We have done EVERYTHING we can think of to help Luna and the ulcers on her mouth. Our vet is convinced it is caused by an allergy, either food or airborne, not an autoimmune disease, though I have been giving her l-lysine as well. We have changed her food and I think we have tried 5 different protein sources. We have changed her cat litter. We have changed our cleaning products. She has had steroid shots to make the ulcer go away but the last two steroid shots have NOT made them go away. Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks in advance.
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We have tried everything... indolent ulcers.
- Thread starter lunatuna
- Start Date
I know of some people in the yahoo herpes group give pure evening primrose oil to their kitties to decrease inflammation. They say that it also works for rodent ulcers on the mouth, jaw, and chin. The amount is 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon once daily. I give it to my herpes kitty to help with nasal inflammation and buy my oil online from Amazon. Once it's opened it needs to be stored in the fridge. I add it into her morning wet food (along with powdered lysine). It's also good for humans who suffer from inflammation type problems and it works well to soften cuticles and dry skin.
In addition to the evening primrose oil, you can add 500mg of krill oil. I recommend NOW Neptune krill oil, it's what I'm using for my kitties.
Our Chum had issues with rodent ulcers when we first rescued him. He had other issues as well, they all appeared to be "allergies." We saw a holistic vet (trained in Chinese Medicine), who put him on some herbal meds, and it resolved all the problems. We did switch him to an all wet food diet, but in the end we didn't have to go crazy trying to identify the source of the allergies. This was Nov/Dec 2010. If you're in the US, you can search to see if there's a holistic vet near you: http://www.ahvma.org
In January of this year, we switched all the cats to a raw food diet. We were able to take Chumley off all meds and herbals. Allergies are when the immune system goes haywire, and inflammation (rodent ulcers) can be a result. In a human, the equivalent diet would be eating fruits, veggies and whole grains - minimally processed foods. Switching to raw usually clears up "allergy" problems in cats. It's an anti-inflammatory diet for them, and the minimal processing seems to make a huge difference. :dk: There are a lot of commercial raw foods available now. :nod: If it's something you want to consider, or want to ask questions, feel free to start a thread in the raw forum.
http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-feeding-for-cats
Our Chum had issues with rodent ulcers when we first rescued him. He had other issues as well, they all appeared to be "allergies." We saw a holistic vet (trained in Chinese Medicine), who put him on some herbal meds, and it resolved all the problems. We did switch him to an all wet food diet, but in the end we didn't have to go crazy trying to identify the source of the allergies. This was Nov/Dec 2010. If you're in the US, you can search to see if there's a holistic vet near you: http://www.ahvma.org
In January of this year, we switched all the cats to a raw food diet. We were able to take Chumley off all meds and herbals. Allergies are when the immune system goes haywire, and inflammation (rodent ulcers) can be a result. In a human, the equivalent diet would be eating fruits, veggies and whole grains - minimally processed foods. Switching to raw usually clears up "allergy" problems in cats. It's an anti-inflammatory diet for them, and the minimal processing seems to make a huge difference. :dk: There are a lot of commercial raw foods available now. :nod: If it's something you want to consider, or want to ask questions, feel free to start a thread in the raw forum.
http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-feeding-for-cats- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
We switched to raw over a year ago. At first it was amazing! She went the longest she ever did without a flare up! She was eating Primal beef and salmon. The she got an ulcer that would not go away so we decided to try rabbit but she wouldn't eat that so now she has been eating pheasant for about 2 months. We decided to do another steroid shot to nip in the bud and start again from square one with no ulcer but it is two weeks since the shot and there has been no change in the ulcer.
The vet she sees now is trained in Chinese Herbal Medicine. She wants to try accupuncture next I think.
The vet she sees now is trained in Chinese Herbal Medicine. She wants to try accupuncture next I think.
Oh wow - you really have tried everything! 
Are you already using salmon or krill oil? If not, I would definitely try the krill oil (500mg) daily, and the evening primrose oil (also 500mg daily). :nod:
I also wonder.... what about introducing more proteins, or a different brand of raw? :dk: I know Primal, like Nature's Variety, has a long list of fruits and veggies, even though it's limited to 5% of the food. What about raw with a more simple ingredient list? Rad Cat, Darwin's Natural, Feline's Pride... :dk: And rotating proteins, so her body doesn't .... "adapt" to one? :dk:
Are you already using salmon or krill oil? If not, I would definitely try the krill oil (500mg) daily, and the evening primrose oil (also 500mg daily). :nod:
I also wonder.... what about introducing more proteins, or a different brand of raw? :dk: I know Primal, like Nature's Variety, has a long list of fruits and veggies, even though it's limited to 5% of the food. What about raw with a more simple ingredient list? Rad Cat, Darwin's Natural, Feline's Pride... :dk: And rotating proteins, so her body doesn't .... "adapt" to one? :dk:
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
Thank you so much! I have a call into the vet and hopefully will hear from her tomorrow. She only works Friday, Saturday, and Monday. I am concerned now that Luna has not responded to the steroid shot at all this time. I'll bring up all your suggestions to her. I am desperate! Aside from the ugly ulcer, she is in perfect health! Her coat is soft and shiny and her eyes are bright and she has the greatest personality! I can't tell if the ulcer is painful to her. Do you know if they are?
I don't know. Chumley had them on his gums, but it went along with gingivitis, so I know he was uncomfortable. 
If it's just a form of inflammation and not inside her mouth, it/they are probably not painful.
If it's just a form of inflammation and not inside her mouth, it/they are probably not painful. 
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Atopica (cyclosporine)? Allergy shots?
I mention those because I know a cat who was on atopica (cyclosporine) for years. Eventually the side effects of the atopica got to him, they ran some allergy tests and now instead of the atopica he is getting allergy shots. Taking steroids for now, which will gradually be reduced and stopped as the shots (hopefully) begin to work.
Good luck with your Luna.
I mention those because I know a cat who was on atopica (cyclosporine) for years. Eventually the side effects of the atopica got to him, they ran some allergy tests and now instead of the atopica he is getting allergy shots. Taking steroids for now, which will gradually be reduced and stopped as the shots (hopefully) begin to work.
Good luck with your Luna.
