What can I do to help him and get his whiskers growing back? Thank you in advance.Jamie and Murphy
Allergies/Broken Whiskers
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jwright711
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 7:16 pm
Allergies/Broken Whiskers
My cat, about 3 years old, has recently broken off his whiskers. He also has allergies, which I'm pretty sure are related to fleas. I've given him Frontline and Advantage, which aren't helping entirely with the constant itching. I am wondering if the broken whiskers are related to him itching and the allergies. I buy him the best food and his brother is fine. I am pretty sure the broken whiskers are not diet related. I am really worried about him. I have taken him to the vet and they only advise me to give him cortizone shots, which I refuse to do constantly because this isn't healthy. Is there medication that is not steroid related that I can get him for allergies? Why are his whiskers broken off? It's not just a couple, but all of them? What can I do to help him and get his whiskers growing back? Thank you in advance.
Jamie and Murphy
What can I do to help him and get his whiskers growing back? Thank you in advance.Jamie and Murphy
Re: Allergies/Broken Whiskers
The whiskers are probably totally unrelated to the allergies, unless of course this is a food allergy and that kitty by chance has open sores on or around his face, chin, forehead, etc.
What allergies does your kitty have, and was he ever fully tested for anything specific? Did your vet approach a process of elimination, such as food allergy vs environmental allergy, vs mites or fleas? Did he ever determine for certain a flea allergy dermatitis? Did he also rule out a fungal problem?
If by chance there is no evidence of fleas, or that your cats are indoors only and that fleas are not a problem in your area, applying flea topicals is probably useless. Both Advantage and Frontline are effective topicals for fleas, so if fleas are indeed not evident or found, then it's time to look into other causes of allergies/skin problems. *IF* you know fleas are evident, then simply ask your vet for an alternate, such as Revolution.
Cortizone can be a useful medication when all other treatments fail. On the otherhand, if you are uncertain or feel your vet hasn't explored other diagnostics then see a new vet and get a second opinion.
What food are you feeding, and have you ruled out for certain a food allergy?
What allergies does your kitty have, and was he ever fully tested for anything specific? Did your vet approach a process of elimination, such as food allergy vs environmental allergy, vs mites or fleas? Did he ever determine for certain a flea allergy dermatitis? Did he also rule out a fungal problem?
If by chance there is no evidence of fleas, or that your cats are indoors only and that fleas are not a problem in your area, applying flea topicals is probably useless. Both Advantage and Frontline are effective topicals for fleas, so if fleas are indeed not evident or found, then it's time to look into other causes of allergies/skin problems. *IF* you know fleas are evident, then simply ask your vet for an alternate, such as Revolution.
Cortizone can be a useful medication when all other treatments fail. On the otherhand, if you are uncertain or feel your vet hasn't explored other diagnostics then see a new vet and get a second opinion.
What food are you feeding, and have you ruled out for certain a food allergy?
..........Traci
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jwright711
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 7:16 pm
Re: Allergies/Broken Whiskers
Traci,
I am feeding him Iams, which he was on for a long time and was doing fine. Then I switched him to Science Diet for a while, and maybe this is where the problem started again. I was so sure it was flea related, but now I have ruled out that it is not fleas.
What could he be allergic to in the food? Are cats with allergies usually allergic to Iams? Could this be the reason he wants to eat my roommate's cat's food?
If I took him to the vet, again, how am I sure they are going to fix the problem without costing me a fortune? How much to allergy tests for food usually run?
Thanks again. I appreciate your help.
I am feeding him Iams, which he was on for a long time and was doing fine. Then I switched him to Science Diet for a while, and maybe this is where the problem started again. I was so sure it was flea related, but now I have ruled out that it is not fleas.
What could he be allergic to in the food? Are cats with allergies usually allergic to Iams? Could this be the reason he wants to eat my roommate's cat's food?
If I took him to the vet, again, how am I sure they are going to fix the problem without costing me a fortune? How much to allergy tests for food usually run?
Thanks again. I appreciate your help.