Cat is Chewing the Hair Off of Her Front Toes

Question
Hi Marie,

I hope you can help me. I have a 2.5 year old, 15 lb indoor female cat who was spayed and declawed in the front when she was a kitten. Lately, I noticed that the hair is missing off of a couple of her front toes.  I took her to the vet and they said that it could be from her declawing and that she could be experiencing "phantom pain" so she is chewing on them. She prescribed pain medication (Meloxicam) for five days which we gave her last week but we didn't see much difference. She also doesn't seem to have much energy. My husband and I both work all day but she lays in her basket all evening from the time we come home until we go to bed and then she comes to bed with us. If we try and play with her, she plays for a few minutes and then leaves.  We also have two other spayed/declawed indoor cats and they don't have any issues; one is her sister. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?  I would feel awful if she was in pain all of the time; she doesn't limp and still jumps up and down off of things.

Answer
Hi Lisa - I don't think she is in any pain.  She could have developed allergies and that is also why she is do lethargic.  YOU can have the vet check her blood for thyroid issues.
I have some suggestions to help her gain energy and stop the bitting and licking.

1.  Please get Silver Shield - This is a natural Antibiotic for your cats and for the Humans in the Family too!
~~~~~~here is the link:  Nature's Sunshine products are Quality and low cost...

Two teaspoons per day - ( 1 in the am and 1 in the pm)

http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?StockNum=4080


2.  BIFIDOPHILUS FLORA FORCE (90)
Give one per day - open and mix into the food...  ( Excellent to get rid of yeast and sludge in the body and colon.

http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=4274

3.  SUPER OMEGA 3 EPA SOFTGEL CAPSULES
Please Give ONE per Day - ( please pop this capsule with a pin and squirt the liquid into her food and mix)
http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?StockNum=1515


Please let me know how your baby does on the Nature's Sunshine Program -
Just about all my clients take the supplements that I refer to.  By-the-way they offer a 30 day money back guarantee.

Please keep in touch with me and let me have an update in a few weeks...

Marie Peppers  LPN MA
Ask a VET / Pet Nurse
Pet Chef
Dog and Cat Food Expert
mtnmom@gci.net