Update on Socks

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I posted about Sock's health.

Socks was really ill about a month ago, and I scheduled an emergency vet visit. He had a sinus infection, and could hardly breathe They gave him an IV and some antibiotics, and he came home with me. It took a couple of weeks for him to recover, but he is well now!

In addition to his sinus infection, he also has a skin disease. I have to take him back to the vet in a couple of weeks for a checkup, and the vet will do some more test to figure out his skin issue, and we will try to make him better

In the mean time, she has told me to give him a bath once a week, which is helping a little, although he is REALLY not impressed with the bathing

She told me in my last visit that he might have to be put on steroids for his skin disease (although she couldn't completely diagnose it then). She didn't want to do anything with that until he was completely off his antibiotics and feeling better. Has anyone had any experience with steroids in cats? What could he have?

I am a little worried about the steroids to be honest. I don't really know a lot about cat medications. This is my first cat I have ever been really responsible for because my parents were the ones who took our pets to the vet This is a new thing for me!!!

Also, what are the vaccines that are totally necessary? I am afraid of those hurting them I have two other cats that are just about due on their shots, and I want to make sure to get them the vaccines they need, but not to give them anything that could hurt them

Socks is now mainly an indoor cat, and he is doing much better socially! Before I moved in, he had a social anxiety-like disorder and wouldn't let anyone touch him. He was almost feral, even though he was born here! Now he is a well adjusted house cat that sleeps with me, and give me headbutts

I hope everyone's kitties are happy and healthy I will post pictures of my babies soon!

Kayla

Sorry to hear he has a skin problem.

I will say rabies vaccine is a must. Even if your cat does not go outside, he could escape or a bat could get in your house. That happened to my daughter and they were on pins and needles waiting for the report from the health department on whether the bat was rabid or not. Thank goodness it was not.Do not fool around with rabies. Most states require it by law.

There are pros and cons with other vaccines. I have strictly indoor cats and do not give the FLV vaccine or FIV or FIP.

There will be others coming forth to give their thoughts also.

I think I am going to go with FIV. We had an FIV scar with Socks when I took him to the vets. I got him tested because my boyfriend was worried about that in particular with him. He does go outside about once a day for a short while, so I am definitely getting them their Rabies and FIV.

Originally Posted by MaineCoons

I think I am going to go with FIV. We had an FIV scar with Socks when I took him to the vets. I got him tested because my boyfriend was worried about that in particular with him. He does go outside about once a day for a short while, so I am definitely getting them their Rabies and FIV.

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No No, do not get the FIV vaccine, It is basically useless, and once it's given a cat will always test positive for FIV. If he got lost and picked up by a shelter and tested, he might be euthanized, immediately, if he tests positive for FIV.

If he goes outside you will want him to be vaccinated against the distemper and other upper respiratory diseases, herpes and other URI viruses (the vaccine is commonly just called "distemper vaccine" or FVRCP) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

FIV is spread only through deep bite wounds that usually result from fighting. If your cat is not getting into fights with strays of unknown health status he is at very low risk for FIV.

FeLV on the other hand is spread more easily from direct contact, nose touching, little spats, etc.

Its good that Socks is getting better and hopefully the skin problem can be diagnosed. A friend of mine has a chiwawa (yea its spelled wrong lol) doxie mix and he is actually allergic to himself. There is some chemical that dogs produce and Chester is allergic to it and was going bald around his eyes and losing chunks of fur at a time. He know is happily maintained on steriods and goes to see a doggie aucupuncturist. In that area where Ive been around steriods with pets its been a good thing and has shown great results so hopefully the same happens for your kitty.

Oh and the shots thing, mine are indoor kittys and I will only get the Rabies shots. By law its the only one required here but Ive also heard too many bad things about the other stuff they give. I have actually been turned away from vets offices because I refuse (adamently and will go as far as rudely) to get the other shots. Thankfully now I have a vet who respects my choice as a self informed and researched pet owner only trying to do the best for my babies!

His skin issue started around October. It was before I moved in, and it was after he had fleas. His hair falls out, and his skin is covered in scabs. His skin and fur were noticeably clearer, and his coat was shiny and thick.

About vaccines: noted. No FIV vac, Yes FeLV, Yes Rabies, Yes Distemper.

I think he is prone to getting sick from being outside. I have let him out 2 times since he has gotten better, and he is sneezing and sleeping in front of our heater again I am afraid he is getting sick again.

Unfortunately, the vet's office (like our own healthcare) is a business. I know they take things on for extra dough. I am glad to be here on a forum like this where I can get information from more experienced owners. It will help me not get taken advantage of

Just wondering why Vet told you to bath kitty - and so often? Bathing a cat robs their skin of the natural oils. Are you using some special product/soap when you bathe? I would almost be concerned that frequent bathing would make things worse, particularly when you don't even have a real diagnosis???

Have you considered a food allergy and tried a hypoallergenic diet? Even if a cat has been eating the same food for years, just like with humans, over time they can develop an allergy to one of the ingredients. Food allergies can cause skin issues, scabs, itching, scratching, etc.

Is kitty on any kind of supplements like Omega3 fatty acids? Most vet clinics sell supplements like this; either in capsule form or in a pump bottle that you squirt into cat's canned food (mine never went for the latter, personally though others' mileage may vary).

Has Vet done a skin scraping?

Have you considered getting a 2nd opinion? I think it's always best, if you have a cat with an ongoing problem and current vet is 'stumped', to seek a 2nd opinion. Sometimes what is stumping one Vet can be a no-brainer to another vet who's seen and treated similar cases. If this has been an ongoing issue, a good Vet shouldn't be offended that you're seeking a 2nd opinion. I would just request copies of your kitty's file (your right to request this, I always keep copies of my cat's vet records, notes, lab results, etc) so you can take to another Vet for him/her to review and see what's been done to date.

If your kitty gets sick easily, while a steroid shot may help in some regards, if kitty has a taxed immune system, the steroid might make that situation worse. Plus, it's not really a long term solution - particularly when you don't have a diagnosis.

What do you feed kitty?

As for vaccines, I'd personally forego them for now........until kitty's system is more stable. Something to consider. I guess if kitty goes outside, it would be good to keep up to date on them.......but vaccines themselves are taxing on the immune system and might make the situation worse?

Do you have a Univeristy Vet School in your area? Or any Cat-only Vet clinics? These are great places to go to, for a 2nd opinion.

I am not sure about the different kinds of vets in my area. I live in Brunswick, Maine.

They have been eating Meow Mix for a while, but I have changed their foods several times. I am getting low on our current bag, so I am going to get some Natures Variety and mix it in so I can switch to that.

I am not sure why she told me to bathe him once a week, but his skin is covered in scabs, and his fur falls out. I was REALLY hoping his antibiotics would do the trick, but as soon as his script was up, it came back full on.

I really doubt I have a University Vet School in my area, but I will look into it.

His next visit is two weeks from today, but if his sneezing gets worse, it will be back for his second emergency visit.

The vet didn't do any testing the last time he was in, other than a blood test for FeLV and FIV. He was WAY too sick for them to do anything like that, and they wanted to wait and see how he was on the antibiotics. His sinus infection had him REALLY ill.

I am currently using Earthbath Mango Tango Totally Natural Pet Shampoo & Conditioner in One

Ingredients:
Purified water, alkyl sulfates, vegetable based cleansers, PEG 150 (conditioning ingredient), aloe vera gel, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, mango essence. All ingredients are organic, 100% biodegradable.

Not sure about the qualify of Nature's Variety, but grocery store foods like Meow Mix are (and I mean no offense) horrible quality; very little nutritional value, filled to the bring with cheap quality grains and fillers and even dyes (coloring). Your kitty could have any allergy to any number of things in this quality of food.

Are you able to slowly switch to a more premium quality food like Go! or Go! Natural or Wellness, etc?

Although the Premium foods cost more, you actually feed less (because with the cheaper ones, cats eat more because they need more to feel full because they're so packed with nasty fillers) so it all evens out in the end.

I would seriously consider stopping the bathing or at least cutting back? Just the stress of that act is likely not good for kitty. I wonder what the others here think?

I've heard of some cats being allergic to the "dye" (coloring) that's in the cheap grocery store foods and food allergies can definitely manifest as skin issues.

I'm sure the others here can make recommendations about premium food choices; I can only recommend the ones my cats have eaten; there's tons more out there.

In addition, a higher quality food might help your kitty's immune system. There's just nothing but crap in Meow Mix, in all honesty.

Originally Posted by the_food_lady

Not sure about the qualify of Nature's Variety, but grocery store foods like Meow Mix are (and I mean no offense) horrible quality; very little nutritional value, filled to the bring with cheap quality grains and fillers and even dyes (coloring). Your kitty could have any allergy to any number of things in this quality of food.

Are you able to slowly switch to a more premium quality food like Go! or Go! Natural or Wellness, etc?

Although the Premium foods cost more, you actually feed less (because with the cheaper ones, cats eat more because they need more to feel full because they're so packed with nasty fillers) so it all evens out in the end.

I would seriously consider stopping the bathing or at least cutting back? Just the stress of that act is likely not good for kitty. I wonder what the others here think?

I've heard of some cats being allergic to the "dye" (coloring) that's in the cheap grocery store foods and food allergies can definitely manifest as skin issues.

I'm sure the others here can make recommendations about premium food choices; I can only recommend the ones my cats have eaten; there's tons more out there.

In addition, a higher quality food might help your kitty's immune system. There's just nothing but crap in Meow Mix, in all honesty.

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these are my thoughts too, but I want to add that you might consider just keeping him inside now, permanently, since you say he gets worse when he goes out.

He may be getting into something when he goes out unsupervised. It is even possible that there is some sicko giving him something that is not good for him.

But, most definitely, got to get him off the meow mix!

I am planning on keeping him indoors. I wish I could do it for all of them, but they were always indoor outdoor cats, and Red especially drives us insane Hershey stays in unless she absolutely wants to go out, and then she is only out for a little while. Socks doesn't mind being inside, and he seems happier now that we keep him in, even though he gives us a look when we let his momma and brother out.

I have literally let him out two times, and he already has the sniffles, so I definitely don't want to let him out anymore

Yeah, the meow mix is NO GOOD I am excited to get them on the Nature Varietie Prairie Kibble and wet food. I think that it will help all of the kitties, and I am hoping that Sock's skin issue is from a food thing. If not, there will be more tests to find out what it is

Natures Variety seems to be a premium kitty food:
http://www.naturesvariety.com/prairie_cat_kibble This is the food I want to feed them, and I am going to be buying it from a locally owned pet store. They are really great, and I think they will also be able to offer some advice on my kitties