Cat with allergies or something more?

Hi there!

I'm new to this site and from Australia, and I have this kitty she's pure black, and 10 months old and ever since she was nearly 4 months old she has had random swelling to her limbs, and face and eyes and ears, as well as extremely itchy skin which she keeps scratching at until it bleeds and scabs over and then she keeps scratching it,  I've had to keep a cone on her head nearly all the time to stop her from scratching her face, we've tried changing her food, her litter, clipping her claws, washing her with anti itching cat shampoo, everything, even the vet said we should put her down as they had no idea what was wrong with her or what to do
They gave me an anti inflammatory for her swelling, called Redipred, which I give her one or two 2mil doses of when she swells really badly, and I'm nearly running out of it, I love her dearly and have no idea what's wrong or what more I can do and I can't afford $300 blood tests to have the vet say the same thing.

Just wondering if anyone has heard of or had a cat that has any of these problems?

Sorry for the rant just don't know what to do!

Thanks!!!

Hi, welcome to TCS.

Im so sorry your kitten is so poorly I can offer any help  but ill get an advisor into have a look swe if someone can offer some advice

Poor thing, I really feel for you. I cant offer much advice but just wanted to say do what ever you can, Obviously I understand money is always an issue, I know how expensive poorly cats can be but there must be something, dont loose hope.
 

Aww poor kitty!! Does she go outside at all? Could there be insects or plants causing this reaction?

Was she vaccinated, and if so, when?

What does she eat, and what other foods have you tried?
 

First, welcome to TCS.  (I'm so sorry that no one responded when you first posted.  I get most posting, and for some reason, did NOT receive this one) 

Second, I am so sorry your furbaby is going thru this .  I, too, wonder if it could be food related, even though you have tried switching her food.  What has she been fed so far?  My understanding is that it might take several weeks OFF an "offending" food before all the symptoms fully go away.  Or, if, say, she is allergic to chicken, and you try another food that has chicken in it, then she could still have the same problem. 

Also, when you say the swelling is random, how random?  Once a week?  More often?  Could it be associated with something you are doing around the house (cleaning product?)

Can you get her medication refilled without paying for an updated bloodtest? 

I'm hoping now that there are some replies, even more people will see this thread and have some ideas about what it might be.  for your little one

This doesn't sound like allergies at all to me. When cats have allergies, usually what happens is they chew/lick the fur on their front legs and tummy and sometimes scratch their ears/get ear infections. This sounds like a whole different ballpark.
I really hope someone on here has seen this before otherwise the only way would be to get veterinary help. Maybe a new vet will have answers without having to run tests for everything under the sun...