Please help - Older cat skin problems

sbever · Oct 28, 2005

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping someone in this forum can help me. My cat is older about 8 years old. Over the past year he has developed a skin condition where he constantly licks and PULLS out his fur making sores. I've taken him to the vet a couple times and they have given him cortisone shots costing $50 each time. I'm a single parent and cannot afford the shots monthly to keep him from ripping his hair out. Are there any alternatives? Does anyone know if those injections can be purchased and given at home?

Chester (my cat) and I thank you very much!

kumbulu · Oct 28, 2005

Hi and welcome to TCS.

Is his skin condition medical or psychological? It sounds medical if the cortisone shots are working but there may be a psychological component. In that case, you need to reduce his stress levels if you can. I'd suggest getting a Feliway plug-in http://www.catsplay.com/feliway.php3 to help calm him. You can also try using a Bach Flower Remedy http://www.catfaeries.com/essences.html .

kumbulu · Oct 28, 2005

Just to add, you may have to have him in a e-collar for a week or two to let the skin heal and see if he stops when the collar is taken off. A soft e-collar would be ideal http://www.bonafido.com/page6.html

sbever · Oct 28, 2005

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

Hi and welcome to TCS.

Is his skin condition medical or psychological? It sounds medical if the cortisone shots are working but there may be a psychological component. In that case, you need to reduce his stress levels if you can. I'd suggest getting a Feliway plug-in http://www.catsplay.com/feliway.php3 to help calm him. You can also try using a Bach Flower Remedy http://www.catfaeries.com/essences.html .

I think the cortisone shot works but I don't have the money to continue monthly shots. I know with owning a pet comes the responsibility of caring for it but he came with me in the divorce and since then I've been struggling. I'm sure no one would take him if I gave him to them and the boys and i don't want him to go away

I'm not being fair to him!

lotsocats · Oct 28, 2005

Hello!

I moved your thread to the Health and Nutrition Forum where the health experts will be more likely to see it.

sbever · Oct 28, 2005

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

forthefurballs · Oct 28, 2005

Cortisone seems to be the default treatment for all types sof itchy skin. Does the vet know what the real cause is? If you can figure out if it's psychological or allergy or something else then there's a good chance to find a better treatment. ( Besides the expense, long term use of steriods has a health risk). One of my cats had a seasonal allergy and she only needed one or two cortisone shots to get through late summer/early fall, the rest of the year she was fine. If it's an allergy then you may be able to treat with antihistamines or, even better, eliminate the cause of the allergy. If it's stress, try to reduce stress and try Feliway.

momofmany · Oct 28, 2005

Cortisone shots address the symptoms and not the cause. I've had a lot of allergy babies over the years and finding the root cause, if that is what it is, takes a lot of trial and error on your part. When did this start and what changed at that time? Did you move? Change foods? Change laundry detergents? Get a new rug? New bedding?

I've had pets allergic to wool rugs, food, fleas, detergents, and one cat that was allergic to dogs. Anything can trigger it and you should start looking at the environment and start swapping things. You have to wait a while after a change to see if it has an impact.

If it is stress related, again, what changed in your life? You mentioned a recent divorce. Is the cat stressed by its new home, or was he close to your ex? Feliway is a possible solution (also pricey) but also a lot of extra attention and love.

sharky · Oct 28, 2005

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Cortisone shots address the symptoms and not the cause. I've had a lot of allergy babies over the years and finding the root cause, if that is what it is, takes a lot of trial and error on your part. When did this start and what changed at that time? Did you move? Change foods? Change laundry detergents? Get a new rug? New bedding?

I've had pets allergic to wool rugs, food, fleas, detergents, and one cat that was allergic to dogs. Anything can trigger it and you should start looking at the environment and start swapping things. You have to wait a while after a change to see if it has an impact.

If it is stress related, again, what changed in your life? You mentioned a recent divorce. Is the cat stressed by its new home, or was he close to your ex? Feliway is a possible solution (also pricey) but also a lot of extra attention and love.

All of that above ... You may want to try rescue rememdy from you health food store to clam the kitty a bit ... what is the current food and how long has kitty been eating it ??? Have you gotten a senior panel to rule out senior issues>> yes it cost s but far less over the shots in the long run...

jo scott · Nov 8, 2005

Hi, Im training at the moment to be a Bach Flower Practitioner, I also have a cat who is getting quite good at fur pulling (he has now got a lovely bald patch on his back end)! We have discovered that he does this when he is stressed (I have also been told that skin problems come from stress) we can see paterns when we have a visit from a feral, visit to the vets etc. I make him up a bottle of remedy and this usually stops quickly. Its worth looking at as its also cheaper than a visit to the vets, less stressful and is harmless (it can only work). You can either see an Animal practitioner to get information and you can also treat your cat yourself. I really does work.

Please help - Older cat skin problems

sbever

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kumbulu

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kumbulu

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sbever

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lotsocats

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sbever

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forthefurballs

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momofmany

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sharky

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jo scott

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