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I have two cats that are ~2yrs old now. They are sisters and are very close. I adopted the two from animal control because one was bold and the other was very timid and relied on her sister to face the world.
Well, now the runt has a serious issue with an itchy head/ears and is doing a number on herself.
We have had several vet visits now.
On the initial exam there weren't any ear mites but a fair wax build up so we did a few ear cleanings but they drove her crazy and she got in some good scratching before I got an E-collar on her.
On the second visit they rechecked her for ear mites. She also got antibiotics and some shot to ease the itching. I left the E-collar on taking it off for a bit in the evening with only few episodes of scratching before I got it back on her. We also started feeding her a low allergy diet from the vet but we cheated because her sister's food was available as well.
After a while the skin damage healed and I brushed the scabs away. Then she managed to get the E-collar off a couple of times and we are back to square one but at least her ears are clean.
Now, I am contemplating next steps. After taking the consensus of the vetranarians that it is probably a food allergy we are going to go on a strick diet including getting rid of plastic feeding bolds and the (Drinkwell) water fountain which is a shame.
It is stupid, but if this doesn't work out an itchy head may prove to be a fatal disease. I can't have an animal in an E-collar for life and as an indoor cat her environment is what it is and will not change.
I wonder if anyone in the community might have some insight or have weathered a similar experience? Any insights would be appreciated.
An allergist was suggested as the next step but while it is not a non-starter it is not an attractive idea. Chronic health problems are not what I had in mind when I adopted these girls.
Firstly, you should try a second opinion. If it has taken you several vet visits and the situation is not getting better, a second opinion is in order.
Skin conditions can be due to a number of factors. I would suspect a food allergy, but how long have you had her and how long has she been on this food?
Was a skin scraping done at the vet's? If not, then it definitely needs to be done. If it has already been done, then I can't imagine what else it could be other than a food allergy b/c she is an indoor-only cat. However, is she on a monthly dewormer and/or did you have her vetted when you brought her home from the shelter? I only ask b/c shelters often adopt out cats with health problems (not necessarily intentionally) so it is always really important to have a pet taken to an independent vet right after you adopt him/her b/c shelter cats often have parasites.
Here is a great article that gives you a good idea of what is or may be going on and what to expect if it is a food allergy, or if it is something else:
If it is a food allergy, then you really do need to prevent her from eating her sister's food. It could also be the result of stress and/or having a weakened immune system. Runts often have trouble b/c they are the smallest of the litter and do not always get enough mother's milk, which provides a lot of the nutrients for the development of a healthy immune system. With that in mind, you can also try supplementing her diet:
Mange Mites!! Vet should at least rule them out.... Also Ring Worm!
I thought about that as well but if it were something like sarcoptic mange, then the other cat would have it as well, same with mites and ringworm (I pray that it isn't ringworm--yikes!)
Regardless, a skin scraping needs to be done to determine if this is only a food allergy.
NOT Really ALL Animals have these inc us! Depends on their Immune System IF they get out of control! I had a Bro/Sister littermate cats. The male [Sis tho she was the runt Never got Ringworm] Her Bigger Brother did! I had a litter of collies that broke out with mange Months after the went into new homes! Even tho they were 6-8 months old & went into new homes 4-6 weeks Different homes Vet said Runs in certain lines & Stress of trying to adjust to new homes new rules brought it out! 1 of my 2 horses got ringworm every spring... Most time they were boarded with other horses Not 1 other horse got it!
I am not saying thats what it is... But I have the vet rule it out at least. She could also be allergic to fleas..carpet or cleaning products! Even pollen in the air!
First, removing all plastic puts you on the right track. There are stainless steel fountains, so you will not have to give up your fountain.
I disagree that allergy testing should be done, as it is, in my opinion, not really all that forthcoming. Instead, begin with limited ingredient foods. You need to feed a food with no grains, and an alternative protein source. Both cats can be on this diet, it won't hurt the other cat.
What is the protein source of the food you are feeding now? You need to find a food that does not contain that protein source, and does not contain any grains.
You can do a search for limited ingredient cat foods, here is one brand:
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance® Limited Ingredient Diets® Green Pea & Duck Allergy Formula Cat Food (http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/catformulas/DuckCat.html - broken link)
A second opinion, as has been suggested, is always a good idea,I would recommend a dermatology specialist.
PS THANK YOU for adopting both cats when you adopted from the shelter, and also hurray for you for rescuing shelter cats. I know you didn't expect a special needs cat, but it happens that way sometimes. Hang in there!
<edit> regarding the food linked above. I have not used it and receive no benefit in posting the link, just trying to get you started on your search.
Last edited by catsmom21; 05-14-2011 at 08:52 AM..
NOT Really ALL Animals have these inc us! Depends on their Immune System IF they get out of control! I had a Bro/Sister littermate cats. The male [Sis tho she was the runt Never got Ringworm] Her Bigger Brother did! I had a litter of collies that broke out with mange Months after the went into new homes! Even tho they were 6-8 months old & went into new homes 4-6 weeks Different homes Vet said Runs in certain lines & Stress of trying to adjust to new homes new rules brought it out! 1 of my 2 horses got ringworm every spring... Most time they were boarded with other horses Not 1 other horse got it!
I am not saying thats what it is... But I have the vet rule it out at least. She could also be allergic to fleas..carpet or cleaning products! Even pollen in the air!
That's really interesting. The only cats that I have had with sarcoptic mange were strays, and they all had it b/c they were living together, and also b/c one was the mother cat, the two others were her kittens.
So, to the OP, definitely get the skin scraping done before you start switching foods around, although your cat will benefit nevertheless from the changes that the vet (and Catsmom) is recommending re: food.
A skin scrape to test for sarcoptic mange and/or ringworm would not be out of line, if it is a realistic concern. It's allergy testing that I was advising against. As someone has mentioned an allergy could be to too many things to count, or test for. So, in my opinion, you start with the most obvious, which is getting rid of plastic dishes and changing the food.
You could start with household products I suppose. If you use any kind of plug in air fresheners (or sprays) stop. Those are good for nobody, anyway, disgusting things.
Use a hypo-allergenic laundry detergent.
It could be a cigarette smoke allergy. If you smoke in the house, stop. Smoking is very bad for pets. Not only do they breathe the smoke, but the residue lands on their fur, which could cause skin problems, and also, they ingest all that junk every time they lick themselves.
So if you smoke, take it outside. And make sure you are de-smoked before you come back inside. And wash your hands and brush your teeth before going near kitty.
Fleas..for some reason I thought fleas has been ruled out, but yes, a cat with a flea allergy, just one bite can cause serious problems. So if fleas have not been treated for, do that, too.
Ringworm is a Fungus! IF the cat has it get Iodine ... Most pet suply places like Southern States sell it in spray bottle! Wear Gloves & Old Clothes & Spray her where you dont mind things being PURPLE!! My hands were purple for weeks! With cat walls got sprayed .... repainted after was sure he was cured LOL I sprayed them [horse & cat] 3 times a day for week! They test for ringworm with light! At least they use too! This was Decades ago! They do skin scrapes for Demidex & Treatment for that was special baths! ITS been decades so maybe things have changed & its just shots now or pills. Anyway thought give you heads up esp on the ringworm! The cat vet wanted to charge me arm & leg for treatment... But since I had experince with the horse I said no & sprayed him with iodine! BTW having a Purple cat made for interesting conversation LOL
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LOL
