Vest's skin problem is getting worse......

[Traci]

I'd suggest the University of Florida (Gainesville) Veterinary Teaching Hosp.

As for the test, it might be accurate, will have to wait on results and see just how many allergens come up on the results.

During any dietary approach, don't feed him cat grass or treats, these have to be ruled out as potential allergens as well. (process of elimination)....for example, if you're using a commercial petstore kitty grass kit, these can contain wheat, oat or barley seeds that could be potential allergens.

As for the cortisone, if it targets the problem, and reduces the symptoms, then proceed, but this is why your vet needs to look further, you don't want to continue anti-inflammatories long term.

Serologies are blood or serum sent to a lab to test for immunological disfunction, fungal or viral/infectious in nature. The allergy testing might be considered a serology of sorts, but what I am referring to is advanced testing to rule out immunologicals or fungal disease only (i.e., cryptococcosis, pemphigus, etc)

[Sara]

Should I ask that this blood test be sent to the Florida place and the other lab as well that she is going to send it to? Like two seperate lab tests or maybe send the whole kit and kaboodle to this university? I think I will look them up and send them an e-mail. I don't want to have to do two seperate blood draws. He might have to be sedated for the draw.

No grass, no treats.

It's hard not making him happy. Well we are wool free now. And a stricly HA catfood household. I think maybe the bath with the HA shampoo might be a good idea. The rash looks sort of icky. It might be good to have him all clean. I rememer in the past a bath helped.

I can't thank you enough. Vester would like to send a big kitty kiss to his Angel Traci.

[Traci]

I think I would first get a consult with someone at U of F first, they could probably tell you what they would recommend toward allergy testing. I don't think Spectrum labs does the other serologies, (and I think they are in California, maybe a lab in Rhode Island as well, don't quote me)

If your vet has ever used Antech Labs, she might want to give them a call and see if they do allergy testing, if so, you could get both that and other serology in one sample sent. But, see if you can get a pro feline allergy specialist consult first, she can then ask for recommendations on the lab in particular.

[Sara]

I just got the phone number to their small animal dermatology department and will call tomorrow and ask if I can speak with the feline allergist. I guess I will have to pay for a phone consult and go from there. I will post tomorrow what I find out. I will be so relieved to find out what this is and fix it. I sort of hope it's not the diet since he does not like it.

[Traci]

Sara, I think you'll need your vet to do the calling/consult.....I'm not sure if the dept will talk to you directly without having Vest's prior labwork and history to review, your vet should be able to do the consult on your behalf.

[Sara]

Okay... I will call first and try and find somebody that speaks Spanish. She does not speak any English. Wish me luck tomorrow!

[Sara]

I just found out that my vet is consulting with an allergist here, he or she is the one who is going to take the blood and send it to the lab. Should I still give the University a call and find someone who can speak to this allergist?

Sorry for hogging the board and being such a pain. I just want to do it right this time and get the problem resolved.

[Traci]

Not knowing the level of experience of the other vet (allergist), I don't know what to tell you. Guess I would still ask your vet to consult with U of F in case the allergist is not specialized or has much experience. You could probably call ahead and find a bi-lingual vet in the dept and maybe help set up a time between them and your vet. This would be difficult however, given your vet's schedule and the vet at U of F.

Find out from your own vet if she's used the allergist's services before, what kind of results she expects from that. If she's confident in them, then start with the allergist, bloodwork, and take it from there. If she isn't confident, then try with U of F.

[Sara]

I called them and they are looking for a bilingual feline allergy/dermatolgy person to call me back. I am going to try and set up a phone consult with them and my vet, not the allergist here, since my vet know's all of Vest's info and is his GP. The allergist has not met Vest yet. But at any rate I hope the specialist and my vet can make sure the allergist does the correct blood draw and sends it to the best lab. I will ask about getting the feline serology test. I assume they will draw blood for more different kinds of tests than just the serology? We are only one hour apart from Florida so I think this will work out fine. I am waiting for them to call me back today. Poor Vest looks even worse today, his little blisters are opening up. I think the vet is passing today to give him a shot.

[Sara]

Vest is still on the HA food and still has the spots. He had to have that second series of cortizone and now we are waiting until Monday to do the lab work. The vet is coming to draw a bunch of blood for the allergy test. I asked her about the serotonin test and she said he already had that when he had his test for feline leucemia not too long ago. I am not really sure what that means. Anyway, I have to give him 2 sedative drops. I don't really like to give those but he is impossible to draw blood without something when it's a large amount like what is required for this allergy test. Also, he is very delicate and tiny, so his veins are not that easy to tap. She is going to do the blood draw and then give it to the allergist who will send it to the states. If this turns up with too many allergins then I guess I will have to call that University in Miami and have them consult with the allergist here and do more testing. I called them once and they did not return my call but at least they are there and I know I have an option if this does not work out. We just have to find out exactly what this is so we can put the house back to normal again and poor Vest can feel normal again. They are all getting too fat on this HA food and the litter box stinks really bad with it. I also have all the wool carpets and blankets put away. I assume this test will take 2-3 weeks before we get the results since it's being sent to the states. I will just die if the results come back listing 120 allergins, lol! They test for 120 of them I think. I assume common things like food and household things like soap and materials. I sure hope Vest is alright. I feel very ill at ease not knowing what is wrong with him. He seems happy and healthy though, outside of not liking the food and missing his once a day wet food treat and lawn grass that I grow in organic soil. He is craving these things really bad, poor thing. I can imagine what it's like to be put on a diet you don't even like.

Sara