My cat has an allergic reaction – help please

We too have a cat with some sort of cat allergies. We have tried everything and here are some of the results. We tried different foods but none helped. Then we treated for dust mites. One way is to put a dryer sheet and wrap it around the flap inside of your heater vent. This seemed to help because she had a habit of sitting on the heater vent in the winter. I also kept one inside my vacum to kill any that were sucked up. Washing and drying her bed good also helped. This worked for a little while and she also got fleas this summer and the proiblem returned. She had scratches and sores and a lot of hair loss. We kept the spot on treatment on her, flea combed her, and treated the house. Now that its fall and the leaves are coming in we are having an outbreak of fleas again. So more spot on. One thing that has helped her trmemdously and helps with the fleas is to keep the carpet extrememly clean. Vacum every day and get rid of the dirt or change the bag alot because this can harbor those dust mites and fleas. I recently purchased a little Bissel carpet cleaner. jThis has worked miracles. I shampoo at least once a week. It gets rid of the dust and dirt in the carpet and also sucks up those feas. Since I started with the carpet cleaner her fur has grown back mostly. She still scratches alot but the sores are going away and her fur is coming back. Its hard to pin point exactly what the cause of the allergy can be. You just have to experiment with alot of solutions. Dust mites, fleas, or food can be some of the main sorces. I hope you find a solution because its not good for a cat not to eat. Good idea giving her the tuna but that can be addicting for a cat and also can cause cats some problems if you give it too much. Just thought id share some ideas for you. I have also heard that keeping a piece of flea collar in your vacum can help. I purchased a bagless vacum so I can throw the dust and dirt away everyday. Good luck, KW

I forgot to advise you in my previous post that when your cat has gone off feed and loses weight in the flanks, he or she is in danger of hepatic lipidosis. This can be fatal. The feline liver cannot handle large amounts of fat at one time. In effect, it gets clogged. Inflammation and jaundice set in; sometimes even heroic measures do not avail and the cat dies.

I urge you to see a competent vet, both for your cat’s presumed allergies, and for a check on liver function as well as restoration of appetite. In far-advanced cases, tube feeding is necessary.

Plump cats especially are at considerable danger of hepatic lipidosis if they go off feed for long. One of the very best things cat keepers can do to prolong the lifespan of their cats is to control their cats’weight.

You must insist that your former vet provide you your cat’s (or cats’) medical records. You own these records. The vet may charge a modest copying fee and postage. In any case these records are yours, you paid for them, and the vet must provide them upon your request.

Upon the evidence here, you are well shut of that vet.

Sounds like your kitty is very uncomfortable. Michael’s advice is right on target.

Best to get your kitty to a vet ASAP. If she is feeling lousy she won’t want to eat. Cats need to eat and have cool fresh water available. Cats living on a diet primarily of kibble need a lot of water.

Food allergies can also spring up suddenly. Bathing a cat can dry out the skin which leads to more irritation and itching.

Your vet can give her a shot of an anti-inflamatory medication which will relieve the symptoms making her far more comfy. If it were my kitty a vet visit would be my immediate step.

Hope she feels better soon and gains that weight back.

I forgot to add a link to a page on cat hair loss on this site that covers more causes – it may help too.

Hair Loss in Cats.

There are some treatments on the above page too.