Cat with Allergies?

myboys15

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Hello Everyone,

Two months ago we adopted a 3 year old "feral" cat from a local cattery. He was in the cattery for 6 months  Rory was said to be healthy and and up to date on all his shots.

Rory does not appear in anyway to be feral and he was not healthy. He was infested with fleas and had worms. He also had ear mites and  an ear infection both bacteria and fungal. He is flea and worm free now, and his ear issues were treated.

I took Rory back to the vet because his ears were still smelly and he had a large amount of discharge.  The Vet ( whom I trust 100%) stated that it looks like Rory has allergies. The vet could tell by the ear issues and loss of fur on the ears and face. Rory  now takes Chloropheniramine 2 mg BID.  I see a slight improvement but not enough.

I stopped all fish based foods. Changed  the litter at 2 week intervals. We do not smoke, so no cigarette smoke. We do use scented laundry detergent and bath products.

I go back to the Vet on 5/12.

I feel so bad for Rory. He looks like I look when my allergies are bothering me. He does not sneeze often. He does have occasional tummy issues.  He does move is legs when he is rubbing  his ears and I can see that he is uncomfortable.

I understand that it can be a guessing game to locate the allergy. I read that a hydrolyzed protein diet can help, along with bathing weekly.  I need to pin him down to pill him. ( I am a seasoned cat mommy so I know how to pill a cat. He will not eat it, if hidden in ANYTHING), so I can not see bathing him weekly, but if I had to I would.  I want to help him, not torture him for a possible cure.

Suggestions??
 

stephenq

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Hi I feel your pain!

So the ear mites were resolved? No more black gook right?

Assuming ear mites are resolved and its allergies, you could talk to your vet about dosages and alternative anti-histimines, and the possibility of a short course of steroids like Prednisilone which is well tolerated in otherwise healthy cats.  Cleaning the ears can be helpful.

From this very good article at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2141&aid=272

Allergies: Allergies are commonly treated with regular ear cleaning with an ear cleaning solution, antihistamines, and fatty acid supplements. Sometimes corticosteroids are needed. These may be given in an oral or injectable form, or they can be applied topically. Allergy testing and immunotherapy (hyposensitzation) may be the best way to cure the ear problem.

Another article is here http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/allergies

Food can be a source of the problem.  Royal Canin makes a hydrolyzed dry food, but the only wet food that's hydrolyzed is Hill's Z/D and it has a reputation in causing diarrhea in some cats.  If you start this food and it causes diarrhea stop giving it and contact your vet immediately. When this happened to my cat it took 2 weeks, 3 antibiotics followed by a probiotic to get it under control/

Another way to go food-wise is with a noel protein food like venison or rabbit and these are commercially prepared.
 
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myboys15

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Thank you very much StephenQ.  

Food elimination will be the next step.  The Vet wanted to see how the antihistamine worked before starting the tasks of switching foods, since in the last 2 months he has been on SO MANY medications.  There is no more black gook. Well, I should say that his ears no longer smell and the amount of black gook is not visible. His ears are still inflamed, so the vet does not want me cleaning them at this time.

I know that it's only been a few weeks on the antihistamine, but I am anxious for him to look and feel better. He is a mischievous sweet boy. 

Thanks again.
 
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