reoccuring hair loss on back by tail

by Ashley
(Minnesota)

Ok I have a 15 year old cat, who most of her life has been very healthy. She still seems to be happy and healthy however she keeps loosing hair on her back by her tail. She is not irritated with it and doesn't scratch all the time. I have brought her into the vet about 3 or 4 times in the last year and they keep telling me it's a staff infection. They can never tell me how it starts in the first place. I also have a 3 year old cat who is very active and will kind of attack the older cat in that area. She NEVER does this unless the older cat is loosing hair. It doesn't start with the 3 year old attacking her. The area of hair loss has a little redness and scabs but not much since I never see her pick at it. I know it's not fleas because I've seen them enough to know and the vet checks every time I bring them in. Their diets have been the same for years as well. I have always fed my cats science diet so that can't be it. Can anybody help me??????????????

Answer by Kate
this is a tricky one as we don't know what is causing the problem ie is it a reoccurring infection, an allergic reaction to something like food or something in the home or is it simply caused by the other cat biting her there and causing an infection (cats mouths are full of bacteria it is designed that way to protect themselves in the wild).
I really can't understand why vets don't seem to want to explore further, without a proper diagnosis it is impossible to treat the problem properly.

It sounds to me as if you may have to go through a period of elimination ie change the food to see if that was the problem, look at the environment to see if their is anything that could be causing an allergic reaction, separating the cats for a week of so to see if the area heals without being further bitten etc etc.

Sorry I could not be of more help but I really do think the vet needs to try and help you more with the cause and not just treat the symptoms. perhaps see if you can find another vet for a second opinion.

I do hope for both you and your poor cats sake that this problem can be sorted out soon.

best wishes kate
http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-hair-loss.html

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