Aa
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.
What you said about food, dust mites and pollen and how if allergic to one then likely allergic to all makes sense to me, since that's how it is for me, too.
Feeding them something they haven't been exposed to is pretty tricky. Akira's favorite has always been salmon. Her vet thinks that fish is a more common allergy than poultry. Well, time will tell. My thinking is that since she has shown before that she craves the thing she is allergic to, like grains, that she very likely is allergic to her favorite--salmon. But, I know that it's still going to take a process of elimination to figure out for sure which ingredient it is that is bothering Akira. I would give canned food with venison, but I tried that one before--she hated it. She definitely doesn't like venison.
I don't know if Akira has a dairy allergy or not. One step at a time, I suppose. But, at some point I could try the yogurt. I haven't put any of the creams on her yet at all today and I haven't noticed any serious scratching. This is good, because the less steroids are involved, the better. Probably more effective when it is necessary to use them, too, if they're not used all the time.
Feeding them something they haven't been exposed to is pretty tricky. Akira's favorite has always been salmon. Her vet thinks that fish is a more common allergy than poultry. Well, time will tell. My thinking is that since she has shown before that she craves the thing she is allergic to, like grains, that she very likely is allergic to her favorite--salmon. But, I know that it's still going to take a process of elimination to figure out for sure which ingredient it is that is bothering Akira. I would give canned food with venison, but I tried that one before--she hated it. She definitely doesn't like venison.
I don't know if Akira has a dairy allergy or not. One step at a time, I suppose. But, at some point I could try the yogurt. I haven't put any of the creams on her yet at all today and I haven't noticed any serious scratching. This is good, because the less steroids are involved, the better. Probably more effective when it is necessary to use them, too, if they're not used all the time.
hi....yes so very frustrating to figure out isn't it!!
the thing is with food and allergies my vet said to give them something they have NEVER been exposed to before, so if she's never had chicken than try chicken see what I'm saying?...could be she's develped an allergy to salmon for sure....just keep away from anything with grains...I have one too that can't eat grains, I feed him INNOVA EVO and he loves it and he is very healthy....there are also many others on the market.
My Sami sure DIDN'T like the venison either nor the duck, may try lamb next time??
best of luck, glad she's not scratching today
the thing is with food and allergies my vet said to give them something they have NEVER been exposed to before, so if she's never had chicken than try chicken see what I'm saying?...could be she's develped an allergy to salmon for sure....just keep away from anything with grains...I have one too that can't eat grains, I feed him INNOVA EVO and he loves it and he is very healthy....there are also many others on the market.
My Sami sure DIDN'T like the venison either nor the duck, may try lamb next time??
best of luck, glad she's not scratching today
hi the only LAMB I can find is mixed in with chicken so thats out.
there is lamb avail if you go to a raw diet....so maybe thats what I'll have to try.
right now he is loving his fish so much, my vet said leave well enough alone, see if he breaks out again, than we start AGAIN from scratch.!
there is lamb avail if you go to a raw diet....so maybe thats what I'll have to try.
right now he is loving his fish so much, my vet said leave well enough alone, see if he breaks out again, than we start AGAIN from scratch.!
I've been giving Akira the recommended 1/4 tablet of Zyrtec every morning before I give her her breakfast. It is really helping Akira's allergies. I will also put the topical steroid on her some mornings, like I did this morning, since it's better to put as little stress on the animal as possible by doing everything all at one time. She needed a bit of extra help with the allergies this morning, since she was scratching so much while I was on the "throne".
I make things as pleasant as I can for Akira. I spoil her with a massage after I give her all that medicine. She really likes it, and I know I reduce the stress she feels from being forced to take the allergy medicine that she doesn't like. You should've seen her this morning after I was finished massaging her. She was so relaxed that she nearly forgot about being hungry for breakfast. I practically had to peel her off of the chair, so I could get up myself to feed her. LOL. I know that has to help, if it relaxes her that much.
I make things as pleasant as I can for Akira. I spoil her with a massage after I give her all that medicine. She really likes it, and I know I reduce the stress she feels from being forced to take the allergy medicine that she doesn't like. You should've seen her this morning after I was finished massaging her. She was so relaxed that she nearly forgot about being hungry for breakfast. I practically had to peel her off of the chair, so I could get up myself to feed her. LOL. I know that has to help, if it relaxes her that much.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm happy to see the Zyrtec is working. This thread is amazing and I wish I had of known about cat forums when we had our first kitty, Abby. Oh my, but she had allergies to Something and it was just terrible. Poor kitty used to scratch day and night as well as really didn't want us to touch her. Our vet never ever suggested anything simple like Zyrtec or allergy medicine. Instead, gave quite a few coritsone shots (I think cortisone, it's been awhile) which had little to no effect. Abby suffered something terrible and it was awful to watch her scratch so much, not only for her, I hate to say, but for me too...it was just unnerving because I felt so bad and didn't know how to help her. I thank God, Jade doesn't seem to have any such problem. *crosses fingers and toes*
I do hope you get to the bottom of Akira's allergies soon. This is a tough situation to figure out :(
I do hope you get to the bottom of Akira's allergies soon. This is a tough situation to figure out :(
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cats Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
