persistant Itching.

Isis is at it again. We've tried, Predzone, Amitrypline and both have have decent results, but if she's on either more then a few days, she starts to vomit. But other then that, she's pretty much normal while on them, sometimes a little zombie like, but for the most part normal.
What my question is, is what can I do to permanently keep her from itching herself into cuts again? I am so worried about her, should I put her back on the pred or the amitryp?
While on the pred she didn't itch but she gained alot of weight, same with the Amptryp. Is there something I need to have to vet do to find the cause of all her itching? It doesn't have a pattern, just comes on all of a sudden no warning.
I really don't want to keep her on meds forever if I can help it, but I will if it helps her and won't hurt her in the long run...

Have you done either pick or blood allergy tests... neither is 100% but it might help find the source of the problem

Originally Posted by sharky

Have you done either pick or blood allergy tests... neither is 100% but it might help find the source of the problem

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Not that they've told me. How do I go about getting them done? Just ask or do I have to see a specialist?

Depends on the vet .. for me the blood and prick tests were in office ... the muscle tests are done by my holistic/ conventional vet in office or in home ( I find these more accurate but it often is only done by alternative providers

Originally Posted by sharky

Depends on the vet .. for me the blood and prick tests were in office ... the muscle tests are done by my holistic/ conventional vet in office or in home ( I find these more accurate but it often is only done by alternative providers

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What do they do for a prick test? is it like a blood test? Sorry for all the questions, just need answers so when I call vet tomorrow I can tell them what I want..

look up human allergy tests as my description could be a touch scary...lol

http://foodallergies.about.com/od/di...pricktests.htm

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-tests

this is not something I say try yourself unless someone with some expertise shows you and explains the proper way
http://www.allergyescape.com/muscle-testing.html

Thanks hon. I think I will be asking about these test when I call tomorrow.

Does the vet think the problem is stress/anxiety/behavioural? And this is why he has perscribed these medications? Has food allergies been ruled out? I had to do a process of elimination diet to find out what my cat was allergic to. I think the tests Sharky suggested will help as well.

Good luck! And please keep us updated

Originally Posted by Denali

Does the vet think the problem is stress/anxiety/behavioural? And this is why he has perscribed these medications? Has food allergies been ruled out? I had to do a process of elimination diet to find out what my cat was allergic to. I think the tests Sharky suggested will help as well.

Good luck! And please keep us updated

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No test have been done as far as I know. They just gave her this stuff because she was becoming full of cuts from itching so much. They said it COULD be because she is so antisocial, but they weren't to hip on the idea. It was like they just tossed it in there as a second thought. I'll keep you updated..

Well, I told you I'd update this and well I honestly forgot. ( )
I took her to the vet a few days after I snooped around here looking for answers and well was told they didn't do the tests I wanted there but they DID give her another steroid shot and found something on her that made me so upset... SHE HAD FLEAS!!!!! That's right, FLEAS!!!!!! How and where she got them we have NO idea since she's an indoor only cat (all of our cats are) and as far as we could see none of the other cats had any...
Anyway, the itching problem all started to come together (this time anyway) after getting off the amitriptlyne she started to itch with a vengance, but I never gave a thought to an insect problem, so I just thought she was itching because of something unknown again.. but when I took her to the vet and he found fleas on her, I was so upset, I had him put Advantage on her (because of her cuts, I didn't want to her her anymore then she was) and I got Advantage to put on the 5 other furballs. Boy they didn't like that ONE bit..
It DID make me realize that apparently I need to treat them during the summer because either dh or I (or both) brought home fleas from somewhere and didn't realize it. So next summer (if you can call them that anymore) I will be treating all my cats all summer long...( first time I've had to do that in years... )

thank you for the update ...

fleas could come in on a dog or your clothes without you knowing

Originally Posted by sharky

thank you for the update ...

fleas could come in on a dog or your clothes without you knowing

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That's what we figured. DH and I have been out in the woods alot taking pictures this summer and never gave it a thought.We also have friends that have dogs that have fleas. So I guess 2+2 = 22 for us this time... We dropped the ball. I hope that it's a flea allergy that Isis has, I guess we'll see next summer when we start treating them right when the weather starts getting warmer...

Well, it's only been about two weeks or so since Isis was at the vet and he found fleas on her and we treated her and all the others... Well, she's back scratching and cutting herself again.
So we have an appt Friday to see what the next step is...Obviously nothing is working steroids, shots, Advantage, Amatriptline, basically you name it she's had it or been on it... Nothing is working...UGH! I wish I knew why she does what she does...It's hurting her I can tell, because she's crying when she scratches.. So on to the next step....

Okay my version of itchy ??? time

what food and type of food is she eating ? what foods have been tried ?

do you have a air filtration system?

Do you change the air filter on the furnace and air conditioner regularly?>

Do you have carpet? if so is it newer?

Originally Posted by sharky

Okay my version of itchy ??? time

what food and type of food is she eating ? what foods have been tried ?

do you have a air filtration system?

Do you change the air filter on the furnace and air conditioner regularly?>

Do you have carpet? if so is it newer?

Click to expand...

She was eating Pro plan dry she never eats wet food, we changed that to Dr Fosters all natural food, still itching.
We have a uv filteration system on our furnace/ac and we change the filters each month.
We have carpet and no it's not new, it came with the house and I'm not sure how old it is but we steam cleaned it before the cats came up.
and the itchy is itching until it bleeds itchy, all the time itching and scratching and licking...

When did you steam clean?? often chemical residue is left

Do you have access to a NO grain food?? what grain s are in the current food

Originally Posted by sharky

When did you steam clean?? often chemical residue is left

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2 years ago... Hubby used vinegar and water only no chemicals...
I wish I knew what was wrong with her... I feel so bad. I know she's not herself, she's just miserable and there isn't anything I can do to help her...