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Kitty has allergy symptoms
Okay, so I just took Akira to the vet. The vet did tell me what I already knew--that Akira has some kind of allergy, since she has been scratching like crazy. She prescribed a topical steroid called Animax and told me that I can also use Benadryl cream. The vet thinks that Akira is likely allergic to beef and/or salmon as well as grains. It could be something in the environment, too, because my own allergies have been driving me crazy big time lately, too--for about as long as Akira has been scratching more than usual. It could be all of the above, too. So, I was told to try the process of elimination by using just the turkey Wellness grain free. It's a lot like an elimination diet that people go through for food sensitivities.
The vet had said that Benadryl cream by itself would be enough, but instinctively I knew it wasn't because I had used some sparingly on her itchiest areas and she was clearly still itching really bad. And, I have allergies myself and sometimes need a touch of steroid to calm down the worst symptoms, so I thought the same thing would apply to the cat--to use the steroid cream temporarily, to calm down the skin inflammation enough for the skin to heal--then use the Benadryl in the manner that the vet told me after that, as it is a gentle antihistamine. She also said to buy some Zyrtec and give Akira 1/4 tablet each day for her allergies.
She said that what I had read online about giving oral Benadryl to cats for their allergies is correct, but my instincts to not give it to her without talking to the vet first were right on, too. She wants me to use Zyrtec for the cat right now and told me how much to give her. Since this seems like the conservative approach, I trust what the vet says, although I do think I'll hold back on giving her any oral medication 'til I see how well she does without it.
Does this sound like the right thing to do? To first see how well she does with just the topical medications before trying to administer oral antihistamines--as in 1/4 of a Zyrtec that her vet advised me to give to her?
I mean after losing my previous cat to colon cancer, I just worry about giving anything to Akira orally, because I don't want to go through all that again. Although, except for some itchy allergies, Akira is actually in good health.
When I first got Akira, she was already overweight. I knew she had lost some of the excess weight, though, because she is a lot better shaped. Her doctor said that she lost approximately 1 1/2 pounds. She still needs to lose a little more weight, but it looks like she will lose the rest of the weight without too much effort. Grains are also fattening, so going grain free helped in this regard, too--not just because of her allergies. Her previous owner used to buy cheap stuff in bulk from one of the warehouse stores in an effort to be able to continue to be able to afford to feed her. At that time Akira hadn't shown any signs of having these allergies, so her previous owner was unaware of this before she died. She had certainly done the best she could to take care of Akira under the circumstances she herself was in. That was a slow and steady weight loss, too.
The vet had said that Benadryl cream by itself would be enough, but instinctively I knew it wasn't because I had used some sparingly on her itchiest areas and she was clearly still itching really bad. And, I have allergies myself and sometimes need a touch of steroid to calm down the worst symptoms, so I thought the same thing would apply to the cat--to use the steroid cream temporarily, to calm down the skin inflammation enough for the skin to heal--then use the Benadryl in the manner that the vet told me after that, as it is a gentle antihistamine. She also said to buy some Zyrtec and give Akira 1/4 tablet each day for her allergies.
She said that what I had read online about giving oral Benadryl to cats for their allergies is correct, but my instincts to not give it to her without talking to the vet first were right on, too. She wants me to use Zyrtec for the cat right now and told me how much to give her. Since this seems like the conservative approach, I trust what the vet says, although I do think I'll hold back on giving her any oral medication 'til I see how well she does without it.
Does this sound like the right thing to do? To first see how well she does with just the topical medications before trying to administer oral antihistamines--as in 1/4 of a Zyrtec that her vet advised me to give to her?
I mean after losing my previous cat to colon cancer, I just worry about giving anything to Akira orally, because I don't want to go through all that again. Although, except for some itchy allergies, Akira is actually in good health.
When I first got Akira, she was already overweight. I knew she had lost some of the excess weight, though, because she is a lot better shaped. Her doctor said that she lost approximately 1 1/2 pounds. She still needs to lose a little more weight, but it looks like she will lose the rest of the weight without too much effort. Grains are also fattening, so going grain free helped in this regard, too--not just because of her allergies. Her previous owner used to buy cheap stuff in bulk from one of the warehouse stores in an effort to be able to continue to be able to afford to feed her. At that time Akira hadn't shown any signs of having these allergies, so her previous owner was unaware of this before she died. She had certainly done the best she could to take care of Akira under the circumstances she herself was in. That was a slow and steady weight loss, too.
hi...just found your posting as I was shutting off for the night....thx so much for that info..with Sami's next outbreak of scabs I will give that a try..so far he is staying clear thank God, for I like you just can't afford to do as I would like with treatment and foods...we do our best thats all we can do!!
cute...with the modem..yes they can sure find the good spots can't they, one of mine when he was getting older and was always cool..would sit under a lamp when I had one on to read with!!
stay warm you both!! goodnight
cute...with the modem..yes they can sure find the good spots can't they, one of mine when he was getting older and was always cool..would sit under a lamp when I had one on to read with!!
stay warm you both!! goodnight
I finally got the information about the correct dosage of Benadryl for my large adult cat. I do believe that she has a dust allergy, like I do, in addition to food allergies. The recommended food the vet's office told me about is too expensive for me to be able to afford.
Interestingly, I found out that I can give her a whole 25 mg capsule of the Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl) I take myself. I take 50 mg in one dose. They said I can give it to my cat twice a day, but to be aware that she may sleep more than she already does.
As a humorous note: Akira found a useful way to stay warm in here, as I have to be careful how much my heat is on. Very expensive in this economy. Akira started climbing up on the desk portion of my computer cabinet. She started using the DSL modem for a pillow and kind of like a heating pad. It's sort of funny. Smart kitty knows a good thing when she finds it.
Interestingly, I found out that I can give her a whole 25 mg capsule of the Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl) I take myself. I take 50 mg in one dose. They said I can give it to my cat twice a day, but to be aware that she may sleep more than she already does.
As a humorous note: Akira found a useful way to stay warm in here, as I have to be careful how much my heat is on. Very expensive in this economy. Akira started climbing up on the desk portion of my computer cabinet. She started using the DSL modem for a pillow and kind of like a heating pad. It's sort of funny. Smart kitty knows a good thing when she finds it.
I'll have to get back to you about the recommended dosage of Benadryl. Haven't found out yet. The Benadryl cream does help some, though. The key word here is "some".
hi furball and Kay....when anyone finds out abt the recommended dose will you please post and let us know...thx
I will have to ask my vet what the recommended dosage of Benadryl is for the cat. I take Diphenhydramine that comes in capsules that I buy from behind the pharmacy counter for myself. So, I can't give Akira those at all. I will have to find out the right amount to give to Akira. I understand how miserable all that itching is. I have the same problem myself. Poor little kitty.
Oh thx for the info...and Kaydey too will keep all in mind and consider.
I'm so glad Akira is showing some relief...how frustration for these poor kitties too...
Furball. as far as I can understand its the ORAL steroids that pose a problem, the topical ones should be safe even long term, unless Akira is licking it off..but its still very small amounts.
My Sami also has a prescription..called something different here in Canada...
although with him he does lick it off and cause more problems because the scabs than break out in open sores...can't win can we.
Yes the pharmacy's can be very helpful...back when I had my Opus on blood pressure pills my vet recommended I buy them thru my pharmacy, as they were the same a human med. and alot cheaper thru them than the clinic...
always pays to ask for anyone animal on meds...
keep up the good work with Akira, lets hope we can find some answers for them ya
I'm so glad Akira is showing some relief...how frustration for these poor kitties too...
Furball. as far as I can understand its the ORAL steroids that pose a problem, the topical ones should be safe even long term, unless Akira is licking it off..but its still very small amounts.
My Sami also has a prescription..called something different here in Canada...
although with him he does lick it off and cause more problems because the scabs than break out in open sores...can't win can we.
Yes the pharmacy's can be very helpful...back when I had my Opus on blood pressure pills my vet recommended I buy them thru my pharmacy, as they were the same a human med. and alot cheaper thru them than the clinic...
always pays to ask for anyone animal on meds...
keep up the good work with Akira, lets hope we can find some answers for them ya
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