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Relocated and now I think my kitty has enviromental allergies

6 months ago I moved from the Mojave Desert to Charlotte NC.  My kitty who was born and raised in the desert has began licking all the fur off her tummy after 1 1/2 months in our new city.  I took her to her new vet here in town and we tried the prednisone treatment.  It worked, and we had her on it for over a month.  I heard it is bad to have a steroid as a long term treatment, so I decided to take her off of it.  Especially since she is heavy and at risk for diabetes... This wasn't a good choice to keep her on the prednisone treatment.  The vet said since the prednisone worked on her its most likely environmental allergies from relocating to a moist humid environment with lots of pollen from a very dry desert environment.  After taking her off the steroids she has continued to lick the fur off her backside, hind legs, and now starting on her front paws.  I have switched her food to a limited ingredients food with salmon and green peas for her coat and skin, but it doesn't seem to be working.  I am wondering what I can do for my kitty, are there any sprays, wipes, creams, baths, or topical medications that can help alleviate her allergies?  She seems to be miserable, however I don't have hundreds of dollars to take her to an allergy specialist for testing like my new vet recommended to me.
6 Responses
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Becky,

Just checking in to see how your baby girl is doing. Keep us posted, K?

Happy New Year
CML
Helpful - 0
11362300 tn?1418230294
Cats don’t like change and moving house can stress and confuses them, but it’s been 6 months and it’s enough time for her to adjust to the new environments, maybe she need more time.
Helpful - 0
7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Becky,

I moved from Arizona to Florida and my cat also began scratching madly, but not the licking, Thank God.

Here is what I found out:

Food Allergies:. Meezey was allergic to her food ingredients . I also put her on a LID diet of Natural Balance Duck only. I also used their dry food in Duck also, and cut back on it quit a bit since I think she may also be allergic to yeast, which is found in a lot of treats.

Understand, if it is food allergies this will take a while before her system will show signs of reduced allergic reactions. I thought  --oh, a week or so, Ha, it took a good 5 months, but it has worked. She no longer scratches. She is mainly allergic to any chicken or turkey and their by-products--like flavoring, or chicken meal. So now she is on a fish and duck diet. I have found a wonderful cat food called Weruva and most of the fish and duck have NO chicken or their by-products.

Enviormental allergies:

Now you have to watch out for air freshners, laundry detergent, room sprays or plug -ins, and cleaning products also, but I would start with the food first. You have to be vigilante about when she has her episodes and what she has  been exposed to right before she starts licking and itching.

Stress: Is another factor that may be causing obsessive licking for stress relief. She needs to adjust to her new home, and moving is always stressful .....for humans also.

I think going to an allergist is just a waste of money, you can figure this out, since you know her better than anyone. I would ask your vet to suggest allergy pills --I think I use human tabs and break into 4 pcs.
You need to get the right allergy med and dosage from your vet due to weight differences. This is better than steroids.

In the meantime to protect her skin from irritation from itching--cover her up. I find using a baby's t-shirt will cover up most of the body--you will need two one to go over her front 2 paws and one to go over the back legs. I know this sounds weird but I found it better than that Cone thingy that makes them look like a satellite dish.

Use Felaway plug ins to produce a calming effects.

I don't know what else to tell you, but others here will give you some other ideas I am sure.

Good Luck--this is a bit of a challenge, so keep posting and let us know if there is any good progress or if you have more questions. We are very good listeners on this forum, and that will help with your frustration at times.

CML
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I should also add if you hadn't already please use a humidifier in your home to help with the dryness

welcome back....CRSeaside, we missed you!!
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi becky and welcome, I hope we can offer some suggestion to help poor kitty. I am glad you have decided to d/c the prednisone, as you see it is only a temporary solution at best and can lead to many other health issues.

what you are describing is very common symptoms of allergies...it can be environmental, diet or inhaled

first of all are you feeding a dry diet? please stop if you are, dry kibble is loaded with preservatives and other nasty ingredients that give many kitties problems

switch over to canned, but do so gradually so not to cause GI upset

also d/c salmon or any other fish....the article I am linking you too will explain why. plus there is nowhere near enough omega 3's in a fish diet to be of any help. do keep on with the limited ingredient diet in canned form, try a novel protien such as venison(if your kitty will eat, not many like) stick to GRAIN FREE

It is important you give her a supplement of Omega 3's...IMO Krill Oil is the best

to address inhaled allergies....are there carpets in your home? any new scents that you have recently began using since your move? new chemicals...even candles or hairsprays.....new furniture? new detergent? new household cleaners? (I use only vinegar to clean)...anything that gives off a scent can be an allergen. plus all the fire retardant chemicals in furniture or carpets even clothing....so you have a long list of things to try and eliminate on a trial bases at least

start with that, and the diet....and please add Omega3's heres the link, if you have anyother questions we will try and help....good luck♥

http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/omega-3s-are-essential-for-your-cat/
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
Maybe she's also nervous. I live part time in Costa Rica & our caretaker says both my cat & dog get depressed when I'm gone.
I play games with a little dry food. I put it in a clear plastic tube & when my cat puts her paw in to scoop one out, I say,"oh you're sooo smart.
  Something like this may take her mind off her problem. Good luck. Btw, I live part time in Yucca Valley. Love the desert too. Pamela
Helpful - 0
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