cat scratching, sores and cuts

[tbvb05]

How and where can I post their picture? [/img]

[Tina B and crew]

Best place to share photos is in Debbie's Cloud

http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=7

[slvrwhispr]

Oh, I'm so glad you found the rescue org! When there's a will, there's a way! If I had to guess, I'd say food allergy from what you've described. Don't panic yet. I'm sure everything will work out just fine.

[tbvb05]

Vet asked me a ton of questions like that. Indoor or outdoor...Indoor always, new food...no, new blanket...no, any visible bugs...no, rug cleaner, air cleaner, no and no.
I wish we could go tomorrow but they are closed. He does not seem to be in pain, I don't know how that is even possible with what he is doing to himself.
I also have to find out if this is something that is going to end up spreading to my younger cat.
Kitty is at least 8 and Scout is around 3. Walter went to live with my son when he moved into his own place.
Will be sure to let you all know.
Thanks again.

[Traci]

A few of my to-the-point comments are my usual and standard disclaimer throughout the forums. No matter how we say it, the result is the same, we cannot examine or diagnose here, the ultimate advice beyond simple care is veterinary attention immediately. I hope you understand that 1) there are literally hundreds of posters on the site who just assumed we could perform miracles and diagnose on an internet forum without them ever having to pick up the phone to call their own vet or better yet, get their cat to a vet, and 2) we do not know the owners when they post for the first time (often they are brief and vague and don't give enough information or history of the health problem). I often post as thoroughly as I can in most of my initial posts because I would rather the owner get their cats to a vet. Likewise, if need be, I also feel out the owner and ask lots of questions to get more information so I/we can guide them properly.

You will not get bad advice here, you will not get questionable advice here, you'll get caring, individualized, thorough and legitimate advice. Even had you went to another forum on the net, I shudder to think of what kind of advice you may have received (believe me, it's scary, inappropriate, dangerous, and outright bad advice).

Your kitty has a problem that could be one of many things. I stated what I thought would be the most common culprits, but only a vet can determine with an exam and diagnostics. It may be a simple problem easily rectified, or it could be more involved requiring a specific treatment.

If your cats are kept strictly indoors, it is highly unlikely to be mange. Cats acquire feline scabies mainly from contact with strays or boarding/grooming facilities who had an infected cat, or because they don't take necessary precautions to thoroughly sanitize the area between pets.

If your vet suspects fleas/mites, etc, he'll want to do a simple skin scrape (it's a painless procedure), and look at a sample under a slide. Or, he may want to culture the sample, based on his findings or suspicions.

If a food allergy, it's relatively simple to try the cat on a low-allergen or hypoallergenic diet.

If hyperthyroidism, the vet will want to take a blood sample to test. If the levels are high, or suggestive of hyperthyroidism, he'll want to put your kitty on oral medication, this may be required for life. (subsequent blood rechecks will be necessary every 3-6 months to determine therapeutic levels of the medication). Surgery to remove the thyroid glands is an option, as is radio-iodine treatment, the latter is pretty expensive.

Some serious skin mite infections sometimes require lime-sulfur dips, sometimes the application of a veterinary prescribed flea product is all that is necessary (like Revolution - although this is an off-label use). It's important to identify the mite in particular to determine the best treatment.

Sometimes skin problems are fungal in nature, or immune-mediated. In either case, the vet would discuss with you about testing, which mainly require samples be sent to an outside lab.

Stress, and a condition known as hyperesthesia, most often only require subtle environmental changes to reduce the stress for the cat. Hyperesthesia can be related to any medical condition, parasites, or pain from some condition (i.e., orthopedic, etc).

Whatever the case, I'm glad to hear you have an appointment, please post an update when you know more. In the meantime, please don't use any OTC products. Clean any open sores with just clean warm water and a cotton ball, being careful to use a new cotton ball for each sore. If the sores are only mild and haven't broken the skin, you can use a tiny amount of Polysporin (not neosporin), on them, once a day. Be sure to tell the vet if you do so. Another thing you can do in the meantime, is call the vet, ask him if it would be appropriate for him to prescribe a very small dose of children's benadryl, this may help calm any histamine response when he is itching so bad. Do NOT do this on your own, please get the vet's approval and correct dosage, you can pick up children's benadryl liquid at any grocery store or pharmacy. You have to be cautious with this because ANY antihistamine can cause one of two (or both) effects, which are hyperactivity or sedation. The vet will ask you kitty's weight, and will tell you which type and mg amount to get at the store, and how much to give exactly. Do NOT give more than what the vet says to.

P.S. How to post photos:
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=1540

[tbvb05]

My old vet forgot to mention to me that indoor only cats CAN indeed get fleas! My new vet told me today that is what is wrong with Kitty. He got an antibiotic shot, a stop itch shot, that liquid flea stuff that goes on the back of the neck for both cats, and a can of spray to do the house with. Spent my rent. I was reading the can directions and it says vacuum first then apply and let dry. Also says not to do with animals or people in the room. I don't know how I am going to do this with the 2 cats home. I can't close them up in a room because all the rooms need to be done at the same time! Vet said she uses it at her house and they have animals too. Going to call her and see how she gets around this.
So when I got out of there I made sure to spread the word to friends who were also surprised.
Jeesh!

[Tina B and crew]

I am so glad to hear that it was something simple! Yes, fleas can get indoors even if cats do not go outside. Not sure what to tell you about the spray. Thankfully the flea control you got from the vet works very well and is safe. Hopefully you will be able to nip this in the bud and have happy kitties!

[tbvb05]

Thanks. They were saying this is the worst season for fleas they can remember. That was a nice vet business, little country town like mine, one vet and her husband runs the office. Once Kitty is better he will be going for his update shots as will Scout. I was horrified to find out my house has fleas and had I known that was possible I could have very easily prevented this. I would like to call and scream at the old bet.
We are in the middle of a storm that just came up so I am shutting down. Lots of lightening.

[Traci]

Instead of using a spray around the house (these aren't really that safe for animals, plus if they contain pyrethrins, they're toxic to cats), use a vacuum only. You can get a cheap flea collar from the pet dept in any store, or in a pet store, but the purpose is to put the flea collar in the vacuum bag, NOT ON THE CATS! OTC flea collars and other OTC flea products ARE toxic to pets. Once you get the entire house vacuumed, empty the bag with the flea collar immediately in an sealed outside trash can. Vacuum every day for about a week.

For bedding, toss in washing machine with color-safe bleach, wash in hot water if possible. If the cats sleep on your bed, you want to wash all the bedding, sheets, blankets, pillows etc.

Likewise, vacuum all furniture. Fleas will hide in carpet and on furniture, particularly livingroom furniture in the fibers.

Check screens or other areas of the home they might be getting through, seal them up, repair screens. You can't prevent all fleas from entering the screens, but if there are holes in the screens, patch them up.

Just want to ask, did the vet actually find evidence of fleas or flea dirt on your kitty? If not, she couldn't have diagnosed fleas without the evidence. Just want to be sure about this because if fleas weren't evident, then you still need to determine why kitty is scratching.

[tbvb05]

yes, after combing him for a while in one of the scratching areas along with a lot of dead flaky skin were little black dots and a few were moving.
The spray she gave me is Siphotrol Plus 11. Fast acting formula 100% knock down for adult fleas in 10 minutes. Kills both adult and immature fleas and ticks. Easy to apply water based aerosol. I am very leery of using this stuff. I have allergies and I have no idea if this stuff is going to make them worse, I don't want my son OR the cats getting sick.
I am going to call up there today and find out why it says to have people and animals out of the house. Does not give me confidence at all with this stuff.
He is still doing some scratching but not nearly as much this morning. I put the Revolution stuff on the backs of their necks last night. That stuff is expensive. I will keep you posted on what is happening. I like your idea much better.