Merlin's recently got home from a weeks visit at a Cattery whilst we were home in Scotland. He seems fine, eating as normal - greedy as ever. Although we've noticed he's been pulling fur out of his tummy when cleaning. He has a wee bald patch, is this normal or should I be worried?

I've checked his fur for things like fleas, or a tick but there's nothing there.

Thanks.

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The little monsters 3

Both of my cats do that too. I thought it was allergies due to a bad mold problem in the lawns this year, but I am not sure. Why the belly, why both of them...now I keep thinking its a parasite so I will bring them back to the vet and ask her to consider this idea. They have been on a special diet for a year now. It seemed to help at first, but not now. Their primordial pouches are smooth and totally hairless. They don't seem to mind if I rub their bellies at all so it is not sensitive.

I suggest a visit to the vet to have your baby checked out. It could be a number of things. Stress can cause this, as well. If you've been home for a while and he hasn't stopped this ... could be something more to it.

The cats have been home for nearly a week now, the cattery didn't have their normal food they get (they told us at the time of booking they did) so they had to be given different food and are now back on their usual diet.

He's only started pulling fur in the last 2 days (we think - haven't noticed until now)

They've also recently started going outside in the garden in the last month.

Have to keep an eye on him then a trip to the vet if it continues.

Thanks.

We went back to the vet to see a skin specialist and it turns out both Fitch & Merlin have ear mites (originally had them when we got them as kittens and were treated) However it mustn't have cleared up completely. The vet thinks Merlin may be allergic to the mites if they are getting out of his ear and irritating his skin. Hopefully the drops clear up the mites and his overgrooming. He's currently sporting a bald strip down his back. Back in 2 weeks to see if the drops has cleared up the issue.

Both my cats are still removing the fur from their lower bellies. We went back to the vet again this weekend. The fecal exam came back negative. I am starting up flea treatment again, but I don't see any evidence of fleas and they are not itching.

So Merlin's still pulling his fur out, a lot.
We've had a few trips to the vets now originally they thought it was earmites - that's now cleared up and he's still pulling for out. He's had a skin scrape which came back negative. Now we've got to try and rule out possible allergies to either: dust, pollen, flea bite, something in his food.
They've changed his flea treatment to stuff that makes fleas die straight away rather than an hour or so after like his current flea treatment - hopefully it stops whatever is bothering him, or we're going to have a completely baldy bengal.

It may well be an allergy taking into account when it started. Out of interest, what did they change his flea treatment from and to?

I blamed a flea treatment for Hendrix looking for an uncared for mess last year - turns out its a seasonal thing that he really heavily loses the fur around his neck and ears every spring. He looks a right state.

Is there something the vet can recommend that you can spray on or apply to his belly to stop him wanting to pull his fur out? It may have become a habit or something.

At least your vet is doing and testing for everything they can and I'm sure they will get to the bottom of it eventually.

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

I am so sorry to hear Merlin's over-grooming is continuing. It could very well be allergy related. Hopefully, you and your vet will figure this out because I don't think Merlin is talking! LOL. To prevent him from continuing this, I'd put an "elastic sleeve" over his body! Or at least the part that he is pulling out. I don't know how big he is and I'm sure a regular sock wouldn't work ... but they do have them for humans and it might work on Merlin. Poor baby!

I can't remember the name of the flea treatments; he used to have the one that goes on the back of his neck, now he has a tablet that the vet administers as he is the most difficult kitty to get to take a tablet. Back in in two weeks to see the dermatologist once the second round of ear drops are finished and to give him something to stop the irritation.

Poor Merlin. This can't be fun for him either. Hope you find a solution.

Merlin was back to the vets today; he's not kept his food down since Sunday afternoon.

No further forward with the fur situation - vet tried to take bloods but Merl was too stressed so another visit next week so he can be sedated and have his bloods done.

They've suggested changing the food to a sensitive stomach type and see how we get on. (he's on Royal Canin atm)

If nothing comes up for the bloods they've suggested referring to him to a specialist vet for tests up at Bristol. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that.

I hope they find out whats stressing Merl out soon, I wish could bring him to work with me for all week kitty cuddles!!

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The little monsters 3

Maybe he has fur balls from all the over grooming? My cats digest quite a lot of fur keeping their bellies bald. The other night Blondie had a hacking episode but then got over it quickly as I was just about to feed them. They have both thrown up at one time or another. Grace gets sick for a day now when she eats a lizard. I wish I could figure out why they take the fur off their abdomens. Vets don't seem to offer a solution and they seem healthy otherwise so I have sort of given up trying to figure it out hoping it stops on its own.