Experts August 13, 2006 10:08 a.m.

my cat is experiencing hair that is matted together like it has something sticky in it holding it together, and it can come out in clumps. I just gave him a bath and I probably combed, brushed, cut and buzzed off a great amount of his fur that was affected. Now he looks normal, but what caused it and will it happen again. He tends to be skitzy in behavior and he also shares are home with a dog, and two other cats (male and female). He doesn't always get along with them. Is it a nervous conditon. All the house animals are strictly in the house. I have also caught him urinating on a couch. That has been an ongoing problem for 10 years with peeing outside the litter boxes. Not sure which one, then saw him the other day. Eats very well, drinks lots water, always been a skinny cat with nice fur.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $8

Info Request
August 13, 2006 7:07 p.m. (8 hours and 58 minutes later)

REPLIED to Info Request

Is your boy neutered and is this hair 'matting' located on his back near the tail?

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Please Press ACCEPT if my answer helped solve your problem.
Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.

Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2663 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments

Reply to Lori
Sent August 13, 2006 8:59 p.m. (1 hour and 52 minutes later)

Yes, she is spayed and the affected area is half down her back and near base of tail(on top of back). I could barely pry the hairs from the snipped locks they were so matted. Kind of like a dreadlock or something. She was always skinny with hair/fur long and close to her skin till this episode. They are strictly inhouse cats.

Sorry I said he in the first note. I meant to say a spayed female cat (10yrs.old). Haven't heard a reply as of yet. (8/16/06)

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on August 16 2006 at 10:29am

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
August 16, 2006 5:13 p.m. (2 days and 20 hours later)

ACCEPTED

I apologize for not responding sooner.....for some reason I was not notified that you had replied.

Many times when you see this type of change in a cat's coat at this age it is from a problem called hyperthyroidism. This can cause major changes in coat condition and cause excessive weight loss or gain - depending on the cat. What I would suggest first is taking your girl into the vet and asking them to check thyroid function and also for diabetes since this is done from one blood test. To get this horrible mat off of her, I would use a simple little seam ripper and gradually cut thru it. You can get them at craft or fabric stores. Just be careful not to poke her with the pointy end, but there is much less chance of cutting her with this than with scissors and it is not as painful as using clippers.

I apologize again for not responding!!!! Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

__________________
Please Press ACCEPT if my answer helped solve your problem.
Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.

Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2663 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments

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