Food Allergies

[mschauer]

Originally Posted by KatGoddess

Is she on a raw diet? Just curious - if so, is it homemade raw or commercial raw and how long has she been eating it for?

With Tofu, it takes about 3-4 days before seeing an improvement.

Yup, she eats raw. It's my homemade. The scratching actually started shorty after I switched her to raw and it was the raw that I first suspected as the problem. But the scratching persisted after I switched her back to her old food for 2 weeks.

[Auntie Crazy]

The only allergen I've ever had any experience with was a flea allergy - and the itching did last a long, long time.

Jasmine (she was a Yorkie) would scratch herself bald in places, and this just from a bite or two taken on her daily walks. We never actually had fleas in the house.

Whatever it is, Mschauer, I hope you find it soon! That kind of mystery we can all do without.

[sharky]

Originally Posted by mschauer

Yup, she eats raw. It's my homemade. The scratching actually started shorty after I switched her to raw and it was the raw that I first suspected as the problem. But the scratching persisted after I switched her back to her old food for 2 weeks.

could it have merely been a "cleanse" from the old food? while most only do this a day or two others can up to a few months

[Auntie Crazy]

Originally Posted by sharky

could it have merely been a "cleanse" from the old food? while most only do this a day or two others can up to a few months

That's right, I just read about this myself somewhere - the skin is the biggest "filter", I think, and many of the toxins and stuff from the old food gets released from the cat's system through the skin.

If you like, Mschauer, if you think it might be relevant, I can go hunt down that article....

[mschauer]

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

That's right, I just read about this myself somewhere - the skin is the biggest "filter", I think, and many of the toxins and stuff from the old food gets released from the cat's system through the skin.

If you like, Mschauer, if you think it might be relevant, I can go hunt down that article....

If it's not too much trouble I would appreciate it. Especially if it says how long this "cleansing" can be expected to take.

[sharky]

Originally Posted by mschauer

If it's not too much trouble I would appreciate it. Especially if it says how long this "cleansing" can be expected to take.

I have read at least 10 books on raw feeding and NONE agree... I will give you the quick version.... up to 6 months .. but the most detoxing is within the first 21 days
For those who do not read books
http://www.twobitdog.com/DrFox/Findi...t-Dog-Cat-Food

Dr fox is well respected yet controversial

[Auntie Crazy]

I found the article that was tickling my memory, but I can't link it because it's old and recommends stuff we've since replaced with newer info.

However, the Feline Instincts website has a short blurb on this: Why Raw Diet for Cats and Dogs

Detox
Up to a month into the raw diet, some dogs and cats bodies are ridding themself of an accumulation of toxins from their former diet. These detoxes can happen periodically throughout the diet but should not last more than several days. After a period of detox you'll notice that your fur friend looks and feels better than before the detox started. If your pet experiences symptoms similar to detox that last longer than a few days contact your Holistic vet and have them look at your pet to insure that it isn't something other than a detox. Your vet can also add a remedy to help the detox go easier. Cats may go through a period of detoxification where they may experience loose or mucous stool, their coats may get worse before they get better, their eyes may begin to run or their ears might get gooey. Skin is even more itchy than normal. All of these are positive signs..

Unfortunately, as you can see, the timeframe it references is shorter than what your kitty has suffered through.

I don't know Mschuer, maybe a second vet opinion, or even a visit to a specialist?

In the absence of proof that the raw diet is to blame, though, I don't think I'd change it, since it's so good for her.

Good luck and keep us informed! I will keep you and your kitty in my thoughts until I hear she's feeling better.

[sharky]

I would second the second vet...

I am leary of blaming the raw as I think it is a extreme detox , I have done a few myself over the yrs ...

Ask your vet about protein and villi