Why is my cat chewing and injuring the same spot on her tail?

Poor Frenchy! It certainly could be stress. If you haven't yet, I would try an anti-anxiety medicine like amitryptilline. If you can't give a pill, your vet can call the compounding pharmacy and see about getting it put into a gel that can be put on her ear tip. Cats that are mostly indoors easily get frustrated because that don't get to do the normal things outdoor cats get to do like hunting, etc. Also, if your vet hasn't tried a long acting steroid like depo-Medrol, I would talk to them about that. Steroids are great for allergies and cats usually tolerate it well as long as they are otherwise healthy. I hope this helps!

Poor Maxwell! This sounds like it could be something called feline hyperesthesia syndrome. This problem is not well-understood, but is thought to be linked to abnormal pain perception and hypersensitivity in the lower back and tail area. Here is a link to an article on this syndrome with more information: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3000 I have also seen similar behavior in cats with a slipped or herniated disc in their back, or with certain types of skin conditions. Depending on the underlying problem, medication options that may be helpful include steroids such as prednisone, pain medication such a gabapentin, and/or anti-seizure medication such as phenobarbital in some cases. If the Prozac hasn't helped, I would recommend calling your veterinarian to see what he/she recommends as the next step for Maxwell, or seeking a second opinion from another local vet if you prefer.

Depending on the amount of damage to the skin, the hair may or may not grow back. I do recommend consulting a vet to get the cat started on medications. The type will depend on the suspected cause of the hyperesthesia. A good-quality flea preventative, probiotic, and joint supplement should be used in addition to pain medications and/or medications for anxiety. Laser therapy and acupuncture can also aid in healing of the skin, hair growth, and pain.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies as opposed to being behavioral. This is possibly more specifically due to flea allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

He could have pain in his tail from a skin wound or fracture that is causing him to traumatize his tail. He might also have feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a likely neurologic disease that can result in self trauma. I’d recommend having your vet examine him to see if there is any evidence of other diseases and to discuss starting medication if needed.

The most common sign of a thyroid problem in cats is weight loss. Hair loss around the tail could be secondary to a skin infection, fleas, allergies, etc. The best thing would be to schedule an appointment with your vet for a physical examination to determine the cause and treat. Your cat may need an antibiotic and/or an anti-inflammatory to treat.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Sky has been having issues with her tail. It does appear that she has a wound on her tail, either from the original injury or from something unrelated. It is difficult to tell from the picture whether or not the wound is extensive enough to need stitches, but it may need antibiotics to help prevent infection. I would recommend she be re-evaluated by her veterinarian to assess the severity of the wound, and if further treatment and/or antibiotics may be needed for it to heal. Good luck!