my cat has lost all the hair on one side of face

[ladygeegee]

Hi all....i really need help!!! i have a six year old blk short hair cat male...about almost three weeks ago my cat awoke leaning to one side and falling down...we took cat to vet and was told perhaps he had brain disease or a bad ear infection.the vet was unable to tell....the vet also said the cat appeared to have lost some nerves..ie similar to a stroke....the vet gave us antibotic and predisone...and she said hope for the best.HE has since recovered...he is walking straight.his head is straight eating drinking and jumping..but he has now licked all the hair off the bad side and its red and crusting over  and then it bleeds becuz he wont stop rubbing and licking it....He is still taking antibotics but thee steriods finished. Ive been putting antibotic cream and caladrl lotion..My husband doesnt want to spend any more money on th cat.The first bill was almost three hundred and we dont have it...whew!!! whatever advice will be helpful...my cat only eats fancy feast and very little dry food...purina one.....thanks everybody.

[Jade59]

Glad you got the fabric e-collar. I believe there are different sizes if the one you have turns out to be too heavy for Mitchell (sweet name).  I too, have FM so know how you feel. It can be difficult caring for a sick kitty when in so much pain, but we love them and do our very best, don't we.

[opus88]

Oh thats great you were able to find the kind made with fabric, the plastic ones are torture IMO. hope it helps, keep us posted. hope the flare is soon better, I have FM too....:(

[ladygeegee]

Thanks so much for your advice..I did purchase the e collar the one that was fabric.It seems alittle heavy but we will put it on him(mitchell) tonite..Im having a fibro flare so Mitchell will have eo wait a bit....thanks again...Ill keep you posted.

[opus88]

good advice.....but I've read about homemade e-collars that are much more friendly and comfortable.....use the leg length of a nylon stocking(or any long sock) and stuff it with some soft material, like a facecloth or similar size. than loop it around the neck, just tight enough that kitty can't wiggle out of but NOT too tight...make it bulky enough that kitty can't reach over and rub his face but not too bulky so he can still reach his food/water dishes.

I think too, it was due to the pain that kitty has been over grooming his face area. if he isn't able to rub it should heal.

good luck, and please keep us updated♥

[Jade59]

Hello!  I am so sorry for what both kitty and you are going through.  That's great though, your cat is on the mend!  We've had a few cats on the forum with head/brain injuries and they Do get better as you can see.  

First - please don't put any more Calamine lotion on your cat because he will lick it and get sick.  Is the ointment like Neosporin?  Poor kittys face probably felt funny to him, like numb and that's what started the licking.  NOW, he might be licking simply because the scabs feel tight and are healing.  I think it might be time for an E-collar.  Much better ones are offered now than those hard large plastic ones.  I believe they are made of some kind of cloth and are much more humane.  

Let us know how it goes.