Possible allergic reaction? Please help

Hi, my name is Kassie and I'm new to TheCatSite. A few weeks ago, I noticed that my three year-old Bear had extremely red ears, he was grooming and scratching a lot more than normal, and he had started licking the carpet. Called the vet, who had us in for an appointment. She said that he was most likely having an allergic reaction, and licking the carpet was a way of venting his frustration. She took a skin scraping as well, to see if there were any mites or fleas, which came back negative. He got a dose of Paradyne to kill any unseen pests that had been missed, as well as a shot of cortisone. Vet said the cortisone shot should take effect in 24 hrs and get rid of the red, itchy skin and swollen ears.  Unfortunately it didn't help at all, just made him nauseas and made him lose his appetite. I got him some antihistamines after a second call to the vet to give him some relief before our appointment the next day. No help from those, either. At our second appointment, he got blood and urine drawn to get tests done, as well as some anti-nausea meds. We got the test results a few days later; both tests came back just fine. The anti-nausea meds have given him back his appetite, but he's still all red and itchy :/ I called the vet and left a message giving them an update, but obviously I won't hear back today since it is Easter. I was wondering if anybody has had a similar experience, or possibly any advice? I feel so helpless, and I hate seeing my kiddo so uncomfortable

I forgot to mention that my other cat, Fitz, is unaffected by whatever is bothering his brother and purrrfectly happy. 

Have you changed food or litter brands?  Have you applied anything to your carpets or used anything new to clean your floors?  What are you feeding him?  Definitely sounds like an allergic response to something in his environment.

There aren't any mites or anything abnormal in his ears right?   I am thinking its possibly a food allergy or mites but if it were mites, I'd imagine the Vet would have seen them.

No mites, and I'm currently trying some new foods with no results. 

Did you notice the redness and itching before or after you introduced the new foods?

The only thing I do to clean is vacuum. They were being fed Earthborn Wild Sea Catch. The new food I've been trying is Fromm's rabbit/duck. Now I'm thinking it could possibly be the litter but I'm not entirely sure, it seems with his symptoms that it's more of a food allergy issue. 

The only reason I've tried the new foods is because of this whole incident   

Some kitties cannot tolerate fish very well.  Have you tried a limited ingredient food like Nature's Balance duck and pea?  Or a food with just one protein like chicken?

Did you change litter recently?  It could be litter if the litter is dusty.  When they dig in the box, the dust goes everywhere.  Have you tried a plant based litter like World's Best or even the walnut based litter from Blue?

stephanietx said:

 
Some kitties cannot tolerate fish very well.  Have you tried a limited ingredient food like Nature's Balance duck and pea?  Or a food with just one protein like chicken?

Did you change litter recently?  It could be litter if the litter is dusty.  When they dig in the box, the dust goes everywhere.  Have you tried a plant based litter like World's Best or even the walnut based litter from Blue?

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I just switched to a limited ingredient food today actually, it's Nature's Variety Instincts Turkey Meal. I've had the same litter since September, World's Best Multiple Cat formula.

If he's still uncomfortable and itchy, I'd ask the vet for a steroid to calm down the inflammation.  Also, keep him on a daily antihistamine until he's over this flare and you get his diet regulated so it's not causing the itchiness.

Unfortunately he's already had a steroid injection and antihistamines, both which have had no effect. I spoke to the vet today, she's emailing me some recommendations for a dermatologist. We also have to get a fungal test done to make sure it's not a fungal infection of some sort. 

Is he any better?

Unfortunately not :/ Had a call from the vet today, we're going to test for fungal infection and he also needs to go see a dermatologist. In the meantime, she said we'll keep him on the limited ingredient food and see if it produces changes in a week. Bear is at least still acting like himself for the most part, so I'm trying not to worry too much. But it can't be fun to be so itchy all the time. 

Just a little update, Bear has visited the dermatologist! It's either seasonal allergies or food allergies. Because of the time of onset, we can't really be sure. The boys are now being introduced to Royal Canin Rabbit Diet, as recommended by the dermatologist, and Bear also has topical ear drops. It won't be for another 3 to 6 months that we really pinpoint what's happening, but I wanted to say thank you to those who posted and imparted their wisdom! 

My guy is on a rabbit diet. 

He is very finicky. He will eat the Pride rabbit which has rabbit and pork.. but some veggies in it. He loves it.

He will sometimes eat the Nature's Variety Rabbit. It has pork also, but not any veggies. 

He will sometimes lick a bit of Wild Calling Rabbit..it is pure rabbit. 

The RC Rabbit diet food, was great for a few weeks with him. Now he is turning up his nose at it. I add some water to it, to make it like a gruel, instead of the paste that it is...

Good Luck....

sending you all well