Post by Qui Gon Jinn on May 6, 2012 18:53:03 GMT
We have two cats, a male and female. Both happy and healthy and they've been with us for 4 years. We rehomed them from one of my Hubby's work mates and they came originally from Lanarkshire Cat Protection. The male, Oscar is 5 years old and the female, Lucy is 61/2 years old.
Lucy has a problem. She doesn't seem to be able to shed her coat properly and it ends up in matted tufts despite the fact that she is short haired. It's a real problem constantly and as she is fairly wild and feral I can't get near her to brush her regularily to help this situation. She lives in the house along with Oscar, but has never been friendly and it's always a problem attempting to worm her or treat her for ticks!!!
The upshot of this is that every 18 months it's a trip to the vet (which is in itself a task, trying to catch her!) and then they sedate her and clip off all the old hair. It ends up with her looking horrendous until it grows back in.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this and how to sort it?! I read on the internet that it could be a sign of a thyroid problem, but I'm not sure about that. Vet hasn't commented on why it happens nor does he seem bothered, he just said that some cats are like that
It seems to be getting worse the older she gets and it must be annoying for her as I see her at the moment sitting trying to pull out all the matted tufts herself, without a lot of success.
Lucy has a problem. She doesn't seem to be able to shed her coat properly and it ends up in matted tufts despite the fact that she is short haired. It's a real problem constantly and as she is fairly wild and feral I can't get near her to brush her regularily to help this situation. She lives in the house along with Oscar, but has never been friendly and it's always a problem attempting to worm her or treat her for ticks!!!
The upshot of this is that every 18 months it's a trip to the vet (which is in itself a task, trying to catch her!) and then they sedate her and clip off all the old hair. It ends up with her looking horrendous until it grows back in.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this and how to sort it?! I read on the internet that it could be a sign of a thyroid problem, but I'm not sure about that. Vet hasn't commented on why it happens nor does he seem bothered, he just said that some cats are like that
It seems to be getting worse the older she gets and it must be annoying for her as I see her at the moment sitting trying to pull out all the matted tufts herself, without a lot of success.