Allergy Struggles

Hi, I just joined theCatSite.com because i have been reading it for forever and decided to try this out. I'm sure many stories have involved cat allergies, but I am getting close to my wits end (and running out of money fast). I have a black 8-9 year old domestic shorthair (shelter special) named Magic who was the picture of health for 6 years before this May. I moved to South Carolina from Wisconsin last October for my job, and am stuck here for another 1.5 years. Magic started developing ripply skin and itching on his face (ears and eyes in particular) right away, but it settled down quickly in the winter. I at first figured it was the new place (stress) and new allergens (SC is well known for their allergens). I took him to the vet early November 2014, and they gave me oral pred because he had been bitten by a spider (he likes to bring me cockroach and spider presents a lot). That cleared up and then around May 2015, he has been constantly itching to the point of scabby, bloody messes all over his face. 

I have tried a boat load of products for his itching. When I first got him, he had GI problems, so he has always been on LID food (figured it was a food allergy). He did great on Natural Balance alpha cat, Natural Balance chicken or duck with peas, or Nature's Variety LID rabbit or turkeys formula (mix of dry and wet). I used to give him salmon (I make it a lot) when I first got him, but he always got GI problems, so I figured he was allergic to fish. Fast forward to May this year, and he is beside himself itching. I have given him Yucca (it worked before when he had minor itchiness from the dry air in Wisconsin where we lived), coconut oil, various omega 3/6 supplements (with and without fish oil), and Jackson Galaxy's essences. I was concerned that the ripply skin was hyperesthesia, but nothing made a difference. I finally caved and went to the vet, and they gave him oral pred again and it worked well for the first month. The symptoms came right back, and he itched another spot on his face. I reluctantly got more pred, but it was not effective. He basically lived in his plastic cone during this time. Finally, in October I got him a depo shot because I had to leave for work, and he was being babysat. The depo of course worked wonders, but I don't want to give him more steroids. I have a lot of allergies myself and don't trust them for me. 

I ended up switching vets because we weren't really getting anywhere. They basically suggested depo again, and they didn't know Atopica could be used in cats. I live in a rural SC town, so most vets are equine or huntin' dog specialists. I drove an hour to another vet who is more of a dermatologist, and I liked her. However, she gave me an omega 3/6 supplement that contains fish oil because I "did not do a true food trial". I understand this, but his allergies have ramped up since going on that supplement. Tonight he itched above his eye until it bled. His food has not changed, I freeze his dry food to prevent storage mites, clean everything, flea treat, stainless steel bowls, etc etc. Nothing is getting better. He remains in the cone unfortunately. Tonight, I took it off to feed him, and he itched a bloody mess on his face within 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I had to give him Benadryl tonight to help him sleep. 

I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that it will get better. I just moved across the country and graduated from grad school, so I cannot afford allergy tests. The vet visits since May have cost me more than $2,500. I adopted him because he was going to be euthansized at a high kill shelter (hoarder case), but I hate it that he's miserable. Depo is so tempting, for 4 weeks, I had my cat back and he was out of the cone. I basically get to look forward to months and months of food trials and other things that probably won't work. Also, I understand that raw diets are great, but they are not entirely feasible for me. I tried some commercial raw diets, and Magic hated them. If any one has any advice, I'm all ears. I'm frustrated with vets at this point, the nearest holistic vet is 3 hours away and Magic has panic attacks in the car. 

Sorry for the sob story, but really, the only thing that has given him any relief are steroids (*sigh*) and Zyrtec/Benadryl. I am interested in Atopica as I really am desperate for remission. No one can take him, and there's no way he can go anywhere because he's horribly aggressive with other animals (especially cats due to hoarding emotional scars). 

Thanks,

Liz

Hi Liz,

I'm probably not a lot of help but wanted to say I'm right there with you!

I too have an itchy cat. Started around age 1. He's almost 2 now and we've not found much relief for him. He does scratch a little but mostly he overgrooms and will get so itchy he can't do anything without being distracted and having to lick. Even walking it will be step, lick, lick step lick lick. It's so hard to watch.

We have seen 3 different vets for the problem. Each had a different approach.

Some vets advise regular doses of antihistamines. We tried Ipramine, Zyrtec and Claratyne but none had any effect on our boy. Does the benadryl help him when you give it to him?

With food allergies, cats can and do develop them later in life. More so than being born allergic, they will become allergic, especially if fed a single type of protein source their whole lives.

I do empathize with you. We haven't done a full elimination diet yet either. Raw, for the same reason as you, Jasper just won't eat it on a regular basis, we have tried to cut out fish and soy and fed only chicken however there was no improvement and I did try a venison canned diet but again he wouldn't eat it. We are facing a full elimination diet with a prescription pet food also.

At the moment the only thing that helps my boy is 5mg of prednil every single day. If we drop it down to every 2nd day the itching comes back. We also flea treat every 3 weeks (actually that's another thing, has flea allergy dermatitis been ruled out if you've moved to an area that is more prone to fleas? We had to treat every fortnight without fail for 3 months straight to rule it out and I'm still not sure it doesn't contribute). He is also on clomicalm (an antidepressant anti anxiety medication) because some of it is habit/stress related due to the itching and if I skip either the overgrooming comes back within days. It's possibly important to also rule out a habit/stress issue.

I have read about Atopica. It is hideously expensive however and isn't without side effects. My reading says worse than the long term side effects of oral steroids. Honestly, if it were me, I would tackle the full elimination diet first even if it's difficult. 12 weeks of a hypoallergenic food and you'll at least know it's not food related and the vet might be willing to talk about other options.

In the long run, for us, it's worth the long term side effects. I would rather Jasper have a happy shorter life than a longer one where he's totally miserable.

I wish you luck!

 I think a complete blood test for allergies cost me around $400, and that was doing all of the optional "exotic" allergens. Armed with the results from that, I found an appropriate diet for Mr Squiggles and was able to reduce his medications to nothing but 5-10mg/day of cetirizine during allergy season. Before we had the test results, he starting refusing to eat, his immune system overloaded, and we found him completely unresponsive on the basement floor one night. 

Turns out he's allergic to feathers, kapok, green beans, peas, squash, pumpkin, eggs, wheat, grasses of all kinds, burdock, goldenrod, pine....etc. It was a massive list.

I feel like you're currently wandering in the dark, hoping to hit something that will help. You need to know where to go by getting some conclusive information, be it by an allergy test or a true elimination diet, whatever you choose. Otherwise what will you do? Keep your kitty in a cone all the time, give him steroids, or let him be extremely itchy?

Some other things that helped Mr Squiggles were tossing our feather pillows, getting a HEPA air filter (found it free on Craigslist), steaming him in the bathroom when we shower, and wiping down his fur daily.

Does a university near you have a veterinary school? They are more expensive but so much more knowledgeable. 

I will admit I was emotional last night from the allergic attack, and didn't sound like I have actually tried elimination stuff already. Sorry about the sob story about money troubles, we all have them, and certainly I will live in the most hypoallergenic box if that's what it takes to help him. He'd do the same for me (well, purrs and headbutts are the same I suppose). 

So, I have many seasonal allergies and a severe allergy to mold, so many of the preventative measures are already in place due to me (e.g., HEPA filters, no carpets, upholstery cleaning without chemicals, humidifiers in multiple rooms). I sometimes forget that not everyone has to be psychotic about environmental allergies, so I failed to mention all of that.  I don't live close to a vet school (3 hours away is the closest in Athens, GA). He also has never had grain food or litters where mold can grow (i.e., corn) or pine (again due to my allergies). Unfortunately, the humidity down here is insane, and I am currently on allergy shots myself (so giving them to him isn't a big deal if it came to that). 

I was finally referred to a veterinary dermatologist last week (this is actually the 4th vet I have seen since May). I was unsatisfied with my previous vets  because usually, they either would immediately give him a shot, push royal canin on him that caused horrible bloody, impressionist paintings in his litterbox, or recommend fatty acid supplements. While these certainly are effective for some cats, the three previous vets usually said I was not doing it right or giving him treats on the side (which he never gets). This current vet seems great, I guess I just lost it because I thought with all I have done, we're getting to the bottom of it soon, then suddenly he goes back to square one. 

Here's more general information on what we have tried (given, I did not try these things simultaneously as I am trying to eliminate causes one by one to isolate it). 

- Tested for mites, ringworm, and yeast repeatedly (all bald spots and inside ears were tested). He has also had full blood work looking for hormonal problems (e.g., thyroid, low T, etc). All was was negative for any problems. I religiously clean out his ears (he had a severe yeast infection when I first adopted him), no waxy buildup or black flecks either. 

- Omega 3/6 fatty acid supplements, this was the first try in addition to depo shot 4 weeks prior to starting the supplements (shot in late May, supplements: July-August). The first vet thought he had fleas (doesn't, been testing many times, and I had an exterminator come in and check throughout the house) or was residual from the spider bite. He is on anti-flea preventative, and no vet has found any evidence of fleas on him. He loves the furminator, so I regularly brush him with white paper underneath. No flea dirt ever found. While it is still possible, I am confident it is not flea dermatitis (so is the vet, yay one down!). 

Unfortunately, he has a food sensitivity to fish, but the first and second vets insisted fish oil would be fine. That was 5 weeks before we decided it was not helping, instead he got diarrhea (albeit not as severe as before) and itchy, watery eyes. I switched vets because basically, they thought I didn't know what a food sensitivity (or allergy) was. I was repeatedly accused of giving him treats and "forgetting" about it because I work long hours. (Yeah...I switched vets during those 5 weeks due to that comment)

- Switched to another LID food (12 weeks ago, so late September-ish after another depo shot in late August) that has a novel protein (rabbit). He has always been fed poultry (chicken, duck, and turkey on rotation). He used to be fed Nature's Variety LID turkey, Natural Balance alpha cat (now discontinued) or Natural Balance LID duck/pea on rotation plus nature's variety LID turkey wet food (majority of his diet up until food switch, but this started only about 3 years ago). I started him on dry only back when I got him, but added wet because I know it's better. Now his diet is 75% wet, 25% dry. I basically put dry food in puzzle toys that I make to entertain him while I'm gone during the day. Due to said fish sensitivity (or allergy, never tested to see which), he has never received any fish-based product (oil or meal) in food until the Omega 3/6 supplement back in July.  All other supplements were stopped during the food elimination period (coconut oil and omega 3/6). As the symptoms have not resolved in the 12 weeks, we plan on switching to another food because the vet thinks it may be an additive in the food or environmental allergies. 

- Freezing his dry food when I first buy it to prevent storage mites, and discarding the food after 4 weeks. This was performed with the food change. Freezing kills the mites, so at least they can't breed.

- Zyrtec (generic Wal-Zyr from Walgreens, cut in 1/4s or 1/2 if itching is bad) or Benandryl (1/4 to 1/3 of the pill) to help him sleep if the itching is really bad. Zyrtec seems to help with the itching, the Benandryl doesn't really except if I need him to get through the night to go to the vet. 

- Stress reduction techniques including low dose medication to see if it was psychological. My entire place is a cat gym, he has puzzle toys (I make them myself about once every 2 weeks when he gets bored, toy rotations, and plenty of trees. He doesn't really act stressed all the time, and the anti-depressant really didn't help the scratching. I use Jackson Galaxy's essences obsession remedy and have the plugin pheromones around the house from when we first arrived. He had symptoms of hyperesthesia (ripply back), but the ripply back symptoms have largely resolved except in cases of extreme allergy symptoms. 

He is completely indoor, but never was jazzed about outside. He is a super lover cat who really just wants someone there with him. I could probably leave the door open all day and he wouldn't care as long as I remained with him. I used to take him on "walks" outside on a leash, but really, he would just sit in my lap and purr outside. Often, he jumped on my shoulder and I would tote him around. 

I did try raw food in the past (freeze-dried kind), he turned his nose up at it, and his GI problems resolved with me changing him off of his initial diet of Science Diet (what the shelter fed him) and Royal Canin (what vet gave due to GI problems back in Milwaukee). I try to give him as much wet food as possible, and the weirdo loves water if I put two drops of coconut oil in it (he has missed it the last 12 weeks). He never has been bad about drinking water (actually loves it, gets in the shower with me in the morning and drinks it while it falls on him). Thank you all with the responses, I will upload pictures some time when he actually looks better. Funny thing is, except for the allergy attacks like last night, he actually doesn't loathe the cone (relatively speaking of course...), he still plays, purrs, talks, and runs around. 

I have a vet appointment tomorrow with the dermatologist, so will update. I am definitely going to pursue allergy testing if I can afford them. The dermatologist seemed open to a payment plan when I talked with him, so we'll see. Ramen noodles may become a more prominent food item in my diet, but I know it will get better. Talking about it helps I think.  Thank you again, and again sorry for the book of a post. I apparently get very talkative about him. 

WOW!  I commend you for all you're doing to help your kitty.  I really hope the vet dermatologist can help you.  My only other suggestion would be to check his litter.  Have you changed brands?  Sometimes that will cause allergic reactions.

Well, I went to the dermatologist, and I feel a lot better about things. He was prescribed Atopica and given a depo shot (I know I know...). He is likely allergic to fish given the extreme reaction he had to the fish oil supplement originally, but the dermatologist believes his other symptoms are not due to a food allergy. He did recommend I try to incorporate more raw ingredients into his diet, but feeding raw is tough financially combined with Atopica. I am working on transitioning him, but so far, he has been difficult. I'll keep trying. 

As for allergy testing, the dermatologist actually said it would be silly to do allergy tests on him when I do not permanently live here. I will be moving back up north in a little over a year (my position is for 2 years), so by the time allergy shots are developed and administered, I will be moving again. She said it would be a better course of action to get his allergies under control now, and then if it continues when I have a permanent job (I am in academia, so haven't gotten a permanent job yet), then get the tests. From him symptoms, she was pretty convinced he has environmental allergies because the ripply skin when I first moved down here was likely also allergies.  Furthermore, the allergic symptoms subsided last winter until April-May and resurged. It has been unseasonably warm here, so much of the pollen is still around (as evidenced by my allergies). 

Thank you for all the feedback, hopefully the Atopica will help. I ordered some gel caps because Magic is pretty used to pills (antihistimines and supplements), but wasn't jazzed when I gave him the liquid. No GI issues or foaming, but only once so far at least. He is also getting a non-fish based supplement called HealX booster. The dermatologist said he has had luck giving HealX to severely allergic cats because it doesn't contain much and doesn't contain fish. I am cautiously optimistic because she seemed pretty hopeful. He's currently feeling better due to the depo shot, but here's hoping it is the last one he'll get in a really long time. 

My cat is the same way.  I would go ahead and do the allergy shots and not bother with the Atopica.  The problem with Atopica is that it vastly increases the risk for cancer and it is expensive.  Atopica is good for a temporary fix only. But I would not keep my pet on it long term.  I think even steroids are safer than Atopica.

The reason you do allergy shots is because once a cat is allergic, he will probably stay allergic for life.  The allergy panel (of things they test for) may not be that different between N. Carolina and Wisconsin.  My cat only tested allergic to 2 things: Dust mites and Ragweed.  Dust mites are everywhere in your environment. In the carpets, in your pillow, bedding, in the curtains. Pretty much any piece of fabric is home to dust mites.  Short of putting him in a bubble there is no way to escape exposure.

The shots are not that expensive. The inital cost is the biggest. Around here for skin testing and customized shots it is $1000 up front (for sedation, skin prick testing, and the first set of shots). But the university here charges like $240 just to see a specialist.

I think it is $80 a year for buying the shots after that (which is very reasonable).

Skin testing is much cheaper ($200) but some say it is not accurate at all.

To look at it another way, if you have to put him on Atopica, how long will that last before you have spent $1000?  How much will 2 years of Atopica cost?

lizmagic said:

Hi, I just joined theCatSite.com because i have been reading it for forever and decided to try this out. I'm sure many stories have involved cat allergies, but I am getting close to my wits end (and running out of money fast). I have a black 8-9 year old domestic shorthair (shelter special) named Magic who was the picture of health for 6 years before this May. I moved to South Carolina from Wisconsin last October for my job, and am stuck here for another 1.5 years. Magic started developing ripply skin and itching on his face (ears and eyes in particular) right away, but it settled down quickly in the winter. I at first figured it was the new place (stress) and new allergens (SC is well known for their allergens). I took him to the vet early November 2014, and they gave me oral pred because he had been bitten by a spider (he likes to bring me cockroach and spider presents a lot). That cleared up and then around May 2015, he has been constantly itching to the point of scabby, bloody messes all over his face.

I have tried a boat load of products for his itching. When I first got him, he had GI problems, so he has always been on LID food (figured it was a food allergy). He did great on Natural Balance alpha cat, Natural Balance chicken or duck with peas, or Nature's Variety LID rabbit or turkeys formula (mix of dry and wet). I used to give him salmon (I make it a lot) when I first got him, but he always got GI problems, so I figured he was allergic to fish. Fast forward to May this year, and he is beside himself itching. I have given him Yucca (it worked before when he had minor itchiness from the dry air in Wisconsin where we lived), coconut oil, various omega 3/6 supplements (with and without fish oil), and Jackson Galaxy's essences. I was concerned that the ripply skin was hyperesthesia, but nothing made a difference. I finally caved and went to the vet, and they gave him oral pred again and it worked well for the first month. The symptoms came right back, and he itched another spot on his face. I reluctantly got more pred, but it was not effective. He basically lived in his plastic cone during this time. Finally, in October I got him a depo shot because I had to leave for work, and he was being babysat. The depo of course worked wonders, but I don't want to give him more steroids. I have a lot of allergies myself and don't trust them for me.

I ended up switching vets because we weren't really getting anywhere. They basically suggested depo again, and they didn't know Atopica could be used in cats. I live in a rural SC town, so most vets are equine or huntin' dog specialists. I drove an hour to another vet who is more of a dermatologist, and I liked her. However, she gave me an omega 3/6 supplement that contains fish oil because I "did not do a true food trial". I understand this, but his allergies have ramped up since going on that supplement. Tonight he itched above his eye until it bled. His food has not changed, I freeze his dry food to prevent storage mites, clean everything, flea treat, stainless steel bowls, etc etc. Nothing is getting better. He remains in the cone unfortunately. Tonight, I took it off to feed him, and he itched a bloody mess on his face within 30 seconds. Unfortunately, I had to give him Benadryl tonight to help him sleep.

I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that it will get better. I just moved across the country and graduated from grad school, so I cannot afford allergy tests. The vet visits since May have cost me more than $2,500. I adopted him because he was going to be euthansized at a high kill shelter (hoarder case), but I hate it that he's miserable. Depo is so tempting, for 4 weeks, I had my cat back and he was out of the cone. I basically get to look forward to months and months of food trials and other things that probably won't work. Also, I understand that raw diets are great, but they are not entirely feasible for me. I tried some commercial raw diets, and Magic hated them. If any one has any advice, I'm all ears. I'm frustrated with vets at this point, the nearest holistic vet is 3 hours away and Magic has panic attacks in the car.

Sorry for the sob story, but really, the only thing that has given him any relief are steroids (*sigh*) and Zyrtec/Benadryl. I am interested in Atopica as I really am desperate for remission. No one can take him, and there's no way he can go anywhere because he's horribly aggressive with other animals (especially cats due to hoarding emotional scars).

Thanks,

Liz

Click to expand...

Hi I realize this post is very old but I was wondering if you had ever found relief for your kitty? Did the atopica help?

thank you!