Our question this week was:

Hello,

I have an adult female Maine Coon cat. For the past 6 months she has lost her hair on her belly and now it is starting to fall inside her back legs as well. She had a scratching problem, which we solved with an anti-itch spray solution. For the 3 days she keeps going to the litter every 5 minutes when she is awake. Her poop is tiny but numerous. Same for her pee. When the hair problem started my vet gave her a shot of steroids and said she would be fine. It doesn't seem like she is at all. Help.

Judy

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote that your adult cat is loosing hair on her belling and back legs. She was treated with steroids and is now urinating frequently.

First – I'd worry that she has some sort of allergy that is making her itch. Make sure he doesn't have fleas and read this article – Atopy in Cats. You may want to consider a strict food trial. Discuss this with your vet.

The increased frequency of urination can be a side effect from the steroids. However - every 5 minutes is not normal and I'd recommend that you call your vet. I'd worry that she has a secondary infection or possibly has developed diabetes.

The best thing to do is to call you vet and have her checked.

A couple articles that might be helpful to you are Pruritus in Cats, Alopecia (hair loss in Cats) and Atopy in Cats.

Best of luck!

Dr. Jon




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