Q: I have an 11-year-old spayed female cat that is licking the fur off of her stomach. I think the extra fur she is ingesting is giving her more hairballs than she normally has also. Any ideas why she might be doing this or how it could be stopped?

A: Excess licking and grooming to the point of removing hair can be caused by a number of different things; these include allergies, endocrine or hormonal abnormalities and behavioral problems.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your cat for the common medical conditions that could cause this behavior. While you are getting it figured out, children’s onesies fit cats really well and can prevent this excess licking and hair pulling! Good luck!

Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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Q: I am very worried about my cat, Felix. He is a three-year-old indoor cat. We recently moved from the east coast to California. Felix was a little upset with the car ride, but did fine and adjusted to the new place quickly.

About three weeks ago, he was scratching his neck a lot and had several hairballs. After a visit to a vet, he was diagnosed with seasonal allergies and given a cortisone shot, after which he did great.

Two days ago, I came home from work to find several vomit piles, none of which were hairballs, and a very unhappy cat. Yesterday, he did not eat or drink anything and I took him to the vet who ran blood work (nothing abnormal), x-rays (nothing found), and he was given subcutaneous fluid and anti-vomiting meds.

He did fine last night; then today has vomited several more times. Could this be a simple “stomach bug?” What other tests would you recommend?

A: Sorry to hear Felix is under the weather. It is uncommon for cats to get a “stomach bug.” Vomiting and lack of interest in food can be several things…from minor to more serious.

Allergies can cause cats to vomit, and although their scratching may be under control, vomiting can persist. Other frequent causes of vomiting in cats of Felix’s age include the ingestion of foreign objects. Frequently these objects are string or rope material or parts of their favorite toys. It is not always possible to see these foreign objects on plain x-rays, and special dye studies may be required.

A more serious condition that could cause these symptoms is pancreatitis. Again, it is not uncommon that x-rays and routine bloodwork will be completely normal. Ultrasound and specialized bloodwork are often required to make the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

If Felix’s symptoms are persistent, I would recommend a re-check with your veterinarian for additional testing, likely to include a barium (dye) study or an abdominal ultrasound examination.

Good luck with Felix and keep us updated!

Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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The benefits of natural pet food and supplements have been all over the news lately! Just this morning, the CBS Early Show featured a report on the importance of knowing what ingredients make up your pet’s food.

One woman in the Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area in Lake Forest, Illinois told The Early Show’s resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, she had “no idea” what’s in her dog’s food. When told the third ingredient was beef byproducts, the woman admitted she didn’t know what that meant and said, “I wouldn’t want to know, I don’t think.” Legally, Bell explains, byproducts can include part of the lungs, brain, blood, stomach and intestines.

The report encourages pet owners to read the ingredients of any food they choose to buy for their pet. To check out Halo’s Spot’s Stew ingredients, which include chicken, carrots, celery, and yellow squash, please read the ingredients list at HaloPets.com.

Furthermore, The Natural Food Merchandiser recently interviewed Halo’s own resident vet Dr. Donna Spector about the positive impact of natural pet supplements on cats and dogs.

Said Spector, “There are literally hundreds of remedies available, for a range of health issues including allergies, arthritis, digestive problems, skin and hair problems, anxiety, liver problems and even protection from inflammatory diseases and cancer through the use of antioxidants.”

You can check out the Early Show report on the CBS website, as well as Dr. Donna’s interview on The Natural Food Merchandiser.

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According to a recent study by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the Labrador Retriever is the most insured dog in the US. Labs were at the top of the list with 38,591 dogs insured, followed by Golden Retrievers and Yorkshire Terriers.

There have been many changes and improvements in the pet insurance industry over the past few years, making it something pet owners should certainly consider. However, it is important to do your research and know what is and is not covered by different policies.

For more information, please check out Dr. Donna Spector’s article on insuring your pet.

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Slippery elm is a strange name for a very useful tree. This elm tree is native to eastern North America, and its bark has been used for years to help soothe the digestive tract.

It can lubricate and reduce inflammation in the intestine and is a very good natural remedy for minor bouts of diarrhea or stomach upset.

Slippery elm is available at most health food stores in powder form and often helps speed recovery from mild stomach irritation. If your pet’s intestinal symptoms are severe or they persist for more than one day, contact your veterinarian for advice.

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