Brought Kaku to see Dr E today and he suspects she may have an allergic reaction to fur mites hence the incessant licking and nipping of her tail and genital area which must have itched like hell.

He took 5 bunches of fur and located a fur mite for me to see.

Treatment: an injection to ease the itch and Frontline plus a flea/tick bath for Kaku. Frontline plus flea/tick bath for all other cats. We'll see if the treatment works.

Dr E said that previously in cases of fur loss, alopecia was suspected but now, allergies to insect bites may be the cause instead.

As for Boy, Dr E advised that if Boy doesn't take the vet visits too well, no point stressing him unless there is weight loss, vomitting, or diarrhoea. He'll still be treated with his current meds even if he is found to have kidney disease.

He reassured me that there was no cause for worry about toxo and roundworm since all FiveCats are indoors-only. He did say to be safe, I should wash my hands after petting any of them.

I appreciated his advice on everything and thanked him profusely. He's truly the best (great bedside manner, kind, patient, methodical, well-read, and thorough) vet I have ever met. I think the FiveCats and us are fortunate to have found him.

Kaku seemed better on the way home. Probably the itching stopped and the injection was making her a little drowsy. But aside from the initial panic of getting into the carrier and then later being in the exam room, she accepted gladly my cheek scratch and sayang when in the car and carrier.

Afterwards it was a matter of catching all the cats to Frontline them. Kaku was first, barely out of the carrier when I daubed her neck. Tux was next, while his Dad carried him. Buffy as well. Boy, I sneaked up on him, talked to him soothingly and daubed his neck. He didn't even realise what happened. Sam was elusive. I managed to grab him gently and his Dad carried him as I daubed him too. :D Mission accomplished!

When we returned from dinner, we spotted Kaku lying atop the dryer. She looked happy and peaceful. Later, she made an appearance at the top of the stairs leading to the bathroom. Their Dad fed them supper and we all turned in for the night (till I got up from insomnia again... but that's another story).