Finnegan's skin...again.

alicatjoy

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I had to bring Finnegan in to the vet this evening due to a skin issue. Some of you may remember the original post. If not, you can read about it here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=221264. I've been lax about updating, but, in order to keep this post relatively short, I'm going to only quickly explain where we're presently at with this issue.

After the last appointment, my vet thought it was a behavioral issue. I waited 2-3 days before bringing Finn back in so that he could be prescribed antibiotics as I was unsure as to whether the inflamed area was beginning to become infected. At that point, he was given a 5 day course of Clavamox. The area became less inflamed and began to look better, but, over this last week, I've seen an increase in redness. I still rarely witnessed Finnegan bite or lick the affected areas, but it was becoming concerning enough that he needed to be seen -- especially since I saw a couple of new lesions crop up. And, since I wasn't at ease after his last appointment, I decided to bring him in for a second opinion.

Tonight, Finnegan was seen by another vet at the practice -- one I feel is more thorough. The other vet is excellent, but, in this case, I really think he jumped the gun and claimed it was a behavioral issue rather than tried to rule out other possibilities. While Finn has been with me since last November and no new pets have been brought in (and since the kitties are strictly indoors), I was concerned about ringworm. Since the lesions are on the insides of his legs (primarily the hind legs), the spots aren't indicative of ringworm. However, I know not every case is the same and, with the spread of the lesions, I know that ringworm is always a possibility. I was also concerned about an infection or a possible allergy -- be it inhalent, seasonal, or food related. So, we began the exclusion process this evening. The vet took a sample of Finn's skin and hair around the lesions and a fungal culture will be done. We did use a black light to see if the areas fluoresce, but they did not. However, that does not rule out ringwon; hence the fungal culture. I also opted to have Finnegan given the Convenia injection. The vet suggested it for his case and, in this instance, I agreed. If it is, indeed, a skin infection (staph), the antibiotic injection should work.

We've decided to wait on the fungal culture before beginning an exclusion diet in case he is allergic to his food. And, since he's not been itchy, we opted against putting him on an antihistamine or some sort of corticosteroid. If the fungal culture comes back negative, we may do a skin scraping, but I'm really hoping, at this point, that it is simply a skin infection and that the Convenia will help clear it up. Finnegan is not good about wearing an e-collar and so that's out for the time being, but I may have no choice if his condition continues to worsen. He's scheduled to go back to the vet in 14 days, but I should have the culture results in 5-10. Those results will likely push us in one direction or another. For now, I've opted not to confine Finn. If he has ringworm, everyone has been exposed by now. Dog, cat, human...we've all been around him. My gut tells me that we're not dealing with ringworm, but it did need to be ruled out. And, while the vet agrees that she doesn't think it's ringworm, it's too close a call to make.

I'm anxious about the whole deal. Finnegan hasn't been himself over the last couple of days and I know the spots on his legs can't feel good. He is playful and has a good appetite, but the fur loss and condition of his skin is certainly abnormal. No one else, including me (with my weakened immune system), has developed sores, lesions, or fur loss, but I will be looking out for anything out of the ordinary. My hope is that this is something that can be treated easily, but I am also fearful of what to do and how to best handle the situation. For now, I'm doing the best I can. And, that'll have to be good enough. It's just stressful to know my kitty isn't 100% and that, worse, it could potentially be something that could be harmful to my other pets or even myself. Thankfully, even if it is ringworm, it is treatable and not life threatening. However, no one wants to deal with ringworm and the other possibilities aren't desirable either (ie. a behavioral issue, an infection, or an allergy). But, I'll continue to do what needs to be done and, as time goes on, we'll know more. My goal is to remain calm and patient...and to NOT obsess or worry more than necessary.

If you can spare a vibe or two, they would be most appreciated. Please keep your fingers crossed that this isn't ringworm and that, whatever it may be, is treatable and won't break my heart, my mind, my resolve, or the bank. I know that everything will be okay and I'm doing the next right thing whenever possible, but it's never easy dealing with an illness of any kind -- be it a simple infection, ringworm, an allergy, or worse.

My poor Finster...
 

cazlee

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I'm battling a mystery skin condition too, and one that is in my case clearly not behavioral. My thread is http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=222065

I'm starting with nutritional... we also have a muted calico with dandruff. The 3rd cat is in great condition. I've been puzzled over the dandruff on the calico and recently switched from blue buffalo... back to wellness, but to the complete salmon... she was doing better on the indoor and her coat got icky on the blue buffalo...

good luck and if you figure it out, let us(me) know lol.
 

jennyr

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Good luck htat it is quickly identified and treated. I am sure you vet has thought of it but I have a cat with flea allergy, and although she is an indoors cat, if I don't keep up her Frontline treatments she soon starts pulling her fur out and gets red lesions.
 
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