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mogrann · Mar 23, 2013, 01:39 PM

Someone has me questioning my vet. I need to know what the cat experts think , please
My cat Sookie who is 13 years old and is tiny for her size was seen by the vet a few months ago. She was the same she is in this pic and the vet said she was going bald due to her age. Someone today commented about leukemia.
The vet said to Henry(I was not there) that her body shape was perfect. She was not showing her age at all except for the fur issue.
Background on Sookie:
Henry got her from someone advertising kittens. We found out later from the vet she was too young to be taken from her mom and that is why she is so tiny. She is 13 years old. All patterns have been fairly normal for her. Today she did scare me a bit as she was coughing and shaking. It lasted less than a minute and it was a furball. That is rare for her as she is short hair and rarely gets them.

Okay do I take her to a different vet or do I trust the vet who seen her and said she was just balding due to age? If more info is needed please ask.

Romos · Mar 23, 2013, 01:41 PM

Okay, trust the vet. They have been to college.

Gernald · Mar 23, 2013, 04:43 PM

That's strange.
It could just be because of age like your vet said, but balding is a sign of a few other things which can be serious if not checked out.
The thing that comes to mind for me is Cushing's. Other thyroid issues and mange could also cause balding (though with your cat the hair loss pattern doesn't quite seem to resemble mange... and the vet would have picked up on this right away). These diseases with the exception of mange are quite rate and your vet might not have known to look or test for them.
Also have her anal glands been "milked"? It looks like she could have been licking around that area a lot to make it bald.

If you don't feel comfortable with your vet you should get a second opinion. I personally don't know too many cats who just start to loose hair because they're old, but maybe that's just the cat's I know.

joypulv · Mar 23, 2013, 04:50 PM

I have a 13 lb short hair Jack Russel who lost hair around her rump and tail from fleas, because that was where she could reach to chew and lick. It really looks suspiciously like your cat did that. I didn't notice my dog doing it.
That's all I can contribute! I don't know about older cats.

Sariss · Mar 23, 2013, 05:29 PM

Cat's don't bald due to age.
Was bloodwork run?

Alty · Mar 23, 2013, 05:33 PM

Sorry Mogrann, but I agree, cats don't bald due to old age, and frankly, 13 isn't that old for a cat. Sure she's getting up there, but I wouldn't call her ancient yet. :)

I would get a second opinion. Your friend is right, this is not due to old age IMO.

Alty · Mar 23, 2013, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Romos

Okay, trust the vet. They have been to college.

Romos, just because a vet went to college, doesn't mean they know everything. Diagnosing is often difficult, and vets usually specialize, which means that Mogranns vet may not know much about cats, cats may not be his specialty. Last but not least, vets are humans, and human error is not uncommon.

When in doubt a second opinion is always best. You don't have to trust someone just because they went to college.

Sariss · Mar 23, 2013, 05:36 PM

I would also look into things like pain. It's a proven fact that the majority of cats over the age of 10 suffer from arthritis. Some cats react to it by pulling fur over sore areas (hips, etc).

teacherjenn4 · Mar 23, 2013, 06:28 PM

Thyroid issues cause hair loss, but not in a pattern like this. I'd try another vet for sure.

mogrann · Mar 23, 2013, 11:44 PM

I knew I would get some ideas. She will be going to the vet. So far I need to ask for blood work to check for thyroid, cushings disease I need to mention and arthritis.
I doubt it is fleas as Owen, and the other two cats seem fine. Last time one cat was pulling fur from the fleas and Owen broke out in sores from him licking too much. When we make the appointment we will ask about fleas. If they want we can bring in the long hair cat so they can check for them. Apparently it is easier to find them on long haired versus short haired. If we bring in the long haired cat I am hoping we don't get dinged for two animal visit. You know me though my pets will get the vet care they need no matter what.

joypulv · Mar 24, 2013, 05:15 AM

Regarding fleas: my dog lost her rump fur in the spring (I'm in the north) and I swore she didn't have fleas. She is mostly white and her fur is short, and I can see a flea at 3', plus around her bare lower abdomen. But they were baby fleas and I really just didn't see them until she was half bare!

grammadidi · Mar 24, 2013, 07:08 AM

I think that you should always go with your gut. If you don't feel comfortable with your vet's opinion, definitely go for a second opinion elsewhere. I personally would ask for a full blood work-up and a urine test. It's possible there are other issues going on here, and I would definitely be suspicious about kidney related issues. That's not to say your vet was wrong, but at least you will have complete peace of mind and you will know you have done everything possible to investigate if something else turns up later on.

Please keep us posted!

Hugs, Didi