My 9 month old kitten is scratching and licking like crazy.

About 10 days ago my all white, gorgeous, long haired kitten,  started scratching A LOT.  I checked for fleas immediately and he has no fleas.  I then found a spot on his upper, inner, front leg.  He was actually pulling his hair out.  I took him to the vet the next day and they did a ringworm culture and gave me Elimaderm.  The sore grew larger and larger, so 3 days later I took him back.  A different very good vet saw him and said he was sure that it was NOT ringworm.  He gave him a depo Medrol steroid shot and a cone to wear.  I am very concerned for him cause he is my baby.  The vet thinks he could be allergic to something.  We had put a laminate wood floor in the kitchen and he started to scratch after that.  I have done a ton of research on this subject and also found that DRYER SHEETS that contain cationic could be harmful.   I do use a lot of dryer sheets which now I have totally stopped to see if this is the problem, but if it could be the new flooring I have not a clue how to fix that.  I have only used a damp cloth on the flooring no cleaners.  Any advice out there.  Thanks.

[opus88]

sorry for your poor little kitty, imagine how irritating this is to her. actually its pretty common, we hear alot of similar complaints here on the forum, and yur Vet is right in thinking its allergies...
I haven't heard of them being attributed to laminate flooring before, but it is possible, b/c that too would be full of chemicals. you are right to start eliminating dry sheets and cleaners...good start. what abt the litter you use? is it also unscented? can you try some more natural litter rather than the clay and a chemical(forget the name) thats in it that makes it clump...dont try any that claim to be 'natural' yet have heavy pine scents. a good one that many are happy with is by Dr. Elseys Precious Cat...preferably the SENIOR which supposedly is chemical free. or you can try paper pellets...or beads if kitty will use.

And what are you feeding? this type of allergy is either food related or environmental. if you are feeding dry kibble, this is full of grains(common allergy) and chemical/preservatives. I would try a canned food, preferably one with NO grains...avail at good pet stores. make the transition from dry to cans slowly so you don't cause kitty to have diarrhea. also try one thats not chicken(or chicken based) b/c chicken is another common allergen with cats...they have an over exposure to it b/c most foods have chicken base in them..

with people our allergies manifest themselves usually as respiratory...cats its always the skin..so we are on the right tract it just may take a process of change to find out the culprit.

use some good Omega 3 supplements. such as Krill Oil...one without any soy, salt or sugar....pierce capsule and squirt into kitties mouth 1 every second day. don't put in the food, b/c cats HATE the taste.

and NO more steroids. these only mask the problem, they may stop the itches for awhile but the are NO cure....and will lead to many other health issues for kitty such as diabetes.

try my suggestions, here is one link to a recent post I also did. I can send you more links if these suggestions don't help....do the changes it won't stop over night but I am very sure will within a few weeks.

[luckylori]

OHHH Thank you opus88.  I feed him Health Wise dry food.  The vet told me this is a very good product and he has been eating it since I got him as a kitten, BUT the flavor/type is chicken meal, rice formula.  I use scoop away litter.  These two things, the food and the litter have not changed at all.I do cover my furniture with throws that I do wash twice a week and use the dryer sheets and he lays on the them steady.  I have been racking my brain and even asked the vet if he could have scratched himself there, because he jumps up the doorways that are pine boards.  I thought maybe a microscopic sliver.  But he didn't think so.  I also forgot to say that after the new floor I got a new area rug to go under the kitchen table which he lays on also.  

[luckylori]

I have some fancy feast wet food here that was left over from our last cat.  Should I try this? And how do I transition?  Thanks, Lori

[opus88]

it doesn't matter that she has been eating it all the time, allergies can take awhile to show...and cats like us can develop an allergy from over exposure to any allergen. same with the litter, an allergy can develop.

yes feed her the fancy feast cans.....just start slowly, add 50/50 and gradually keep decreasing the dry food...so within 4-5days she is getting all wet food. is diarrhea develops than decrease the wet a little less but it shouldn't......
find more cans of fancy feast without chicken, try fish for AWHILE only..not good to have on a fish diet for very long....

not likely a sliver no....the rug tho could have some chemicals that are affecting her....also I would wash the furniture covers and not use the dryer sheets....these are loaded with chemicals, and this or the food may well be the problem...

[luckylori]

Hi opus88,  Do you know anything about ringworm?  The reason I ask is because that first vet took  hair samples for a culture for ringoworm.  I know it takes a long time for that sample to grow.  But what I;m wondering is if he did have ringworm would WE have it by now?  He wants to be held steady.  UGGGG  I'm so confused and frustrated, I haven't slept in days.  Plus we do have another cat and she has no signs of ringworm or skin problem.  This has been going on now for 10 days.  He is literally licking his cone cause he can't reach himself.  I thought the shot was suppose to help the itching.  Thanks so much,  Lori

[luckylori]

Oh and when I apply the elmiderm he acts lethargic and almost drugged up where his eyes look druggy if that makes any sense.

[opus88]

what exactly is elimaderm that the Vet prescribed? I can't find it on the Vet drug index.
No it doesn't sound like ringworm to me, or as you say you would all have it by now...its extremely contagious. didn't the second Vet say it wasn't? didn't he than tell you that this medication should be discontinued?

[luckylori]

The second vet said he was CONFIDENT that it was not ringworm but would continue to check the culture.  AHHH the elimderm is a topical  for bacteria, fungus, and yeast.  The second vet said you still can put it on him since you bought it from the first vet.  I called and the girl at front desk of vet gave him a message from me this morning.  Asking him if the cat should still be itching after the depo shot on Monday.  She just called me back and said he said to give it until Monday.  He's not actually scratching himself due to the cone but is still trying.  A friend of mine said I should rinse him with just water no soap since the chemical is still in his fur.  She is convinced its the laminate floor.  She said it has a ton of chemicals in it, or the dryer sheets.  And if it is that its still sitting in his long fur.  

[luckylori]

Hi Opus88,  An update on kitten... Well he still is wearing the cone.  The sore leg is healing but looks like is it scabbing over like a skinned knee would.  I gave him a nice bath or should I say shower the other night.  OMG he loved this.  He stood like a soldier and did not move.  I felt I needed to get the Elemiderm off because of the effects it had on him.  After shower he slept the whole next day.  I'm just wondering ,this wound looks like its getting dry of course from not licking but almost cracking.  I am suppose to call the Vet on Monday and give him an update.  Thank You for answering all my questions.  You made me feel more relaxed in this stressful situation.  

[opus88]

well that is great news, have you changed the diet as well? I hate these cones to me they are a form of torture, however I can see that sometimes they are necessary....since he still has it on and the area is getting a dry scab try using a little dab of White petroleum jelly(vaseline) to help keep it a little moister and not cracking..don't use alot, just a dab. I hope you do switch the diet and hopefully the licking won't resume once the cone if off....good luck and keep us updated♥