Thanks so much, Spider, for your reply. It sounds like good advice. I
thought, too, that it sounded like this cat had learned this behaviour
and it had become compulsive. So maybe just a lot of close attention
and companion****p is the secret. The only problem is that my neighbour
is a nurse who works the night ****ft. So maybe the nature of her job
would prevent her from giving her cat that much attention. Still, it's
an excellent suggestion!
David
_______________________________________
> Hi David,
>
> Some cats (and dogs) "learn" excess wa****ng behaviour following a
> dermatitis episode, which could be caused by flea-bite allergy or
> reaction to some substance. In other words, the wa****ng becomes
> habitual, but not necessary.
>
> An ex-cat of mine started this following flea-bite allergy. At first,
> his wa****ng was a normal reaction, but it continued after the
> condition had fully healed. I found that when I played with him,
> distracted him, or just sat with him in the evening, the wa****ng
> became less intense and less frequent. I continued to spend time with
> him, reassuring him and persuading him that he didn't need to keep up
> his dermatitis-response-wa****ng. After a week or two, he had
> forgotten the habit and settled back calmly into his old routine.
>
> I wouldn't even think of undermining essential treatment if the
> problem is (still) real, but if the cir***stances of this cat's
> ailment suggest an habitual wa****ng ritual, then it may be worth
> suggesting to the owner a friendly desensitisation programme. The cat
> will certainly enjoy it, and it will be reassuring to both owner and
> cat.
>
>
> Spider
>
>
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