Need help from those who have had a cat with OCD!?

My cat has developed an obsessive compulsive disorder and over grooms, causing bald spots and bloody scabs. She sucks on her skin and pulls out fur. She has been on anxiety tablets and these have helped a lot - on top it has cleared up perfectly, however underneath on her belly and sides she has started up licking and sucking and has caused havoc.





My question. Have any of you with cats that have experienced a similar problem, has the cat eventually healed and the behavioural problem gone away?





Do you think she needs stronger anxiety tablets until she is all cleared up and her fur grows back?





*I believe her over grooming/OCD began when she had a flea infection, and even though the fleas are gone %26amp; have been treated, the behavior still remains.





* She is half Burmese and I read on the net that Oriental breeds can be a bit nutty!!





Thanks so much. Any advice is welcome. I am seeing a Vet, just wanted some advice from cat owners with a similar experience.

Need help from those who have had a cat with OCD!?
If you haven't already done so, it's a good idea to get the vet to test for things such as diet sensitivity and allergies. Psychogenic or "nervous" dermatitis, is a reaction to stress or recent illness.





The normal adult cat spends over a third of it's waking day grooming. Aside from the obvious benefits like ridding themselves of parasites and keeping the coat clean, cats also find grooming therapeutic in helping to relieve tension.





Some sensitive cats use grooming as a comforting, diversionary activity when faced with some kind of challenge or perceived threat. Other than when she had a problem with fleas, could there be any other source of stress in her life? Changes of any kind in the home?





While her wounds are healing, they will itch and your cat is responding by grooming the areas, and so the vicious cycle continues. You may have to consider fitting her with an "Elizabethan Collar" to stop her doing this. Your vet is already prescribing sedatives, but the original psychological cause of the problem needs to be identified and treated. If she's a particularly sensitive cat, you may need to build up her competence levels so that she doesn't revert back to this behaviour should she become stressed again.





Oriental breeds are known for being highly intelligent, but they are also more disposed to problems like psychogenic dermatitis and pica (consumption of non food items like fabric, cables and wool). They require a lot of mental stimulation to stop them from becoming bored. Is your cat an indoor only pet? If so, it might be a good idea to allow her outside for short periods on a harness. This will divert her attention away from grooming and will build up her confidence. If you are unable to do this, make sure to set aside regular time every day to play and interact with her, as this should help divert her attention from grooming.





The web article below offers further advice on this subject.





http://www.bsava.com/VirtualContent/8534...





Hope you find a solution. Good luck.
Reply:have you ruled out all parasites?





my cat once started doing that, i tried almost everything. there was nothing visible. turns out it could have been a type of mite. i'm still not sure what specific type of mite it was but i used Revolution http://www.revolutionpet.com/default.htm... she stopped and has since healed but and grow all her fur.





try that or any broad spectrum parasite medication. (or Frontline) they're alot more expensive then flea medication but it might solve your problem.








More info on mites:


Mange is a general term for parasitic diseases caused by any of several microscopic mites. Signs of mange include excessive shedding, fur loss in patches and bald spots around the eyes, nose or ears.





Cheyetialla mites produce an extensive dry, scaly dust suggestive of dandruff. Other signs include a rash and itching. An affected cat should be isolated from other pets. A dip, powder or shampoo should be used. The cats environment should also be treated. In many instances humans are also affected.





Good luck %26amp; treat her asap.
Reply:I work at a vet hospital and we have several cat patients with this type of compulsive behavior.





We have had some luck with a veterinary form of fluoxetine (Prozac) in gel form. You rub it in the cat's ear. In one case the cat eventually stopped the overgrooming even after the medicine was discontinued, but the fur on her belly never grew back -- she had been stripping those areas bare for over ten years.





You might ask your vet about it.