Looking for advice about skin problem

Hi all. I'm looking for a bit of guidance about my cat's skin issues before I call the vet and bring him in yet again.

My 2 year old male cat Loki has had ongoing skin issues. We're getting close to a year of dealing with this. Initially the vet thought it was a food allergy cause his ears had some missing fur. This was last November and I had just reintroduced my bf's angry cat and she was taking out some frustrations on him. An all duck diet ensued. His ears got better but then in February he was getting large itchy scabs around his tail. Another trip to the vet + antibiotics + steroids and it got better. We also switched him to Hills Z/D. After the course of steroids the itchy patches came back. /headdesk

Fast forward to a month ago...found a kitten in our BBQ. My bf convinced me to keep her which of course threw off my other two cats (not fun, separation failed...just all over bad). Since her untimely arrival Loki has developped itchy scabs EVERYWHERE. Chest, back, neck, tummy, ears. My poor boy is losing fur in those spots too. The vet recommended a dermatologist because we were out of ideas. (Not fungus or mites or fleas etc etc). Then my bf mentioned cat scratches and as I looked down at my scratched up and itchy arms (dang kitten nails) a lightbulb went off - he's allergic to the other cats' scratches. This is just my theory and I'm really not sure how to prove it.

Sorry for the wall of text. Anyway I cut Isis and Freya's (kitten) nails. Both girls hate it very much so it's not a great experience. I'm working with the kitten but Isis will probably never change. BTW when Isis and Loki play sometimes she'll attack his butt area as he runs away. It's just what they do and no one seems to get hurt. But this is not fair to my boy. Right now he's in a cone to lessen the damage he does and from here I don't know where to go.

Declawing is not an option.

I don't want my cat in a cone or on steroids for the rest of his life

Getting rid of Loki or Isis will never happen unless I break up with my bf (also not likely)

Current plan:

Get Loki on a course of antibiotics (secondary infection) and steroids to get rid of the scabs and itch

Omega 3 supplement (already started, but can take 3 months to make a difference)

Nail caps for Isis

Nail caps for Freya (still have to wait until she is bigger)

I feel terrible for putting my cat through this. I love him more than anything in this world. I'm torn between keeping the kitten and giving her away (I have a friend who would take her).

Does my plan make sense? Does my theory even make sense lol?

Any other advice would be awesome.

Current plan:

Get Loki on a course of antibiotics (secondary infection) and steroids to get rid of the scabs and itch

Omega 3 supplement (already started, but can take 3 months to make a difference)

Nail caps for Isis

Nail caps for Freya (still have to wait until she is bigger)

Click to expand...

That certainly sounds like it's worth a try. Have you also tried Feliway plug-ins (Comfort Zone) to try to reduce Loki's stress? Is it possible to give him someplace where he can retreat from the other two cats, e.g., a room with a cat flap in the door that only he has a collar key to? There are ones that can be programmed to a certain microchip only, too.

I have a feliway going and use the spray as well. So far it hasn't helped anyone lol. I can't put in a cat door cause I rent The kitten gets into every room, I've tried to block some off so only the big cats could get in but she's very persistent and smart!. I live in a little 2 bedroom apt so there's not a lot of space. Loki hates being isolated and gets pretty sad if I lock him in the bedroom "for his own good".

I try really hard to keep the kitten off of him (he's a big push over), but I'm not always home. Thanks for the reply

If it was your idea the problem is Freya scratching Loki, and the vet did not confirm it, why even worry about that?

I don't know if you have read my thread about Lucas, he has been going through lots of skin problems, he's been on every diet on earth and all he had was anxiety.  I don't know if this is what your cat has, but still,  read it just in case.  Here is the thread:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/244155/photo-update-of-lucas

Hugs

TAmmy

I find that you have a great plan of action there. Definitely try the Feliway, and if you don't see a change you can check out Rescue Remedy. :nod:

Loki went to the vet last week. He had 6 biopsies taken, to rule out everything we can possibly find. So my poor little buddy is in a cone, on antibiotics and prednisolone. I'm a bit disappointed so far because it's been a week and nothing is really clearing up. He seems depressed and uncomfortable. I think the cone is the biggest problem. As soon as it comes off to eat he cleans himself, I assume he feels like he hasn't had a bath in a week...which wouldn't be fun. I let him lick for a bit but put it back on when he starts to pick at a spot.

Isis has her soft claws on. She wasn't happy about it but they look great!

I bought some kitten ones for Freya but she's still too little and they don't fit, cutting her nails again today.

Thanks for the link Tammy, your cat is looking great! I hope we can find a solution for Loki's issues. We pretty much ruled out psychogenic causes because he stopped scratching on pred last time.

oh, it is a different problem then, I pray to God that you can find out what is going on with your kitty, I know how hard it is not really knowing what is causing the problem   I felt like that for years with my Lucas. 

He's still itching despite being on allergy meds for 2 weeks...I'm worried now that it might be psychogenic. Sigh.

He's going back on the z/d I was really hoping it wasn't food related but he's getting progressively worse despite medicating. He's got rashes on his face and one eyelid is all puffy. I feel so bad for my little guy. This year has been awful for allergies for me too. sigh. Sorry for the vent but we're coming up on a year of this in November and I feel like we've made zero progress.