Cat allergy...

Ugh.  So after 2 weeks of crystals in his bladder, then cystotomy, it looks like my cat Tripper now has allergies.  This is pretty much the same thing that occurred during his last bout of cystitis 3 years ago.  I can't figure out why he suddenly has allergies, just like it did 3 years ago.  If he was allergic to the change in food, wouldn't it have occurred earlier?  The s/d food was started 2 weeks ago.  

I just wish I can do something for him now?  He's completely uncomfortable and grooming himself nonstop.    

I'll call my vet tomorrow, but I get the feeling they're going to give him the steroids shot again, which will cause his crystals to shed more, and cause him pain, which meant more weeks of pain meds.  It just seems this is following the same course as last time.  What of his procedures so far would cause the allergies??  Just so strange.  

I don't suppose hydrocortisone cream is ok for cats?  

- Grace

aww... I'm sorry... the unknown allergy is the worst! We battle it as well with our Mikki...she gets scabs on her back. Has your cat broken out in scabs?

Have you tried taking him off food with grain and chicken? Of all the cats that have been through the rescue I work with that have allergies, it is almost always 1 or both of those things. We had one recently that had lost most of his hair and was peeing blood. Chicken & grain allergy. He came from a hoarding situation and the vet things that the allergy likely had always been there but was made much worse due to the HUGE amount of stress he was under in the home & how sick he was when he was rescued. He now is on a duck & fish based grain free diet and his hair has regrown, no blood in his urine. I really don't have a ton of experience with cats with allergies, as none of my personal cats have them, but just wanted to share this.

Hi, thanks for the responses!  

No scabs, just pinkness around his eyes, red spots above his eyes from scratching, nonstop grooming and more irritated than usual.  I just could tell he is really uncomfortable.    It just started today it seems?  

Unfortunately, I can't take him off the s/d food now since he needs it to help break down the struvite crystals in his bladder now.  He's still getting well and not quite there yet.  

The last time he went through this, the vet gave him a depo medrol shot.  He was better after, but in a day or two, he was going insane each time he peed.  Apparently the steroids sloughed off some of the crystals lining his bladder and was causing considerable pain when he pees.  I'm wondering if he can take something milder this time.  I don't want him to go through that again, if possible.  

You know, of all the cats.. he's the most brash and confident, which really surprises me he has such issues.  But he also has anxiety, which is probably the origin of his urinary issues.  

Also, with last time's last minute surgical emergency, it worries me that one day he may need bigger procedures done.  He gets extremely hostile and violent when at the vet.  On regular visits, they always need to sedate him.  Do any of you guys have cats like this, and what worked for you?  I did ask my regular vet, she says it would be really tricky and probably will require a lot of sedation.  The emergency vet literally had me take him home after the procedure since he would be too stressed to handle being hospitalized.  While I did my best to care for him, I was petrified the first 2 days.  He looked so awful after the surgery, it felt as though he should be under their care and watch.  It's just worrying.  

Thoughts?

- Grace

Have you asked a vet about his itchiness? It's nothing to do with any type of meds is it?
Both Mikki and Minnie were itchy but Min had the patterened baldness on her tummy and hind legs.... Mikki has the scabs. I put them both on Zyrtec and it totally cured Minnie...but not Mikki.... so we took her off of it, so I'm thinking hers might be from food. Min's fur all grew back.. however she or Mikki didn't have any other issues at the time...maybe with your kitty's condition an antihistimine isn't possible.

And, by this morning, it all cleared up.  No more redness, nothing!  I think it was contact dermatitis from some substance on my jeans last night (he was rubbing all over it).  I doublechecked with my vet this morning and they didn't feel he need to be seen.  But PHEW!  It was so worrying to see him that uncomfortable.  I work in IT, so going down under desks and whatnot is part of my day, so possibly my pants got into contact with something he was allergic to?  Huh.

wow...that's great!

Great that he is better! I wanted to let you know about those 'calming treats' they have on Amazon, it made a tremendous difference on my cats behavior at the vets, he was so laid back I kept looking at him, thinking he was trying to fool us. Of course look them up and then check with your vet, but they are natural herbs. I only give one, it said more could be given. It sure worked on his hostile behavior! Good luck!