Premium food causing the problem?

I'll do a cliff's notes version of my story:

Adopted 2 male kittens @ 7 weeks old, littermates. Started them off on Wellness Core after researching grain-free high protein etc etc.

Neutered and vaccinated @ 7 months old. In month 9, both started to chew their fur off rear legs/thighs. This progressed to front legs/paws.

Switched cat foods after researching food allergies. Assumed chicken was the culprit. Started feeding Ziwipeak. Itchiness and chewing progressed. One cat is far worse, having removed most of the fur from his back and tail and developed plaques on his inner thighs.

Saw a dermatologist. Blood tests on both showed random allergies to various grasses. Did a food elimination trial on kangaroo meat. Symptoms improved slightly. Was told by derm to go back to original food as they were not improving enough to indicate a food allergy (?!)

Went back to ziwipeak and kept the affected cat in an e-collar for several months.

Switched vets, saw a behaviorist thinking hyperesthesia could be the issue. Behaviorist put them on Amitriptyline. (my one boy cries and cries all night and suffers chronic interstitial cystitis) Also doing subcutaenous fluids for the one boy.

So, I have one cat who prefers to rip all of his hair out until he bleeds but is otherwise seemingly healthy and happy and I have another cat who prefers to cry all the time and stress himself out of peeing.

Everyone I know who has cats feeds them the stuff you find in grocery stores...everything I have read NOT to feed them. And all of their cats are FAR healthier than mine who have been eating 2 dollar a can food ( and even *gasp* dry food) their whole lives.

I am wondering: could I have somehow caused an allergy due to them ingesting high levels of high quality proteins? I know it sounds RIDICULOUS, but I can't help but think that every other cat I know or have had as a pet that was eating nine lives and friskies has not had a single problem my kitties are suffering from. I'm at a loss.

Pinecone said:

 
Everyone I know who has cats feeds them the stuff you find in grocery stores...everything I have read NOT to feed them. And all of their cats are FAR healthier than mine who have been eating 2 dollar a can food ( and even *gasp* dry food) their whole lives.

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Edited: my cats don't eat dry food. I meant that I know other cats who exclusively eat dry food and are fine.

Neutered and vaccinated @ 7 months old.

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Nothing to add, but I did notice this. In the future, do not get any vaccinations done at the same time your cats are having surgery for anything, or if they are ill.

http://members.petfinder.com/~CA469/vaccineInfo.html

Never give a vaccination while other procedures are being performed, such as dentistry, surgery, grooming and boarding (these situations are already creating stress to the immune system)

Never vaccinate a sick animal, no matter how mild the illness

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You know, I really wish I had not gotten them vaccinated at all. They are indoor only cats. They received their first round of vaccinations around 3 months old and the last one was given when they got neutered. I just trusted the vet, which I have since learned is not always wise.

I'm sorry your cats are having these problems. I know it can seem ironic that some cats do well on dry food and some cats do poorly on high quality food. Sometimes it takes years for problems to show up, develop; other times, days.
What specifically are you currently feeding them?
It is possible your cats could be allergic to some type of additive or protein in the food. Or the detergent you use to wash what ever they sleep on the most. Or the pollen in the air--you get the idea....
As an aside: Ritz' FHS (hyperesthesia) increased dramatically after I had her vaccinated against rabies one year and distemper the next year during her yearly wellness check. But she eats anything (everything) without an allergic reaction. I fed prey model raw, which is sometimes recommended when dealing with a cat who has FHS and definitely something to consider after consulting with a vet (perhaps one that is feline only) when dealing with allergies of unknown origin.

I'm thinking it's not a food allergy. Have you explored environmental causes? Carpet powder, air freshener, cleaning fluid, laundry detergent, etc.? I know the allergy test said grass---have you done anything to lower pollen count indoors?

You might also try probiotics/enzymes. I know that sounds odd for a non-digestive problem but the immune system is heavily affected by gut health. I know my seasonal allergies are not as bad if I remember to take my probiotics . Try a good strong human-quality brand of probiotics; the kind sold for pets are usually dead cultures and not as strong. For enzymes I do like Prozyme; it seems to be a good product even if it is sold for pets .

I do add a "pet" probiotic to their wet food. I can try my human one and see if there is a difference.  I have tried in vain to give them slippery elm and a dozen other herbal supplements I read about here. These are some high maintenance cats!

They eat Ziwipeak lamb. That's pretty much the only ingredient!

* Ziwipeak: Lamb Meat, Liver, Tripe, Heart and Kidney, Green-lipped Mussel, Guar Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Vitamins, Minerals, Carrageenan, DL-Methionine, Taurine

In searching for carageenan-free food, I had been giving them Weruva lamb, but there is also fish in it and I fear giving them too much fish due to the chronic bladder issues.

* Weruva: Fish Broth,  Lamb, Tuna, Lamb Lung, Locust Bean Gum, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Fish Oil, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite (Source of Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement.

The only other food they had been on since the problems developed was from Rayne Clinical Nutrition which was a prescription diagnostic food.

* Ingredients: Kangaroo, Kangaroo Broth, Butternut Squash, Glycine, Dextrose.

However, in their infinite stubbornness, they refuse to eat that stuff anymore, especially the version that has vitamins included.

I have also tried prepared raw foods and they want NOTHING to do with it. I've tried primal freeze-dried, primal raw, bravo raw, and I even went and bought kangaroo steaks at the butcher (which were 20 bucks a piece!!!!) and they just aren't having it.

As far as environmental issues, I clean with water and a mild "green" soap that's supposed to be safe for pets/humans. I don't use carpet powder on my area rugs and the wood floors don't get anything but the soapy water or a vacuum. I scoop their litter boxes twice a day and the litter is the same they've always had. The only other thing I can think of is that the house is OLD. There are very possibly inhalant allergens behind the walls or in the attic space that I simply can't see. Short of moving, I am not sure how I would figure that out. Thing is, it definitely isn't seasonal. They chew their fur non-stop all year round whether the snow (and there's been a lot of it) is on the ground or there are flowers everywhere.

I have bathed them, done sulfur dips, and tried ACV on cotton balls applied to their fur. Nothing helped. The anxiety meds honestly don't seem to be helping much either and I'm not sure I should really even keep them on it at this point.

Have you considered consulting with a holistic vet? I have to wonder if there is some type of a vaccine reaction going on given the timing.

vball91 said:

Have you considered consulting with a holistic vet? I have to wonder if there is some type of a vaccine reaction going on given the timing.

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That was my next step but the only holistic vet near me has been out on maternity leave. I'm still waiting for her to return so I can make an appointment.

How frustrating!  My thoughts are along the lines of environmental as well.  What "green" soap are you using?  Were the plaques biopsied?

peaches08 said:

 
How frustrating!  My thoughts are along the lines of environmental as well.  What "green" soap are you using?  Were the plaques biopsied?

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I use Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner. And I have learned not to clean often because my UTI cat gets really stressed out whenever there is "spring cleaning" going on or anything disrupting his territory. I moved a table once and he stopped peeing. We don't do things like that anymore. His xray showed a layer of "sludge" which we're trying to flush out for his next visit this weekend.

The plaque was inspected by the dermatologist and she concluded that it was related to food. But I do not believe it was biopsied. Interestingly enough, after he was eating the Rayne diet for a few days it cleared up completely. It was about the size of an oreo cookie one day and then no more than a week later had vanished. But they just won't touch the stuff again.

2 kitties with 2 very different and frustrating problems.

Pinecone said:

 
I use Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner. And I have learned not to clean often because my UTI cat gets really stressed out whenever there is "spring cleaning" going on or anything disrupting his territory. I moved a table once and he stopped peeing. We don't do things like that anymore. His xray showed a layer of "sludge" which we're trying to flush out for his next visit this weekend.

The plaque was inspected by the dermatologist and she concluded that it was related to food. But I do not believe it was biopsied. Interestingly enough, after he was eating the Rayne diet for a few days it cleared up completely. It was about the size of an oreo cookie one day and then no more than a week later had vanished. But they just won't touch the stuff again.

2 kitties with 2 very different and frustrating problems.

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Sounds like he's setting urinary stones/blockage.  Do you check his urine pH?  I know that helps some member's cats.

In that there are oils in those products (and they smell very strong to me), I'd try using something like just vinegar and alcohol to clean instead.  I've been surprised at how sometimes the most seemingly innocent things can cause problems.

peaches08 said:

 
Sounds like he's setting urinary stones/blockage.  Do you check his urine pH?  I know that helps some member's cats.

In that there are oils in those products (and they smell very strong to me), I'd try using something like just vinegar and alcohol to clean instead.  I've been surprised at how sometimes the most seemingly innocent things can cause problems.

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You know, the animal behaviorist told me to use lavender oil and in my infinite research I have found conflicting information about the use of essential oils. Maybe I'll start using vinegar for a while and see if there is an improvement at all.

I don't know how people are getting their pets transitioned to raw food. I want to. I have purchased so much of it only to throw it away because they refuse to eat it. I'm wondering if I should just try Primal raw chicken and see if they eat that, even though they seem to react poorly to canned chicken foods.

Pinecone said:

 
You know, the animal behaviorist told me to use lavender oil and in my infinite research I have found conflicting information about the use of essential oils. Maybe I'll start using vinegar for a while and see if there is an improvement at all.

I don't know how people are getting their pets transitioned to raw food. I want to. I have purchased so much of it only to throw it away because they refuse to eat it. I'm wondering if I should just try Primal raw chicken and see if they eat that, even though they seem to react poorly to canned chicken foods.

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In my 20's I developed very red and irritated eyes that burned and itched like crazy.  I'd wake up with my eyes matted with crusts.  It looked like a bad case of pink eye, but it wasn't.  The derm and eye specialist were both stumped.  One day, I decided to try a different facial cleanser.  Bam, that was it!  I tossed my Phisoderm and never touched it since.  I'm not a cat, but I'm just trying to show how easily the simplest things can get past us.

Here's a thread on some cleansers to try:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/262847/by-request-homemade-natural-safe-household-cleaning-solutions.  I obviously cannot guarantee that this will work, but geez, it's worth a try considering the headaches you and your kitties are going through.

As far as raw, I was lucky.  Mine went crazy for it.  As far as trying raw, how about just trying plain ole meat from the grocery store? Our raw forum can help you later with recipes to balance the meat. Also, there's the option of cooking the meat. 

I will be brave and try some grocery store meat this weekend. I'll try it cooked first and turned into a pate. I don't really think I can handle working with raw meat just yet as I'm not set up to make raw meals for them at this time. I'd rather this than feed them friskies, though reading catinfo.org has me wondering if I shouldn't just grab the cheap stuff at this point. My mom's cat THRIVED on "whatever was on sale at the grocery store". Mine are sad tufts of fur and scabs

Be aware that most of the grain-free/by-product-free/muscle meat choices such as Wellness, Nature's Variety, EVO 95%, etc., are high in fat and relatively low in protein in order to keep the profit margin high.

Given this fact, I can't help but wonder if Friskies, 9-Lives, etc. (all by-products, no muscle meat) may actually be better diets because many of these by-product foods are higher in protein and lower in fat than the more expensive diets that are free of by-products.

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Pinecone said:

 
I will be brave and try some grocery store meat this weekend. I'll try it cooked first and turned into a pate. I don't really think I can handle working with raw meat just yet as I'm not set up to make raw meals for them at this time. I'd rather this than feed them friskies, though reading catinfo.org has me wondering if I shouldn't just grab the cheap stuff at this point. My mom's cat THRIVED on "whatever was on sale at the grocery store". Mine are sad tufts of fur and scabs

Be aware that most of the grain-free/by-product-free/muscle meat choices such as Wellness, Nature's Variety, EVO 95%, etc., are high in fat and relatively low in protein in order to keep the profit margin high.

Given this fact, I can't help but wonder if Friskies, 9-Lives, etc. (all by-products, no muscle meat) may actually be better diets because many of these by-product foods are higher in protein and lower in fat than the more expensive diets that are free of by-products.

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My cats eat grocery store meats raw and are fine.  So do most of the other raw feeders, except for certain types of meats that they can only source from Hare Today and such.  When I mentioned trying grocery store meats, try feeding them a piece the size of dice.  Just cut a corner off the chicken that you're about to cook for yourself.  This is just to see if they'll even try raw.  Of course you can try cooked too.  Again, if they'll eat it, then we can help you in the raw forum to properly balance the meat as far as calcium, organs, etc.

www.catinfo.org is a great resource.

I'll give it a shot. They were absolutely disgusted by Primal Pet raw rabbit, the raw beef and the raw turkey which is why I've been scared to try it on my own.

I love catinfo.org! It's given me hope lol.

I have been feeding all of my Feral colony Friskies wet and dry food supplemented with Iams dry and Kirkland (Costco brand) dry. In all of these years, there are just two in the colony (distantly related to one another) that have had any kind of skin problems or allergies. 

I started both of them on Advocate, which I get from a supplier in Australia. There is something in that formula that knocks out their skin problems. One cat is simply "cured" on the Advocate. The other is helped 90%.

So, I swear by my formula of food and flea control. Since the Advocate has been so helpful for the two with skin problems, I use the Advocate on all of the Feral Cats I can get it on.

The one other thing I use on any of the cats when needed is Vetericyn VF spray for Wound and Infection Care. You would think they would go nuts with a spray, but I hold the spray function right next to their skin and spray away until they are almost wet. For some reason they don't mind it, and it seems to help.

I feed my cats canned Friskies (and, VERY occasionally since some have urinary problems, Kirkland dry) and they do very well on it. If you want to give that or Fancy Feast a try, well, I guess it can't hurt at this point!

And, yeah, most cats raised on commercial food don't like raw very much, cooked meat might be more to their taste.

Try frontline drops between shoulder blades may be mite or flea reaction it could not hurt try natural balance cat good wet and dry. Dry has limited ingredients diet as well if needed.