uncontrollable licking

Question
One of my cats seems to have a weird habit.  This cat is female, about five years old, with no tail.  Down near the base of her stump she developed a hard, matted patch of hair that was almost white in color (her back is gray).  When we were taking one of our other cats to the vet, my husband asked about this patch of matted hair.  The tech said to bring her in the next time we brought the other cat in and she would shave it.  She called it a "hot spot."  She indicated it was like that because the cat is somewhat overweight and couldn't groom there.  Well, it's not growing back like that now, but if you rub or pat the area where it used to be, she starts licking and nibbling on whatever she is closest to.  She seems to like the texture of elastic waist bands on shorts.  It's just uncontrollable for her!  I'm wondering if you know why this would be, what would cause it, and if there is something called a "hot spot," and if so, what that means.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give us concerning this strange habit!

Answer
Hi Holly!  Would this cat happen to be a Manx kitty?  Manx are the breed with no tail. It is very common for Manx cats to get cysts in these areas, as their spines are actually shorter than other breeds.  I would suggest to have this checked out by your veterinarian.  Hot Spots are caused by excessive licking, so I wouldn't think that this is the reason for this area to be matted and such.  Cysts are often times below the surface when pertaining to Manx cats, and this would make sense as to why this area causes a bit of discomfort for her.
The only other thing that would make sense with her symptoms, would be a possible allergy.  Either way a vet visit would be best.
Some interesting information on Manx cats:
Back in the 1700's on the Island of Man, ships would carry cargo back and forth to the island.  There became a huge mouse problem, so the captians of the ships brought a few cats on board to keep the mouse population at a minimum.  The cats then began to breed...and breed and breed, until they could no longer determine which cats were the parents and which were the offspring.  Because of so much inbreeding the cats began to be born without tails. Since they were from the Island of Man, they were named Manx cats.
Two manx can not be bred or the offspring will be born with spinebifida (spines growing on the outside of the body) therefore, no manx cat is actually pure bred!  There are "Rumpies" which are manx cats with no tail at all, and then there are "Rumpy Risers" which have a tiny stub of a tail (I have a rumpy riser).  Some manx cats are actually born with a full tail or even half a tail.  Manx cats were just established as a showing breed in 1986, and only the rumpies and rumpy risers can be shown.
Because of their short to no tail, they have a shorter spinal column, and shorter intestines.  Because of this spinal cysts and diarrhea are very common in this breed.
I hope you found this information helpful. When I rescued my manx, I thought this history was very interesting, so I just thought I would share it with you!
Good luck and please let me know how that little girl is doing!
Hilary