Hi, I just joined theCatSite.com because i have been reading it for forever and decided to try this out. I'm sure many stories have involved cat allergies, but I am getting close to my wits end (and running out of money fast). I have a black 8-9 year old domestic shorthair (shelter special) named Magic who was the picture of health for 6 years before this May. I moved to South Carolina from Wisconsin last October for my job, and am stuck here for another 1.5 years. Magic started developing ripply skin and itching on his face (ears and eyes in particular) right away, but it settled down quickly in the winter. I at first figured it was the new place (stress) and new allergens (SC is well known for their allergens). I took him to the vet early November 2014, and they gave me oral pred because he had been bitten by a spider (he likes to bring me cockroach and spider presents a lot). That cleared up and then around May 2015, he has been constantly itching to the point of scabby, bloody messes all over his face.
I have tried a boat load of products for his itching. When I first got him, he had GI problems, so he has always been on LID food (figured it was a food allergy). He did great on Natural Balance alpha cat, Natural Balance chicken or duck with peas, or Nature's Variety LID rabbit or turkeys formula (mix of dry and wet). I used to give him salmon (I make it a lot) when I first got him, but he always got GI problems, so I figured he was allergic to fish. Fast forward to May this year, and he is beside himself itching. I have given him Yucca (it worked before when he had minor itchiness from the dry air in Wisconsin where we lived), coconut oil, various omega 3/6 supplements (with and without fish oil), and Jackson Galaxy's essences. I was concerned that the ripply skin was hyperesthesia, but nothing made a difference. I finally caved and went to the vet, and they gave him oral pred again and it worked well for the first month. The symptoms came right back, and he itched another spot on his face. I reluctantly got more pred, but it was not effective. He basically lived in his plastic cone during this time. Finally, in October I got him a depo shot because I had to leave for work, and he was being babysat. The depo of course worked wonders, but I don't want to give him more steroids. I have a lot of allergies myself and don't trust them for me.
I ended up switching vets because we weren't really getting anywhere. They basically suggested depo again, and they didn't know Atopica could be used in cats. I live in a rural SC town, so most vets are equine or huntin' dog specialists. I drove an hour to another vet who is more of a dermatologist, and I liked her. However, she gave me an omega 3/6 supplement that contains fish oil because I "did not do a true food trial". I understand this, but his allergies have ramped up since going on that supplement. Tonight he itched above his eye until it bled. His food has not changed, I freeze his dry food to prevent storage mites, clean everything, flea treat, stainless steel bowls, etc etc. Nothing is getting better. He remains in the cone unfortunately. Tonight, I took it off to feed him, and he itched a bloody mess on his face within 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I had to give him Benadryl tonight to help him sleep.
I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that it will get better. I just moved across the country and graduated from grad school, so I cannot afford allergy tests. The vet visits since May have cost me more than $2,500. I adopted him because he was going to be euthansized at a high kill shelter (hoarder case), but I hate it that he's miserable. Depo is so tempting, for 4 weeks, I had my cat back and he was out of the cone. I basically get to look forward to months and months of food trials and other things that probably won't work. Also, I understand that raw diets are great, but they are not entirely feasible for me. I tried some commercial raw diets, and Magic hated them. If any one has any advice, I'm all ears. I'm frustrated with vets at this point, the nearest holistic vet is 3 hours away and Magic has panic attacks in the car.
Sorry for the sob story, but really, the only thing that has given him any relief are steroids (*sigh*) and Zyrtec/Benadryl. I am interested in Atopica as I really am desperate for remission. No one can take him, and there's no way he can go anywhere because he's horribly aggressive with other animals (especially cats due to hoarding emotional scars).
Thanks,
Liz
I have tried a boat load of products for his itching. When I first got him, he had GI problems, so he has always been on LID food (figured it was a food allergy). He did great on Natural Balance alpha cat, Natural Balance chicken or duck with peas, or Nature's Variety LID rabbit or turkeys formula (mix of dry and wet). I used to give him salmon (I make it a lot) when I first got him, but he always got GI problems, so I figured he was allergic to fish. Fast forward to May this year, and he is beside himself itching. I have given him Yucca (it worked before when he had minor itchiness from the dry air in Wisconsin where we lived), coconut oil, various omega 3/6 supplements (with and without fish oil), and Jackson Galaxy's essences. I was concerned that the ripply skin was hyperesthesia, but nothing made a difference. I finally caved and went to the vet, and they gave him oral pred again and it worked well for the first month. The symptoms came right back, and he itched another spot on his face. I reluctantly got more pred, but it was not effective. He basically lived in his plastic cone during this time. Finally, in October I got him a depo shot because I had to leave for work, and he was being babysat. The depo of course worked wonders, but I don't want to give him more steroids. I have a lot of allergies myself and don't trust them for me.
I ended up switching vets because we weren't really getting anywhere. They basically suggested depo again, and they didn't know Atopica could be used in cats. I live in a rural SC town, so most vets are equine or huntin' dog specialists. I drove an hour to another vet who is more of a dermatologist, and I liked her. However, she gave me an omega 3/6 supplement that contains fish oil because I "did not do a true food trial". I understand this, but his allergies have ramped up since going on that supplement. Tonight he itched above his eye until it bled. His food has not changed, I freeze his dry food to prevent storage mites, clean everything, flea treat, stainless steel bowls, etc etc. Nothing is getting better. He remains in the cone unfortunately. Tonight, I took it off to feed him, and he itched a bloody mess on his face within 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I had to give him Benadryl tonight to help him sleep.
I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that it will get better. I just moved across the country and graduated from grad school, so I cannot afford allergy tests. The vet visits since May have cost me more than $2,500. I adopted him because he was going to be euthansized at a high kill shelter (hoarder case), but I hate it that he's miserable. Depo is so tempting, for 4 weeks, I had my cat back and he was out of the cone. I basically get to look forward to months and months of food trials and other things that probably won't work. Also, I understand that raw diets are great, but they are not entirely feasible for me. I tried some commercial raw diets, and Magic hated them. If any one has any advice, I'm all ears. I'm frustrated with vets at this point, the nearest holistic vet is 3 hours away and Magic has panic attacks in the car.
Sorry for the sob story, but really, the only thing that has given him any relief are steroids (*sigh*) and Zyrtec/Benadryl. I am interested in Atopica as I really am desperate for remission. No one can take him, and there's no way he can go anywhere because he's horribly aggressive with other animals (especially cats due to hoarding emotional scars).
Thanks,
Liz