Does anybody elses cat get sore spots on the skin that they.

[Sara]

lick and lick? Vest has broken out again and needs to see the vet. I have been washing the spots but it has not helped. They are not scabbed or infected, just these various bald spots that he licks all the time so they are raw. They are nearly bleeding. Not drops of blood but sort of raw and reddish. Tomorrow is labor day here, I will have the vet come by and look at him on Friday. He has had this before and it never got bad. They eventually go away. She gave me a cream before to use and it did not help much. What do you guys think about maybe a skin scraping to see what it is? Is there something I can put on it tonight? Could he be allergic to my alpaca blanket or something? How do you do allergy tests on cats? He is always getting these off and on for no specific reason. He is acting really happy and healthy. Thanks! Sara

[Traci]

Sara, I'd definately opt for a skin scraping and/or culture. You need to rule out certain mites, or inflammatory conditions or allergies. Has he ever had any food sensitivities? Are you dealing with fleas? Does he do it when stressed or when everything seems to be normal?

[Sara]

or allergies that I know of. It happens randomly without any cause. I used to think it was stress related, like when I would go on vacation but it happens even when nothing is going on. At least nothing I can think of. His life is pretty calm. It just comes and goes. He recently had blood work for his leukemia vaccine and everything was normal. I am going to ask for skin scrapings. I hope they do that here. I just wish I knew what it was. They are about the size of a pea to the size of a dime. On the belly and chest, sometimes upper leg areas only. A skin test would show parasites or fungus but not allergy no? How do they test for allergy? Sometimes a bath helps him to get over it. I will bathe him tomorrow with Johnsons Baby Shampoo. I feel so badly about this.

BTW, the black neutered mail went home to his new family tonight. He is such a sweetheart. 11 or 12 months old, docile and affectionate. I find it hard to believe somebody would leave him on the street. He will make an amazing companion. Black cats are so sweet. BTW, he was never in our house, so that could not have upset Vest. He stayed with my vet. I did this behind Vest's back.

[Tina B and crew]

sara...Frodo did that for the longest time...we tried everything...we eventually pinpointed to to a combo of flea allergies (even though she is indoors, she goes onto a screen porch some) and her diet...stress made it worse. With a combo of diet change, homeopathics, bach flower remedies and using just a little advantage, her problem cleared up. But I'd recommend having him checked for all that Traci mentioned...then you can go from there. We thought Frodo was doomed to live with these for the rest of her life. Our previous vet would just give her a shot of cortisone and it would clear up...but within a few months they were back. That's what I like about our holistic vet...she treats the whole cat, not just the symptom.

[Traci]

Sara, don't use J&J baby shampoo, it's too harsh on kitties. Wait until you've seen your vet or else ask her about using a hypoallergenic shampoo, or an oatmeal based shampoo for cats.

These hot spots are localized so I would guess a mite or inflammatory condition. Food allergies tend to cause swelling and eruptions around the face, neck and chest, but some food allergies can cause fur licking and pulling elsewhere on the body.

Allergy testing is expensive and not always conclusive. Either tiny needle injections of offending agents or blood is taken and is sent off for testing and/or confirmation of food or environmental allergies. For food allergy suspicions, your vet can instruct you to switch to either a novel protein diet or one that is specifically hypoallergenic, and if the symptoms disappear, you can rule in food allergy. No need to persue allergy tests if a new food introduction works.

Also, try to stay away from carpet powders, or cleaners you use around the home that he may be reacting to. Look around his favorite areas and sleeping areas for any signs of irritating agents.

[Sara]

First Tina, how did your Vet figure Frodo's problem out? Did you switch food and or look at the skin/hair under a microscope?

Traci, I have not seen any oatmeal or hypoallergenic cat shampoo here in Argentina. That's why I use Johnsons. I might be able to find a pet/cat shampoo but not sure it will be hypoallergenic or oatmeal. Do you think a standard cat shampoo is better than the J&J? If not is there any other kind of shampoo?

Can Vest get mites if all other 5 cats are fine and I have never seen a flea? We live in an apartment, wooden floors, no garden. I guess mites are everywhere though. Can the vet clip fur and scrape some skin to see them? I know we all have microscopic ones but are there larger more dangerous ones that the vet can look for? We don't use any carpet powder but did get some litter box deoderant powder. We don't use it all the time though but I will stop for now. All we use around the house is a vacuum, broom, water mixed with floor cleaning solution and we wash the bedding and furniture covers all the time in the washing machine. Cat bedding too. The apartment gets cleaned everyday. You know, my s/o is also having skin allergy problems right now. It's very strange. I wonder if it's my laundry soap? At any rate I will call the vet tomorrow. This is just terrible. Vest has 3 of these spots. Face, eyes, mouth and chin look great though. No swelling or irritation around the face, ears or rear end. Just the underneath trunk area. I am sure my vet will give me cream and shampoo. If that does not work I will change the food and if that does not work I dont' know what to do. I will ask for a fir and skin scarping to be looked at at any rate. This does not sound too difficult to look for mites under the microscope if one knows the difference between good and bad mites. There are both no? I think I saw on discovery that we all have them. ICK!

[Sara]

it's hypoallergenic. But that is for humans, is it also hypoallergenic for cats? Thanks.

[Traci]

Traci, I have not seen any oatmeal or hypoallergenic cat shampoo here in Argentina. That's why I use Johnsons. I might be able to find a pet/cat shampoo but not sure it will be hypoallergenic or oatmeal. Do you think a standard cat shampoo is better than the J&J? If not is there any other kind of shampoo?

You should be able to find it at any pet store or specialized pet outlet, maybe a professional groomer's. J&J may be mild for humans, but no human shampoo should ever be used on a cat, they are simply too harsh, and because Vest has hot spots, I wouldn't take that risk.

Can Vest get mites if all other 5 cats are fine and I have never seen a flea?

Yes, especially if they are ear mites. All cats can pass ear mites to each other.

Can the vet clip fur and scrape some skin to see them?

What she will do is part the fur probably behind the neck, use a razor blade and gently 'scrape' the skin to collect the first epidermal skin cells. (it is a painless procedure) Then they are put on a slide and examined under a microscope. Most mites can be detected this way. She may also opt for a skin culture as well, this would involve plucking a few furs from the neck region (it also collects the hair follicles), putting it in a culture dish with agar and monitoring it for approximately 7-13 days for any signs of growth. If any growth occurs from the culture, she will differentiate it from allergy or fungal or inflammatory condition and will then prescribe the appropriate treatment.

know, my s/o is also having skin allergy problems right now. It's very strange. I wonder if it's my laundry soap?

It very well could be, and even your fabric softener if you use that. It could also be personal things you use for yourself, like your own shampoo, perfume, lotion, etc, especially if you handle him/hug and cuddle him directly after you've used something that might be irritating to him.

This does not sound too difficult to look for mites under the microscope if one knows the difference between good and bad mites. There are both no?

Well yes, to a degree, all living things involve microscopic mites, humans, animals, plants, the environment as we know it. As for our pets, there are various types, I'm not sure if your region in particular may harbor different species, it's unlikely. But, most can be seen on microscopic exam alone.

Not sure when Vest ever had a CBC done, but you might ask your vet about that, sometimes when the CBC shows eosinophils, this could indicate allergies or inflammation. That would be a good place to start as well as the skin scrape/culture.

[Sara]

Well it sounds like I need antoher litter box for Negrito. If I can find room.

It also sounds like I need a CBC (is that the initials for a complete blood work up?), hair folicle/skin test and skin scraping. I guess when he had his blood test it was not complete, only to look for feline diseases. I will ask for something more thorough. Actually is sounds like my s/o and Vest both need the same tests.

I will go to the vet and look for cat shampoo. No more J&J. I will also look for hypoallergenic soaps and fabric softners.

Thanks so much and I will post the results. Poor Vest though, getting a blood sample from him is not easy. Maybe I should save that for if the other tests don't show anything? Also, will ear mites show up from cultures and samples done around the neck or are they only in the ear area needing a seperate culture? His ears look good though.

[Traci]

Yes, a CBC is the 'complete blood count', which includes white and red blood cells, it is very useful for monitoring infections, immunosuppression, dehydration, inflammatory conditions. I would opt for this at the same time you get the skin scrape/culture if your vet in the least suspects an inflammatory skin condition. Otherwise, start with the skin scrape and/or culture.

Ear mites can always be found on a slide exam, they are probably the most evident exam on slide. For future reference, they also appear like dark brown or black waxy substance in the inner ear canal. Sometimes you can't see this if it is at the very beginning stage of infestation. What it actually is, is the waste of the mites. Gross.