My poor Persian...

[turningcircles]

I have a blue Persian. He is nine years old. Since he was about three, the left side of his head, above his eye, has been itchy. In years before, it wasn't all that bad. But in the last two years, it has become awful. I have taken him to the vet for this. The first time, they said he had an ear infection. He was treated for that and seemed better. However, a couple months later, he started itching again. It was so bad he was twitching when he wasn't itching. He ended up scratching his head so badly that I took him to the vet again. His nose has been slightly runny. He was put on prednisolone and clavamox, which cleared it up for about three months. I thought maybe he had a sinus infection.
He has started itching again. I put Quikheal on him (I put him in a cone until it dries), and that seems to soothe it. I have tried a few safe, gentle salves, but nothing works. I talked to the vet, and she said this is just common with Persians. I can't stand seeing him so itchy, but I do not want to put him on steroids all the time. It is not healthy and I don't want to damage his organs. Does anybody have any experience with this? He's been on about four different foods with no difference. I bought a special shampoo for him (Earthbath 2-1...nice stuff, by the way!) He has always been very healthy, except for this itchiness. He doesn't itch anywhere else!

Thank you for reading this!

I should also add that I live with my sister, who has four small dogs that she brings in the house every night. They sleep in her room, and don't interact much with the my cat.

 

[maggie101]

Is he taking anything to prevent fleas?

 

[Jcatbird]

Even one flea bite can cause a reaction in some cats. I have two that react this way. I use a flea preventative and make sure not to be around them when I come in from outside until I have changed close just in case a flea comes in from outside. Since there are dogs there I would wonder if they have little hitchhikers coming in and biting. Maybe giving the dogs a bit of brushing before coming in could make any fleas jump off before coming inside? I have also switched the dry food we use. My cats don’t eat a lot of dry but read the ingredients snd try to get the best stuff. The other thing that affects these two is litter! Yep! The litter that has a lot of dust or perfumes makes them itch. I am now using the dust free, Unscented clumping clay. Right now, no one is itching! Oh yeah, I also do a regular flea combing on those two cats. Every once in awhile I get a flea in the comb even though they are inside only cats and on preventative. Fleas are sneaky!

 

[turningcircles]

Is he taking anything to prevent fleas?

Yes. The dogs have flea stuff they get full-time. I always check my kitty for fleas, too, so if I see one on him, he gets flea medicine.

 

[fionasmom]

If you see the fleas on him, even just one or two, and then use the meds you might be creating a cycle where he is bitten, then starts to itch, rather than establishing a preventative routine.

 

[turningcircles]

If you see the fleas on him, even just one or two, and then use the meds you might be creating a cycle where he is bitten, then starts to itch, rather than establishing a preventative routine.

I haven't seen any fleas on him in over a year. He does get flea medicine once in a while. I can't remember the brand that is used, I think it might be Revolution (my sister does it). But it's the kind they get on the nape of their neck and it keeps fleas off for a few months. But I don't like putting it on him full-time because I really don't want to poison him. I never see fleas around, because not only are the dogs treated regularly, but the yard is, as well.

I really don't think fleas are the cause of it. Because there was a time when he did have them (not for long!) and it didn't bother his skin at all.

 

[turningcircles]

Is he taking anything to prevent fleas?

Only if there are fleas around. I don't want to poison him.

 

[fionasmom]

Revolution is a monthly treatment. This might depend on where you live if it is used each month. I only use flea preventative about 5 months of the year on my indoor cats, and even the outdoor ferals who will let me use it on them. Yes, it is a systemic treatment, but fleas can be serious as well.

 

[neely]

The other option is to consider taking him to a Veterinary Dermatology Specialist for the itching. They have the expertise to diagnose and treat problems with the skin. Here is an Article that may have some helpful information for you regarding skin conditions in cats:
Skin Conditions In Cats – TheCatSite Articles

Good luck!

 

[turningcircles]

The other option is to consider taking him to a Veterinary Dermatology Specialist for the itching. They have the expertise to diagnose and treat problems with the skin. Here is an Article that may have some helpful information for you regarding skin conditions in cats:
Skin Conditions In Cats – TheCatSite Articles

Good luck!

Thank you very much!