Sudden allergy onset?

Time line:

July - I notice that Goblin has been scratching at his ears, and has a small abrasion on one of them (presumably due to the scratching). The vet says he has an ear infection (even though he didn't use an otoscope to look or anything), and prescribes drops. The scratching seems to subside, although he still occasionally shakes his head for seemingly no reason.

September - we move into a new apartment. There is no carpet for anything nasty to be lurking in, but there is a couch left over. The previous occupants had dogs, but I have never seen a flea here. Goblin is suddenly very itchy again, and has small bumps on the backs of his ears. He is shedding WAY more than usual, and has vomited up a hairball almost every day this week (he's short haired). He has minor eye and nose discharge.

This sounds like an allergic reaction to me, although he's five years old and has never had allergy problems before. I can't decide if this is a product of the new apartment, or if the problem started back in July with the ear infection. He has had no changes in food or litter, and is strictly indoor with no contact with other animals. He doesn't act sick. He is eating and drinking perfectly fine, plays just as often (more so, actually, since this apartment is bigger and he has a lot more room to run. He really seems to love it!), and is just as affectionate as always.

Does anyone have experience with allergies developing later in life? Does this even sound like allergies? Any advice on how to begin identifying the problem? Can I give him benadryl, and would that even possibly help?

I'm looking for a new vet right now since his regular one retired and I haven't found anyone else that fits with us. I did buy him some grain free food tonight to begin facilitating a diet change, but that's going to be an uphill battle as he won't even look at anything that isn't Friskies (blech.)

Sorry for rambling! I'm just very concerned about my baby. [emoji]128533[/emoji] Any and all advice/opinions/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

It only takes ONE flea bite to cause some major issues if your cat is allergic to fleas.  But it could be just about anything...could even be something in the fabric of the couch.

But, in answer to your question, yes, you can give him benedryl just to see if it works.  Then, if it helps, you might discuss with your Vet something that you might give on a daily basis other than benedryl.  Some people give Zyrtec, some claritin, etc. 

Here's a thread on benedryl dosages:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/176902/benadryl-dosage

OH, and it could be food.  Cats can develop allergies to foods after eating them for many years.  Figures

Thank you! Goblin and I saw a wonderful new vet today. He gave him a shot of depo medrol, but was very up front about risk and side effects, and warned that we should probably try to make it a one time thing. The mission now is to identify the allergen. We found a grain free food that he likes, which is already seeming to make a difference, as he hasn't thrown up at all since the switch. Also, an unscented litter. So, we are crossing our fingers and paws!

Keep us posted on his progress.  Yes, there can be risks to long term use of some drugs, but sometimes if that's the only thing that gives them relief, it may be worth it.  Not saying this is the case with Goblin, but if it is, if might be worth using the Depo to give him a good quality of life NOW. 

Hopefully you'll be able to identify the culprit and that will put an end to his issues. 

Well, he liked his grain free good for two days. Now he stares at it in animosity, flicks his tail, and leaves. He probably realized I was happy that he was eating it. [emoji]128517[/emoji]

He's not showing any side effects from the depo thus far. I don't think the sudden shunning of his food has anything to do with a decrease in appetite, as he will sometimes return to his dish and lick the gravy off of it. I guess I'm back to trying to find something he'll eat.

He's still digging at his ears occasionally, but the rash on his ears/head seems to be improving. We're getting rid of the leftover couch this weekend, and then I'd like to do some deep cleaning of the apartment to try and get rid of any dog dander/dust/etc. I don't want to use any chemical products, though, for fear of exacerbating the allergy. Will diluted vinegar work well for this?

Thanks for the responses!

Just google "natural home made cleaners" and you'll get all kinds of home made cleaning products you can "whip up".  Depending on which area of the house you're cleaning, vinegar, baking soda, lemons, etc. dawn dish soap and a combination thereof usually do the trick.  Sometimes hydrogen peroxide too. 

Did you try the benedryl or other allergy medicine?  What happened with that idea?

Also, just what food is he eating?  grain free isn't necessarily the trick.  Are you going to do food trials?  Is there fish in the food?  soy?  There are many limited ingredient foods out there that might be better to try than simply "grain free".