Itchy Cat
 

My seven year old cat developed skin allergies about two years ago. Steroid shots worked for about six months at a time. At first I thought he had seasonal allergies. About two weeks ago, I noticed that he was licking excessively, and he was getting bald on his tummy, and at the base of his tail. Upon examining him, I found the scabs again. I took him in for another steroid injection. He had relief for about two weeks, but now he is licking, scratching and scabby again. It is not fleas, I have checked him out, and the vet checked him out two weeks ago. I have talked to my brother who is a vet, but he hasn't been able to examine Fred (he has been too busy through his full time USDA job, and working in a cat hospital which is too far away for me to take Fred). My brother has suggested a hypo allergenic (sp?) diet cat food. I am going to try it. It will be hard to do, because I have two other cats that are on a free feeding schedule, but, this has to change. So, very long story short, have any of you had problems with your cats having allergies? What did you do, and what worked? If you are cat haters, don't tell me a bullet in the head. I lurves my Fred:)

no itchy cat trouble, sorry to hear Fred is allergic.. i guess all these little kittens have their own trouble, a couple of weeks ago i took Turbo to the vet for a full dental reconstruction and mani/pedicure. 180 euros, cheaper than the dentist & salon for humans :p

my gut feeling is that your cat has a blood parasite that is out of control
(this is just me with my edgar caycee hat on)

ack a parasite! Yes, allergies respond well to the specialwecial pricey food from the vet's, according to a friend who is a vet and has a cat with skin allergies. I was hoping to not have to sign in and talk about it at all, but a parasite?? :eek:

hold on - is this treatable? My dogs are chronically itchy, and we've spent a fortune on food and flea control and special shampoos.
At least kitty is fine.

i wonder if pets can become allergic to humans??

we'll have to move out, and give the house to the animals. that's all there is to it.
Or give all our money to this guy.

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wow - how's your cat doing?

I think he is getting better. The fur is growing back on his tummy. Man, the pills are expensive, $60.00 a month, and the 4 pound bag of food is $28 bucks. The good news is he does seem better, and the cats have adjusted to their feedings. It is kind of a pain when you have to feed two cats one food and the other one a different one, and split them up. But, they seem to have figured it out. When I get up in the morning they run to their designated feeding spots.

Hey! Glad to hear that. My 17 year old kitty is getting silly but still fun and smart.

Hello! My cat has had exactly the same thing for the past 3 years, we've spent a fortune on various tests & treatments, nothing which makes it go away for good. The vet's latest theory is that she's allergic to humans (hahahaha doh), and acarians (her condition improves for a while when we do a big spring clean). From time to time we have to put a collar on her, just so all the scabs can heal. It also helps to clean the affected areas regularly & put cortizone cream on. In any case it's in no way transmittable to other animals (we have another cat & a dog, they're both fine).
Good luck & if you find a miracle solution let me know!

update:
Head n'Shoulders or Tegrin shampoo

Fixed 'em right up.

I tried to shower my cat once, I still have the scars to prove it.

I've bathed my cats before. Clipped their toenails first, then leashed them to the spigot...close. And I wore heavy leather gloves. They complained, but I won with no scars.

Welcome back Ally.