Hi everyone, my cat, who is nearly 12, has recently developed some worrying pain and sensitivity towards the lower part of his back...
He very often starts licking the spots that seem to be bothering him quite vigorously, and it seems to happen more frequently when he is lying down and not moving, I think.
I thought it might be arthritis, but he doesn't seem to have any trouble getting about; he is still playing, running, coming to see us, asking for attention, eating fine and grooming regularly. His behaviour hasn't really changed, but it has become impossible to stroke him on his lower back because he keeps turning around (without attacking, so the pain can't be sharp enough to make him aggressive).
And he is starting to lick himself more and more often, all of a sudden, grabbing onto whatever is around him as if it comes on in a flash.
Anyway, we are taking him to the vet, but if any of you recognise this situation, I would be interested to know what it might be about 😕
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Hi everyone, just wanted to give you a quick update. It turns out everything was down to a bit of a combo: a flea infestation (hence all the itching) plus the start of arthritis in the spine, with the back pain coming in flare-ups. Luckily, it's nothing too serious and it can be easily managed, which is a relief! :)
Even though I’d been using Frontline, it didn't have any effect at all. Apparently, that's becoming more and more common as some fleas are becoming resistant to it. The vet applied a newer treatment and that certainly did the trick! ^^
"Does he seem in pain when you try to pick him up?" I wasn't just asking for the sake of it! ☺ Basically, when you lift a cat, they either let you do it or they don't. Once they're up, they're forced to redistribute their weight and use certain muscles differently than they would during their normal movements, and you can tell immediately from their reaction whether they're hurting or not. That’s why I asked... I'm glad to hear that's not the case! On a similar note, does he react badly if you move his tail yourself? If you try it, be very gentle—both for the cat's sake and for your own hands! 😁 However, that last symptom (and I'm no medical expert...) about the skin twitching could be a bit more concerning... or maybe not. It really does sound like fleas, though... do check, as that's definitely the simplest answer and really not a big deal. On the other hand, if it's something neurological—I’m not sure of the right word—or "mechanical" (like a trapped nerve or restricted blood flow causing pins and needles or a sensation of something crawling on him), or even stress or something in the blood (like toxins or a filtering organ failing), then you'd be best seeing a vet. But check the most obvious thing first: fleas! As for the tail, if he has any reaction other than "leave me alone" when you move it—especially near the base—it could point to a bone issue, which is quite common after everyday accidents like a door closing on it or a tilt-and-turn window.
He definitely has fleas, but he unfortunately catches them every year without it usually causing any issues. If it's possible he's developed an allergy over time, it’s probably worth looking into 😶.
Basically, when you pick a cat up, they either let you or they don't; then once they're in the air, the cat has to shift its weight and use certain muscles differently than they do for normal movements. You can tell straight away from their reaction if they're in pain! That's why I asked...
It's good to hear that's not the case! Along the same lines, does he react badly if you move his tail yourself? If you do, be gentle—for the cat's sake as much as your own hands! 😁
However, that last symptom (I’ve got no medical expertise...) about the skin twitching could be more concerning... or maybe not.
It really sounds like fleas though... do check, because that's probably the simplest explanation and really nothing to worry about!
On the other hand, if it's nervous or neurological—I'm not sure of the right term—or mechanical (a pinched nerve, or a constricted vessel giving him pins and needles and a feeling like something's crawling on him), or stress, or even blood-related (toxins, a filtering organ failing...)... then you’d be better off seeing a vet! But check the obvious thing first: fleas! As for the tail, if the cat has a reaction other than just "let me go" when you move it, especially at the base, it could potentially be a common bone problem from a household accident: a door closing on it, a tilt-and-turn window...
Hi, is he stressed at the moment? Several of my cats have behaved like this, which I used to put down to pain, even though only one of them actually had arthritis. Compulsive licking of the back, hypersensitivity, skin twitching along the back ("rolling skin")... These are symptoms of feline hyperesthesia, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what it is... Odessa behaves like this too, but she’s an anxious cat, and we think her hypersensitivity might come from that. Since she’s had a few dodgy landings from her cat tree or during some mad zoomies, we’re going to take her to an osteo soon just in case; it’ll do her some good regardless. :)
I saw that when I was looking things up online; it’s a bit of a scary thing 😅 He’s a slightly anxious cat who gets really unsettled by change and new people, but other than that, he lives the dream—he curls up wherever he wants, sleeps in a bed, and goes out whenever he likes (though he still spends a lot of time indoors).
But it’s true that it just comes on suddenly, as if he’s felt something that’s irritated him, and his back skin usually starts twitching just before.
Several of my cats have shown this behaviour, which I used to associate with pain, even though only one of them actually had arthritis.
Compulsive back licking, hypersensitivity, rippling skin ("rolling skin")...
These are symptoms of feline hyperaesthesia, but it doesn't necessarily mean that's what's going on...
Odessa behaves like this too, but she’s an anxious cat, so we think her hypersensitivity stems from that. Since she’s had a few dodgy landings from her cat tree or during some frantic play sessions, we’re going to take her to see an osteopath in a little while just in case; it’ll do her good either way. :)
Does he seem to be in pain when you try to pick him up? Either way, you're right to see a vet.
When I lift him, I put my hand on his back to support him and he doesn't make a sound at all 😅
He spent the night licking himself again (well, several times for at least an hour at bedtime), and this morning, nothing at all; I stroke the base of his back near his tail and he barely even reacts.
Hi there,
Are you absolutely sure it’s not fleas? They really love that particular spot. It can drive a cat mad with the itching and they end up grooming themselves compulsively. He could also be having a reaction to the bites. Or maybe even a tick?
If there are no parasites, you’ll definitely need to see a vet. The old boy isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore, and it’s very possible he’s got some joint or even bone pain. Apparently, osteopathy works quite well for cats.
