Comments on: Why is my cat chewing her tail constantly? Is amputation her only hope?

By: linda

linda — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:37:17 +0000

My six year old male cat started experiencing twitching tail syndrome (hyperesthesia) about six months ago. He had never had any problems at all. We first attributed it to fleas, although, as an indoor cat, he’d never had fleas before. He was treated and had a flea bath (probably a mistake, in retrospect), but the twitching continued. Realizing that the twitching wasn’t from the fleas, he was diagnosed with hyperesthesia, and prescribed fluoxetine (prozac) and gabapentin. The gabapentin alone didn’t help, but the prozac did reduce the number of seizures he was having. But here’s what REALLY helped. I bought ProQuiet from EntirelyPets.com (I’m not shilling for the site, that’s just where I found them) and started giving him one tablet per day. In just one week he has changed immeasurably. The twitching is almost gone, and when he does twitch, he doesn’t freak out like he used to. These tablets, in my opinion, have made a world of difference. They are homeopathic, so I would definitely give them a try if your kitty is having similar problems.

By: sue

sue — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:56:05 +0000

I realize that no one has updated on this site in awhile but just in case there is someone just starting to go through this I thought I would tell you where we are. The next day after my first posting Spirit had to have 1/2 his tail amputated and was started on amityptaline. That same afternoon he started attacking his wound and I had to meet with the Vet,she then bandage the cat and gave him more pain meds and also xanax. In order to keep him from biting the tail I had to give him the Xanax until the Amityptaline became effective. He couldn’t walk and I had to give him water by dripping it into his mouth. It was a very stressful time. I’m not working right now so I had 24/7 to watch and take care of him. We had one good week when he was off the Xanax and was getting more active again, he had periods of time when I could leave the e-collar off,he also had a dressing on. We went to the vet on Friday to have the stitches removed but she wanted to wait until today. That evening on Friday he tried to attack his tail .I had to give him xanax and put a dressing on. Saturday he got the dressing off and was biting again. At first I thought it was the stitches but on Sunday he had another spaz attack and got to his tail and opened the incision. I gave him xanax and redressed the tail. Now I’m back to looking at another amputation. I read the other sites were they said it didn’t help so now I have to decide what is best for him. I can’t even believe this is happening. That I’m even thinking about putting him done but I don’t want him to live if all he will be is so doped up he can’t enjoy life. This is all I can say for now. I pray I do what is right.

By: sue

sue — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:19:22 +0000

I feel so sick and worried after reading the other posts. I have a 13 yr old domestic who has diabetes. He started the tail biting a month ago but only pulled off the fur. He was full on attacking it I thought another cat got in the house and the was a cat fight! Yesterday he bit his tail and was dripping blood,I took him to the vet who thought it was allergies. His blood sugar was good. The vet dressing lasted only an hour I put one one with coban and duct tape but he took that off today while I was out. I came home to a blood bath. The poor cat now has the whole end down to the bone. I’ll be bringing him in tomorrow to the vet. He had mentioned maybe phenobarb but after reading this site it seems maybe an OCD problem. I also liked the suggestoin of the rescue drops and the e-collar. I fear he may need the tail amputated as others have done. I don’t know how he will do with having diabetes. I appreciate this site for info and to vent. Our poor kitties need help.

By: Now I Know Why My Beautiful Rescue Kitty was Dumped at a Shelter - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:45:17 +0000

[...] The posts from JenniferK. (not the Jennifer in the post right above JenniferK.) that begins on May 15th 2010 at 1:02 am are AMAZING! She needs to be made an honorary member of CD cats forum. They begin about a third of the way down the page. Why is my cat chewing her tail constantly? Is amputation her only hope? : Cat Advice | Paws and Effe… [...]