Kitty's back sddenly hurts

[obamanut2012]

I am calling up my vet first thing tomorrow, but of course these things always happen on a Sunday night.

I was wondering if anyone has ever had a cat have something like this: she's a two-year-old healthy, spayed DSH. Suddenly, when I pet her near her tail, she REALLY reacts in pain, and tries to get me. I also saw there's suddenly no hair there, an any area about 2x2. This has happened literally within the last 12-24 hours. She won't let me examine her (I have a nasty bite from trying), but from what I can see, I don't see anything.

She is an indoor cat, and is eating fine, jumping and running around.

Any clue?

[TorchTheWitch]

1. I wish I knew

Don't you just hate it that anytime something significant seems to crop up it's always a Sunday or holiday weekend? Hang in there until you can get in touch with the vet.

In the meantime... does the furless patch look scraped or raw or anything or is it too difficult to get a good look? Is it possible something could have fallen on her or maybe she somehow scraped that area against something? Something like that would be my first thought. She seems to be getting around fine otherwise though so it doesn't seem like a bad back injury or some kind? It only pains her when it's touched there? I would think if she's mobile ok like always that would be a good sign.

I just don't know what else to offer except try to hang onto your wits until you can get in touch with the vet. It's so damn worrisome to just not know what's going on. I always feel better once I finally know something even if that something isn't good. It's the not knowing that drives me nutso.

Hang in there!

[obamanut2012]

3. It's not red or flaky or anything

From what I can see -- just the color of her skin, and clear.

[TorchTheWitch]

4. well, I'm stumped

Maybe she licked or chewed off the fur because that area pains her? I dunno. I'm still thinking maybe it's some kind of minor injury somehow, but I really have no idea. I just can't think of anything else. You'll feel much better I'm sure once you can get in touch with the vet. For what it's worth it's good that she's eating and moving around the same as ever anyway. I just wish I could offer something better than that so you won't worry too much.

[Merlot]

2. Another Cat mystery

My cat gets bald spots near his tail or on his hind legs from over grooming, they say it's allergies but I've tried everything.

Perhaps your cat has been working on this area longer than you've noticed. It does take a while to lick off all the fur.

Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck tomorrow. I know a couple times my cat licked himself red and I was planning on taking him to the vet and the problem would disapear before the appointment.

[TorchTheWitch]

5. that sounds very plausable

I wouldn't have thought of that, but I don't know that much about cats. Maybe that's it.

[irisblue]

6. dog has done this

princess peanut has licked off 'bothersome' areas twice. it can happen in the space of hours. i've got a bottle of spray on cortisone for-grab- and- spray till the vet visit. cats, (hiding as i type this...shh being the furoverlords can dothis too.)

[Curmudgeoness]

7. Did you get to the vet?

Did you get any information?

[obamanut2012]

8. Yes -- I meant to come post earlier but got busy

She has to do some tests, but she thinks it's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_Hyperesthesia_Syndrome aka "Rippling Skin Syndrome." I have NEVER heard of it before.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. I have never heard of this either. A new one on me.

But the longer I have cats in my life, the more ailments that I have never heard of become realities for me. Right now, I am dealing with "stomatitis" which I never heard of---my poor baby will have all his molars removed this Friday because of this disease.

And of course, there is "no known cause". There always is.

I am sorry about this. What does the vet suggest? Looks like anti-anxiety drugs is one treatment. Bummer. I wonder if this would be required forever????

Well, good luck with treating you furbaby.

[obamanut2012]

10. Probably the meds

They aren't much money, but pilling a cat is always horrible, and this kitty is a corker! I am going to ebay to find a cheap suit of armor.

[Curmudgeoness]

11. LOL. I wonder if you can get it in liquid form.

I find that easier to do----although not easy. But after two months of steriods daily, my cat from hell is medicated with one hand.

Some tips, especially if your cat is food motivated: I give the meds, then treats. It is to the point that he is waiting for the meds so he can have the treats. And I give him lots of praise and loving when he gets the meds, even if he could care less (you just never know if they care or not) and even if I was not all that happy with him.

But it always wasn't this way, and I have scars from scratches all over my legs and arms to prove it. Another thing that I read and tried was that cats hate to have their front legs restricted, so I tried giving him more and more freedom with the front legs when I sat on him. He did seem less hostile when they were free.

And I had tried it all---including the worst thing I did. I cut the toe out of a stocking leg and rolled it and put it on him like a collar, then pulled down over his body....and had a worm cat writhing on the floor. It didn't work but it was pretty funny, in a horrible sick way.

[obamanut2012]

12. A WORM CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can see it!!!!

[CountAllVotes]

13. OMG What next!?

I can barely keep up any more. Not sure I want to! Poor kitty.

[Merlot]

14. That sounds like what my cat has

He was very, VERY aggressive in fits. I though we wouldn't be able to keep him, but could not give him away either, since he has fits - who would take him? Anyhow, I took him to a holistic vet who gave me some natural relaxation medications. They worked. It took about two years of me giving the medicine every day, and now he doesn't have the fits anymore, though he still is twitchy and runs around a lot. Poor kitty, he's such a sweet kitty when he's not running around in circles.

And he did chew himself up sometimes. They always healed on their own.

I had taken him to the regular vet who gave him anti-anxiety meds that made him really sleepy. I cut the dose in half and then quarters, but it still made him groggy. I'd rather have him a little hyper and happy than a limp noodle.

BTW, it's been about 5 years and he's almost normal, no fits or chewing, so there is hope!

[obamanut2012]

15. Thanks so much!