What a brill subject
Sorry that your cat may have this though Davelee,can't comment because fortunately for us it's never been a problem
But info on such things is great to learn as well as peoples experiences from these things-this would be one of my worst nightmares-does anyone know how it's caught?
Btw Dave-know your getting a 2nd opinion but if you have to clip your cats-then do it ,sometimes you have to do unpleasant things(though not harmful) for your cats benefit and in this case yours-and if gets rid of these nasty things once and for all-there fur will grow back and at least it's spring