PLEASE HELP!! My cat has been in a cone for over a year and a half!!

number1sticky

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I know this is long but please bear with me. I'm desperate.

It all started when my sister got a cat. She was a feral cat that my sister was able to socialize. They would play but my sister's cat (on accident) would scratch my cat up. Then my cat would lick her wounds until they were raw and bright red. She is completely healed now but when I take it off (to feed her) as soon as she's done she start biting herself to the point she's raw and bright red from her blood. 

I've tried so many things over the past year and a half to get her to stop and I'm at a complete lose. 

I've seen 3 different vets (same vet office) and they all say different things. 

The first one said food allergy (I normally feed her raw). He told me to get her off chicken. I tried evangers pheasant. Completely grain, gluten, byproducts and chicken free and holistic (I use all natural stuff for my babies). Tried that for 3 months and only made it worse. 

The second vey said no it s not a food allergy. She thought maybe fleas. Even though she didn't see any fleas or flea dirt on her. I also have 2 other cats and 1 dog that do not have fleas or scratch at all. I had just gotten the natural flea prevention. So I started that. She also gave me a medicated shampoo to use. Which only matted her fur. 

The third said it's probably psychological (which is what I keep saying). So she put her on an anti anxiety/depression pill. The vet said it would take 4 - 8 weeks to start working. I tried that for about 12 weeks and nothing.

Other stuff I've tried over the past year and a half without any luck: 
Anti-itch spray 
Bach flower
Benadryl
Bitter apple 
Calming collar 
Chicken free diet
Coconut oil 
Feliway
Medicated shampoo
Missing link
Probiotics
Salmon oil 
Thunder shirt 

Probably other stuff that I'm forgetting. 

She's a happy little kitty but I would really like to get her out of her cone. 

Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

jcat

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Have you tried meat other than poultry? In the case of food allergies, you need to start with a unique protein, e.g., kangaroo, goat, rabbit, reindeer or the like, that the cat has never eaten. A cat that's intolerant of chicken might also not be able to eat pheasant, duck or goose.

It's also possible to have food allergy (blood) tests done. Some vets think they're unnecessary or inconclusive, while others swear by them. I've had a lot of luck with them with my own cats and saw how they pinpointed problems several shelter cats (and one shelter dog) had with food intolerance.

:vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

fatfelix

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It would be best to get some lab works done for a more accurate diagnosis. It's a bit pricey though.
 
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number1sticky

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Have you tried meat other than poultry? In the case of food allergies, you need to start with a unique protein, e.g., kangaroo, goat, rabbit, reindeer or the like, that the cat has never eaten. A cat that's intolerant of chicken might also not be able to eat pheasant, duck or goose.

It's also possible to have food allergy (blood) tests done. Some vets think they're unnecessary or inconclusive, while others swear by them. I've had a lot of luck with them with my own cats and saw how they pinpointed problems several shelter cats (and one shelter dog) had with food intolerance.

:vibes::vibes::vibes:
I haven't tried a poultry free diet. The problem is I can't find anything like that that I approve of. I'm extremely picking about my animal's food. I refuse to feed my cats dry food and it's hard to find wet food without any junk in it. I will look around and see what I can find. If not I guess it would be better to lower my standards rather than have my poor Kitty in a cone. :(

I did discuss a blood test for allergies with my vet. But she basically told me that they're not very accurate when it comes to cats so it would be a waste of money. :/

Honestly I don't think it's an allergy. But I'm willing to try anything.
 
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number1sticky

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I did have someone recommend me taking her to a kitty chiropractor. She said judging on where I told her she's itching (right above her tail) she might have a pinched nerve. I'm still waiting to get the schedule for when the chiropractor will be at the pet store so I can take her in and see if that will help.
 

foxden

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I haven't tried a poultry free diet. The problem is I can't find anything like that that I approve of. I'm extremely picking about my animal's food. I refuse to feed my cats dry food and it's hard to find wet food without any junk in it. I will look around and see what I can find. If not I guess it would be better to lower my standards rather than have my poor Kitty in a cone. :(

I did discuss a blood test for allergies with my vet. But she basically told me that they're not very accurate when it comes to cats so it would be a waste of money. :/

Honestly I don't think it's an allergy. But I'm willing to try anything.
I think you should try at least one of the novel protein diets. There is a lot of information in the Cat Nutrition forum herehttp://www.thecatsite.com/f/64/cat-nutrition

A lot of members have had good luck with different brands and different proteins.

I hope you're able to find something to help your kitty
 

catwoman707

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You've tried so many things, all very reasonable too.

However, chewing above the tail is where cats with fleas will chew when they are not fully controlled.

My girl was so sensitive to fleas that if I delayed her flea treatment by even a week she was chewing like mad! A flea would make her obsessively groom too.

Never saw a flea on her through her entire life, but it only would take 1, so she had to be given treatment every month like clockwork her entire life.

If you do try this, get a good one, revolution works well.

It can't hurt, try it once even, after applying it give it 2 days, take the cone off and see if she goes for that area then.

Also, be sure it is put right on her skin, part the fur, I gave half on her neck and the other half above her tail, which you should do too since that's her 'area' that bothers her.
 

lavishsqualor

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I've seen ssri drugs such as Prozac work miracles for cases like this. I think your vet should titrate your cat's dose up.
 
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number1sticky

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I think you should try at least one of the novel protein diets. There is a lot of information in the Cat Nutrition forum herehttp://www.thecatsite.com/f/64/cat-nutrition

A lot of members have had good luck with different brands and different proteins.

I hope you're able to find something to help your kitty
Alright thanks. I'll head to the pet store after work and see what I can find.

You've tried so many things, all very reasonable too.

However, chewing above the tail is where cats with fleas will chew when they are not fully controlled.
My girl was so sensitive to fleas that if I delayed her flea treatment by even a week she was chewing like mad! A flea would make her obsessively groom too.
Never saw a flea on her through her entire life, but it only would take 1, so she had to be given treatment every month like clockwork her entire life.

If you do try this, get a good one, revolution works well.
It can't hurt, try it once even, after applying it give it 2 days, take the cone off and see if she goes for that area then.

Also, be sure it is put right on her skin, part the fur, I gave half on her neck and the other half above her tail, which you should do too since that's her 'area' that bothers her.
The vet did rule out fleas. I do have get on a flea prevention. I use the natural one from sentry.

I also check her and all my other animals weekly thoroughly for fleas and have never found even flea dirt.

I've seen ssri drugs such as Prozac work miracles for cases like this. I think your vet should titrate your cat's dose up.
That is similar to the one the doctor put her on. I don't remember the exact name. I'll look at it when I get home.
 
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number1sticky

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Would lamb be considered a novelty? She's never had it before.
 

denice

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Any protein that your cat hasn't eaten before would be a novel protein.  You want a food that is as close as possible to just meat, liver and necessary supplements.
 

foxden

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I haven't tried a poultry free diet. The problem is I can't find anything like that that I approve of. I'm extremely picking about my animal's food. I refuse to feed my cats dry food and it's hard to find wet food without any junk in it. I will look around and see what I can find. If not I guess it would be better to lower my standards rather than have my poor Kitty in a cone. :(

I did discuss a blood test for allergies with my vet. But she basically told me that they're not very accurate when it comes to cats so it would be a waste of money. :/

Honestly I don't think it's an allergy. But I'm willing to try anything.
I understand not wanting to feed some of the additives that comes in some wet foods. I've always fed Friskies canned to my cats and (maybe just lucky) have had kitties who were reasonably healthy.

I have not needed to feed novel proteins, but I have also learned a lot more about cat foods in the two months that I've been browsing the forums here. I feed Friskies pate foods in a variety of flavors so my cats don't get bored

I believe you need to try a "novel protein" diet for at least 3-4 weeks to determine if your kitty has a food allergy.

Again, there is a lot of good information in the Cat Nutrition forum that discusses different foods that are available as well as the additives that are in each brand
 

cat princesses

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I would find a specialty center in your area and take your cat to an animal dermatologist.  My cat suffered for almost a year with us trying multiple treatments until we finally took her to the dermo.  They did a blood test and it came back that she was allergic to dust mites and storage mites.  We had her on prednisolone for 2 months and also she is now on atopica which is an immune suppressant to calm down her inflammatory response to the dust mites/storage mites.  I would strongly encourage you to find a specialist - they can help you to determine what the root cause is rather than just guessing that it's food.  I at first thought my cat was allergic to something in her food, or the kind of cat litter I was using.   Keep in mind too, what you use to clean your house, your floors, it could be something like that as well.  

Just think when you're super itchy, if someone stopped you from being able to scratch, it's even more annoying that you can't find relief.

Poor baby, I know what you're going thru - it's so hard to watch them be so uncomfortable! 

My girl is like a new cat  - no itching at all, finally at peace.  
 

nevroth

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There is a website that sells all sorts of unique meats for raw feeding. https://hare-today.com/  sells all sorts of animal proteins, whole and ground.

Also, I second what @Cat princesses  said. My best friend's dog was losing her fur and finally after months of trying different things with two different vets, a 3rd vet found the solution which was an overactive immuno response to something in her environment.
 

cat princesses

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I know alot of people are afraid of atopica - it's a scary drug but sometimes, you need to use it.  We always say it's about quality of life and if this is what helps to keep her itch free and happy, you sometimes have to use it for awhile.  Our end goal is allergy injections but those take a good 3-6 months to start working I have been told so once we start that, she will continue to be on the atopica until the shots begin to work.  BTW, the liquid atopica for cats is apparently awful, very bad taste - we are using the dog version which comes in a nice gel capsule, super easy to administer and no yucky taste.  My cat takes her pill daily like a champ with no issues.
 

anankee

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This sounds very similar to one of my cats, who also wore a cone for such a long time

After much investigation it turns out my cat has an allergy to fleas , even one little flea sends him into a frenzy biting and scratching , he rips up his skin and makes himself bleed.

A flea treatment alone was not enough to get him to stop biting . I gave him a strong dose of the spot on flea treatment and at the same time the vet gave him steroids to help relieve the itching and a cone was worn for a few days to allow things to settle.

Once we got him to stop initially we treat for fleas every 2/3 to 3 weeks instead of every 4 weeks and have to be super vigilant with other pets and keeping home flea bombed regularly

I know you said you saw no sign of fleas but neither did I, I guess with allergies it really doesn't take much to set it off

So I have no idea if this is the problem you are having but it just sounded so similar so I thought I'd share my experience with you

Best of luck , I hope you and your kitty both get some relief from this stressful issue!
 
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number1sticky

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Sorry I haven't replied in a while I've been super busy with work.

Just an update I'm taking her to a kitty chiropractic tomorrow. And if that doesn't help I'm going to see a holistic vet and I believe they are also a dermatologist. If not I'll ask if they know of one on the area.

I'm going to probably put her on an all lamb diet. If nothing improved after that.

I will slowly but surely try everything everyone has recommended to me here. :)
 

coffeecat2420

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N number1sticky Any updates? Any progress? How are things going? I have considered that my cat may have a mild form of hyperesthesia ... but we are on a path of ruling out food allergies right now in addition to her receiving injections every 2 weeks for environmental allergens.
 
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