Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 07, 2009, 14:23:24 PM

Title: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 07, 2009, 14:23:24 PM
Lately, I've been noticing that Lexy gets this odd look on her face whenever I touch her haunches and the base of her tail. She's fine if it's firm handling/stroking but just gentle rubbing (which she used to love) she now gets this look of what I can only call one of ecstacy but it obviously irritates her as she tries to bite me if I do. It's cleary sensitive. She's been getting a bit of dandruff of late, especially at the base of her tail around that area so I got some Viacutan and she's been taking that for about a week in her food so far.

I know it can take 4 weeks before you notice a difference, but I am wondering if the irritation she has around the area is as a result of her dry skin. Vet couldn't find anything and said that some cats do change preference for where they want to be stroked and it could just be that she doesn't want to be stroked there. It's the weird expression that gets me  :-:

I do wonder if her ligaments are giving her hassles (as she had surgery on both back legs to tighten them after dislocating knees), so just curious. I'm not freaking out  (yet) that it could be something worse. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Christine (Blip) on June 07, 2009, 14:57:04 PM
I do wonder if her ligaments are giving her hassles (as she had surgery on both back legs to tighten them after dislocating knees), so just curious.

Lexy's ligaments would be my first port of call, I think.  Blip doesn't like me combing out the fur over her arthritic hip although she's OK with me stroking it.
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Mark on June 07, 2009, 16:42:26 PM
I have the same with Alice. They only time she goes for me is if I touch the rear haunches. I even took her to the vet thinking it was arthritis. I have noticed lately that she is getting dreadlocks there so I spend ages separating the hairs and quite a bit comes out and there is also some dandruff. Since I got it all out, she seems to be less sensitive. It is so outod character for her to bat me. Even then, it is a controlled bat with the claws out just far enough to feel pin pricks but no scratching  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 07, 2009, 20:33:53 PM
Alice  :Luv2: :Luv2:

 :thanks: Christine, Mark. Lexy lets me comb out her hind quarters (under the tail  :-[ ) loves it in fact. It just her hips and base of her tail on her back where I get the funny look and not so sneak attack  :evillaugh:

I may give her some metacam once I speak to her vet to see if that's it. She's not stiff though but then again what do I know about what Lexy is feeling  :tired:

Had a fab snooze on me earlier, missed a photo opportunity to show her off  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 08, 2009, 07:58:44 AM
i would be tempted to try a glucosamine supplement first Ruth, with her age - long term MEtacam use can cause kidney issues.
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Christine (Blip) on June 08, 2009, 09:34:31 AM
i would be tempted to try a glucosamine supplement first Ruth, with her age - long term MEtacam use can cause kidney issues.

I've got some Cortaflex you can have to try if you think Lexy would take it (it's in liquid form and Blip prefers the Cosequin sprinkle capsules).
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 08, 2009, 09:36:33 AM
i would be tempted to try a glucosamine supplement first Ruth, with her age - long term MEtacam use can cause kidney issues.

I've got some Cortaflex you can have to try if you think Lexy would take it (it's in liquid form and Blip prefers the Cosequin sprinkle capsules).

Thanks Christine. Do you know if this will interfere with the medicated food she eats (for UTI)? I wouldn't mind trying it, if that's ok.

I left her sleeping in her radiator bed this morning, she didn't feel like getting up, though she was bright eyed and chirpy.
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Christine (Blip) on June 08, 2009, 09:42:44 AM
I've got some Cortaflex you can have to try if you think Lexy would take it (it's in liquid form and Blip prefers the Cosequin sprinkle capsules).

Thanks Christine. Do you know if this will interfere with the medicated food she eats (for UTI)?

I wouldn't have thought so, but ask Caroline to be on the safe side (it is Caroline, isn't it?  Your vet, anyway...)  Then let me know: it's just sitting here in the cupboard and it's still well within date.
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 08, 2009, 09:44:32 AM
 :thanks: I'll give her a shout and let you know.  :hug:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: pappilon on June 08, 2009, 23:55:14 PM
Sorry Ruth no advice from me but sending this  :hug: :hug: for Lexy and you. x
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Bazsmum on June 09, 2009, 03:35:17 AM
Sorry Ruth no advice from me but sending this  :hug: :hug: for Lexy and you. x

Ditto!  :Luv: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 09, 2009, 20:07:59 PM
Aw cheers my dears  :Luv:

I'm just waiting for my vet to contact me, I will have more time tomorrow as have the day off so will spend some time.

Madam is being selective about loving me today, but then I forget it's Tuesday,the day-to-ignore-mum Day. It could be worse, it could be Wednesday, day-to-bite-mum-much-as-I-can Day!  :evillaugh:

I'll update tomorrow as soon as I get confirmation of any interference with her medication.

 :thanks:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Janeyk on June 09, 2009, 21:51:50 PM
I do wonder if her ligaments are giving her hassles (as she had surgery on both back legs to tighten them after dislocating knees), so just curious.

Lexy's ligaments would be my first port of call, I think.  Blip doesn't like me combing out the fur over her arthritic hip although she's OK with me stroking it.

Yep, Byron is the same with her back legs.

Hope you sort this Ruth  :hug:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on June 09, 2009, 22:07:41 PM
Hope the vet can shed some light on this for you and that Wednesday becomes 'cuddle-Mum-day' instead  :hug:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 10, 2009, 09:16:35 AM
 :thanks: Helen, I hope so too!

No issues according to vet, so I think I may try the Cortaflex. We had a bit of a nasty bite last night when I stroked her and must have touched some part she was not happy with. Had back turned to me the rest of the night.  :tired:  Christine, thanks for the offer, I'll definately take you up on it if that's ok. Will PM you.  :Luv:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Mark on June 10, 2009, 09:25:43 AM
. Lexy lets me comb out her hind quarters (under the tail  :-[ ) loves it in fact. It just her hips and base of her tail on her back where I get the funny look and not so sneak attack  :evillaugh:

Alice is exactly the same. I can even brush her tail no problem. It's just the top of her hind quarters. I try to do it without the brush but she does get matted so I have to gently tease the knots out. I will get back into giving her some noractive every day (will change to something better when it runs out)
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 10, 2009, 09:30:33 AM
Bless her.  :Luv:
Title: Re: Lexy and irritation when being stroked
Post by: alisonandarchie on June 10, 2009, 19:19:26 PM
Hope all went well :hug: