Guar Gum- Allergy?

[amandag1]

Can cats be allergic to guar gum?

My cat Louie's paw pad became really swollen and there was a dark rusty/black colored crust in between his toes. He took antibiotics for a week and it went away but now the same thing is back again on the left side.

Took him to a Vet again and got another round of antibiotics...but they did say it could be a food allergy or something autoimmune.

He has been changing foods alot because he has cardiac problems and sometimes isnt interested in food.

Recently hes taken a liking to Sheba perfect portions and some of the Weruva pouches which has guar gum....
any noted allergies with this??

 

[daftcat75]

It's probably not the guar gum or it's probably not an allergic reaction to it. Allergies are (almost?) always to a protein or a piece of a protein. It may still be an allergic response, but it's not going to be the guar gum. Look at the proteins in the food (chicken, egg, peas, fish, etc.) But if it is autoimmune, then a food trigger is not needed. You can try a prescription diet for food allergies but those can take time to clear up.

I'd ask your vet to come up with some theories and tests. If he's got nothing but antibiotics, consult another vet or a specialist.

This is probably not an exhaustive resource but this may give you (or your vet) a starting point:
https://www.cuteness.com/article/cat-paw-diseases

Or perhaps this:
Pododermatitis in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

 

[LTS3]

cheeser 's cat might be allergic to guar gum, or gums in general.

If you need a gum-free food, use the chart here: Check This Out.... Chart For Cat Food Ingredients

 

[cheeser]

Our immuno-compromised cat had something similar to what you describe around his toenails and paw pads. The vet showed us how to clean them, and kept prescribing antibiotics. Alas, that only helped when he developed a secondary infection, e.g., pus, inflammation, etc.

Long story short, it was a chicken allergy that was causing that weird gunk on Buddy's little footsies. Thus began our adventures in trying to figure out what else triggered which allergy and/or sensitivity symptoms.

Hope you and your vet get your kitty's problems sorted out soon! *hugs and purrs*