Cat covered in scabs and irritation

[Smh30]

First for a little back story... I have four cats (two males, two females, all different ages, strictly indoor only, declawed front and rear, and all have consumed the same food for life).  Until last year, I never routinely put topical flea medication on the cats because we have never had problems with fleas.  About a year ago, all my cats went to stay with my mother while I was out of town.  My mother has four cats of her own, and has kept all the cats in the past.  She does, however, have a cat diagnosed with "flea allergies" that is prone to scab outbreaks and irritation. She has to take him for cortisone injections frequently and keeps topical flea meds on the cat.  After returning home, my youngest cat (Phoebe, 4 years old) began showing the same symptoms.  I rushed her off to the vet because the scabs and swelling was quite severe, especially around her neck.  I could not figure out how she was getting such scabs since she does not have back claws and many were in places she could not bite.  The vet said she had flea allergies and administered a cortisone shot.  He suggested I put a topical flea medication on all my cats for good measure, so I did.  Phoebe's symptoms cleared within the week, and I continued to give her either Frontline or Advantage each month.  One month, I was a little late on administration (about 3-4 days), and all of Phoebe's scabs and irritation returned.  Her symptoms did not improve after the meds either, so we returned to the vet for another cortisone injection.  I know that Advantage/Frontline are supposed to be administered every 28-30 days, however, I now have to give Phoebe the meds every 20 days or her symptoms return.  I am also keeping the topical flea medication on the other animals as well.  I do not understand how a cat just "develops" a flea allergy like this.  I have yet to find a single flea in my home.  I vacuum almost everyday and we even got new carpet in the house just 3 months ago.  Also, her coat never recovered from the first "allergy attack".  Before, her coat was always very thick and shiny.  Now, especially on her back, the fur looks thin and dull.  I've tried medicated shampoos also, but nothing seems to help. I do not want her to continue going through this, and I just don't think fleas are the culprit.  Also, the topical flea medication appears to be losing its effectiveness.  I've tried Frontline and Advantage, but her scabs return if I don't administer it earlier and earlier.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[opus88]

US...okay:)) good for you for researching and trying to find some answers, I know nothing abt Kitzyme so can't comment. I will tell you that omega3's have by FAR the best reputation I've ever read about. if you should decide to go that way you don't necessarily have to add it to her food...you can pierce the capsule and squirt it directly into her mouth...some cats love the taste of krill and will even lick it off your finger...although neither of mine do.

I looked up FleaDerm and down on the bottom of the page it  says FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY...and cats lick and INGEST everything you put on them, so I wouldn't be very sure abt using this product..
the same goes for any cream not sold to you by a Vet..

I haven't used any soothing shampoo's but I have heard of others talking about Zymox....i have no ingredient list. if you try than be sure to rinse off very well afterwards

http://www.petkingbrands.com/products/zymoxShampoo.html


here's the US site for omega3's if you decide to order if the other doesn't work...sure wishing you the best of luck, please keep us posted and let us know how its going ok.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Neptune-Krill-Oil-500-mg-60-Softgels/14424?ic=2&flt=0100

[Smh30]

I am actually in the US. I found out about Kitzyme while searching for answers, and I stumbled upon a UK forum that had very positive reviews for the product. Phoebe is very finicky about her food, and Kitzyme sounds more like treats (which I will probably be more successful getting her to take rather than tampering with her food). It is just starting to get fairly cold here in the Southeast, so I'm hoping the flea situation will resolve shortly, and I'll be ready for a new battle this summer. Do you have any personal recommendations on soothing shampoos or creams? My mom gave me some medicated shampoo that helps her cat, and it seemed to help a little. I also found this product called FleaDerm that looked safe. It's very pricey, however, and I wondered if it would actually work. I can't put a price on my baby's comfort, but I don't want to waste her/my time with any useless/dangerous products. I did not realize how poisonous the topical flea treatments were until I read some of your links. I actually haven't used Frontline in many months. I was applying the Advantage II, which states on the box that it should last for 30 days, but can be applied every 7-8 days for extreme cases.

[opus88]

p.s. I am 'assuming' you are in the UK? let me know if I'm wrong...just assumed this b/c Kityzme is primarily a UK product.....

[opus88]

your welcome, I hope it helps give you some answers and relief for the kitties...
Kitzyme is okay as far as I can read, however you may want to try a higher dose of Omega3's since their problem is really extensive. I will give you a link to iherb.com and one of their best krill oils that is safe for cats...(no sugar/salt/starch/soy/preservatives....its made by the brand NOW FOODS.
this is a very good product for all cats with extreme skin issues....just pierce the capsule and squirt it on their food, one capsule per day.

http://uk.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Neptune-Krill-Oil-500-mg-60-Softgels/14424

since I opened the UK site and I live in Canada it reads that this product is not avail. in my region. disregard this because it IS AVAIL IN THE UK..so I highly recommend you order this.

good luck, post anytime if I can be of any further help...wishing your kitties all the very best:)

[Smh30]

Thanks for all your information. I do have some Kitzyme conditioning tablets ordered for her coat.

[opus88]

hi and welcome. first of all I am not a Vet nor is anyone else on this site...but I will tell you a few things that may not agree with the Vets practice.

first of all you must stop the over use of advantage and frontline they are 'safe' to use maybe once a year, I would certainly not do so any more often. they can be very toxic to the central nervous system and frontline is a human carcinogen so you can imagine how toxic it will be to a cat...this is poisoning them to use so often.

http://www.simplesteps.org/greenpaws-products#/h/+/+/622

http://www.simplesteps.org/greenpaws-products#/h/+/+/598

secondly....cortisone or any steroid should only be used as very last resort...b/c these too are dangerous. if absolutely necessary to use a steroid consider Cyclosporine( Atopica) as its somewhat safer..
I lost a cat a few years ago d/t overuse of steroids so I'm really leary of this treatment unless nothing else works...

I will send you a site with some reading on allergies..the scabs do not develop from scratching they develop from an open sore that scabs over..

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2134


besides flea bite allergy, I  would have guessed change in food, but you said no, or new furniture carpeting? but that was recent.
There was something at your moms they were allergic too,  your moms house that must have  fleas....I will send you some info on that too...it only takes ONE bite to develop an allergy to a flea bite...

http://www.cat-health-guide.org/catfleas.html

lots of reading there to do for starters...
I feel so bad for poor little critters with skin problems...can you imagine how irritating this must be for them..

btw please don't try antihistamines without first talking to a Vet...they would have to tell you how low a dose to use safely...many times lower than for a human or this can be very dangerous.

something you sure can try right away though is omega3 fatty acids...they work so very good on anything that is irritating a cats skin and would sure be worth a try..
I will wait for a reply from you if you wish to try these, I will look up some of the safe brands for use with cats...:)