at my wits end - why are my cats itchy?

MnM said:

so glad to see Zyrtec worked for your kitty! Hope he continues to get better. It totally cured one of my cats from itching... fur and everything grew back. Wish it would have helped our other cat though!!

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Thank you.  I hope Mikki gets better too!     

Rabbit is supposed to be good for food allergies (but every cat is different).  Mine are on Royal Canin Duck and Pea.  The dry food may be part of the problem.  It has soy, which is an allergy.  So, I'm working to get him off the dry food.  My girl does not eat the dry food.  They both have IBD.  So, I have to give them a limited ingredient diet.  Check out the rabbit formulas.  There are some good threads here with food suggestions.  

Good luck.  I hope you figure out what's bothering your fur babies.    

Just tried Wellness Duck and she did pretty good on it... we're throwing in some different brands other than FF to get a feel for what she'll eat...then from there...we may start eliminating certain foods.. would love it if she would eat just "one" flavor and kind like duck or rabbit... so we could monitor allergies.

Posting with an update about my kitties.

Brought them to the new vet who has a special interest in skin issues. He did another skin scraping of Lentil (she is the itchiest, and has tons of scabs on her neck) and also took blood work,

Nothing showed on the scrapes but he DID find white blood cells on the outside of her skin..weird. Also raised Eosinophil which either means parasitic or allergy, he said. So, he put her on Clavamox for 2 weeks. 1 ml 2/x a day. On the 10th day, her itching dramatically lessened to the point where I cried happy tears. Her neck was almost back to normal. Today, completely off the meds for 2 days, she is slowly starting to itch more. Hopefully this is another clue....? Any idea?

We also took her completely off the Friskies wet and put her on a single protein and carb food - natures variety instinct rabbit. For a second, I thought the food was causing her itching to disappear, but the timeline doesn't add up. Thundy, my other cat, remains the same.

EDIT: realized I'm repeating myself, but I get a pass because I'm sick!!

It seems like itching can take a long time to stop, even after an allergy has been removed.  My vet told me that a flea allergy can linger.  

It could very well be the food.  A lot of the food manufacturers rotate batches of food so that the "limited ingredient" foods can contain some other residual ingredients.  Some are better than others in avoiding that.  Also, the wet and dry formulas may contain different ingredients.  You could try the canned food (if you have them on dry food).  

I would see if you can keep them on an antihistamine of some sort for a while.  My boy seems to be doing a lot better on the Zyrtec.  He still itches, but it seems to be getting a bit better over time.  

Also, have you looked into Revolution?  It might solve a parasitic issue if there is one.

Just try to be patient.  Itching can take quite a while to get better.  Hang in there!    

How are Lentil and Thundy doing? Have they made any progress?

I hope they're doing better on their new food. :lovegrin:

No progress at all.... ugh.

Forgot to add that Lentil completely stopped itching 10 days into the antibiotics. When the round was done, she itched like crazy again. The vet decided to do another round just to see, but it did nothing this time. Thundi is still on zyrtec and I'm struggling to pill him even with the gun now. I'm just so sad. :/

He won't take Zyrtec crushed up in wet food? Minnie did, and she was a real fussy pants.

Well I have them on a new food elimination diet and its dry...ahh! they wouldn't have a problem with wet. Its been 3 weeks and thundy is still itching on zyrtec. Should I try something else? I feel like theres something in my apt and then only way to test it out is move

I'm so sorry you're still struggling.  I know how frustrating it is to feel like something in your home is causing you or your babies harm.  It's quite unnerving.  Hang in there! 

Lentilsmom said:

Nothing showed on the scrapes but he DID find white blood cells on the outside of her skin..weird. Also raised Eosinophil which either means parasitic or allergy, he said. So, he put her on Clavamox for 2 weeks. 1 ml 2/x a day. On the 10th day, her itching dramatically lessened to the point where I cried happy tears. Her neck was almost back to normal. Today, completely off the meds for 2 days, she is slowly starting to itch more. Hopefully this is another clue....? Any idea?

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I'm not sure, but it sounds like the vet may have prescribed antibiotics for a potential infection.  Cats can get bacterial infections from scratching.  

Check out these articles, which discuss infections from scratching and allergy treatment options:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2141&aid=502

 The lesions they have on their skin can be very small crusts to large areas of oozing red skin. It is very common to get secondary bacterial infections of the skin due to these self-inflicted lesions.

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http://www.2ndchance.info/pawlickCat.htm

Whenever a cat’s skin is abraded, inflamed, or its outer protective coating (stratum corneum) is destroyed by licking, bacteria and fungi (Malassezia) take advantage of the situation. These are called opportunistic infections. They are never the root or underlying cause of the cat’s skin problem. That does not mean they do not need to be treated to allow the cat’s skin to heal and itching to subside. It just means that if the underlying issue is not solved, the problem will return. 

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See also:

http://www.dermatologyforanimals.com/faq-03/

If the Zyrtec is not working, I would call your vet and ask about other treatment options.  Also, you might find another antihistamine that works better than the Zyrtec since every cat is different.  Check with your vet to see what he/she/they recommend.  Also, medications can interact with each other.  So, it's best to check with the vet first.  

Also regarding the food, check this out.  Although it targets IBD, it provides valuable insight into food allergies and guidelines.

http://www.ibdkitties.net/IBDguidelines.html

Try feeding a novel protein like rabbit, lamb, duck or venison; something that your cat isn’t usually exposed to in their diet. These are specially processed to break down the structure of the protein into multiple, tiny particles 
that the immune system will not recognize as an allergen. This is one way of “tricking” the immune response in your cat’s body. Sometimes it’s a specific allergy they have to chicken, beef, egg, etc. It’s a process of 
elimination.

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Also, check out these article regarding food allergies and intolerances:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2141&aid=142

What food did you try?  Even if a food is labeled as hypoallergenic (not sure if yours is labeled hypoallergenic), it may contain something that your bothers your babies. Something that does not bother one cat may bother another.   

Hang in there!  

hi.  My 5 year old tabby had significant balding when i adopted her a few years back.  Through research i figured it might be allergies.  I went through similar food elimination trials, vet brand foods, and even a veterinary allergist!  all this was way expensive, and didn't help much...  She loves Fancy Feast, and was a nightmare to pill.  Having airborne allergies myself, i was both sympathetic, and too cheap / realistic to go for the allergy shots.

I played allergy detective in my apartment in the spring, and made a few changes.  I removed the carpets in the living room, the wool throws (wool can be an allergen for some), kept windows closed and a.c. on, as well as re-stuffing feather filled pillow with synthetic fill.  This helped both of us, and we enjoyed a nice break.  Kenzie's hair has grown back and she seems happier than ever.   

but as the winter months are approaching, we are both getting itchier!  : )     so the allergy detectives have to get back in the game....    I'd love to hear from others if they've found some relief in the fight against itching.  

hi.  

Thank you so much for that post...I will research when I get home from work. We have tried royal canin hydrolyzed protein but it wasn't long enough to see results. Ive been impatient. And my cats got into the trash last night because of my roommate so I need to start the food trial allllll over again! Vet just said I could try a different antihistamine, starts with a c, can get it over the counter. Crossing my fingers. Thank you so much for the support from everyone on here. Means the world to me.

Lentilsmom said:

 
We have tried royal canin hydrolyzed protein but it wasn't long enough to see results. Ive been impatient. And my cats got into the trash last night because of my roommate so I need to start the food trial allllll over again! Vet just said I could try a different antihistamine, starts with a c, can get it over the counter. Crossing my fingers. Thank you so much for the support from everyone on here. Means the world to me.

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Oh no!!! Hang in there!  I hope that the food works and that the different antihistamine helps.  

My cats are on the Royal Canin Duck and Pea.  I'm contemplating switching to the Rabbit and Pea because it reportedly may be better (or possibly may work better my boy) for allergies.  So, that's another possibility to consider if the hydrolyzed protein does not work. My boy is still itching and I'm still not sure if it's related to food, environmental or other medical issues.  

I definitely think it's worth giving the food trial a chance.  I understand that the hydrolyzed protein formula does not have meat, which may be a concern on a long term basis.  Also, I recently learned that canned food is much healthier.  But, I do have a kibble addict and he begs me for kibbles!   ​  I have gotten him to eat a substantial amount of canned food though.  Anyway, some "food for thought." 

Hugs! 

ugh, I know your frustration.
I just bought Mikki vetericyn to spray on her hot spots, and Natural Pet Pharmaceuticals by King Bio "Skin and Itch Control for Cats".
I will let you know! You put a half capfull in their water, or in Mikki's case...in her wet food as she doesn't drink water.

Just read a great article about coconut oil too...rubbing it on their coats...or giving it internally. One of my friends swears by Dinovite...searched it a long time ago..can't remember why I didn't buy it.

Mik and Min love(d) coconut oil...found out by accident when it dropped on the floor...ever since they beg for it. I give Mik a lil spoonful every day but she's been on it for months and it didn't do anything to help her skin. I've heard it really helps to lightly rub it on their coat as well.....

ForrestMeows said:

 
Oh no!!! Hang in there!  I hope that the food works and that the different antihistamine helps.  

My cats are on the Royal Canin Duck and Pea.  I'm contemplating switching to the Rabbit and Pea because it reportedly may be better (or possibly may work better my boy) for allergies.  So, that's another possibility to consider if the hydrolyzed protein does not work. My boy is still itching and I'm still not sure if it's related to food, environmental or other medical issues.  

I definitely think it's worth giving the food trial a chance.  I understand that the hydrolyzed protein formula does not have meat, which may be a concern on a long term basis.  Also, I recently learned that canned food is much healthier.  But, I do have a kibble addict and he begs me for kibbles!  

​  I have gotten him to eat a substantial amount of canned food though.  Anyway, some "food for thought." 

Hugs! 

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thank you very much. My kitties love kibble now too... hoping for the best!!

MnM said:

ugh, I know your frustration.
I just bought Mikki vetericyn to spray on her hot spots, and Natural Pet Pharmaceuticals by King Bio "Skin and Itch Control for Cats".
I will let you know! You put a half capfull in their water, or in Mikki's case...in her wet food as she doesn't drink water.

Just read a great article about coconut oil too...rubbing it on their coats...or giving it internally. One of my friends swears by Dinovite...searched it a long time ago..can't remember why I didn't buy it.

Mik and Min love(d) coconut oil...found out by accident when it dropped on the floor...ever since they beg for it. I give Mik a lil spoonful every day but she's been on it for months and it didn't do anything to help her skin. I've heard it really helps to lightly rub it on their coat as well.....

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Please keep me updated! I will look into the coconut oil as well. Although, I am a little reluctant to give them the coconut oil just because I'm doing the strict food trial.

yes I agree as you want to make sure you know the cause.

There's a medication called Atopica that seems to work really well for cats with severe allergic dermitis. The clinic I worked at would prescribe it when diet change wasn't enough to provide relief. It's pretty expensive but it's worth talking to your vet about if diet change and antihistamines aren't working.

I have heard of atopica and I hope I don't have to resort to it . Will keep trying until all options are exhausted. I'd have to have both cats on it..id have to sell my kidney to afford that, haha!