2006-10-16 09:41:13 · 13 answers · asked by web_researcher 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.
Cats can have allergies and skin problems which are outside the knowledge of general veterinary medicine. A skin specialist has studied more skin stuff and may be able to help you more.
Cats can have food allergies, allergies to dust mites, pollen, flea bites and all sorts of stuff, and often they will itch themselves bloody/ raw.
Although soft paws will help protect his skin, they will not stop the itch.
Ask your vet about trying a prescription diet called "ZD", it is a hypoallergenic diet- that may help. Your vet may have other recommendations as well.
Some cats do well on anti anxiety meds and antihistamines, both need to be prescribed- but you need to find out why your cat does this.
Get that referral to specialist.
2006-10-16 09:50:15 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat did the same thing and had been doing it so long I just thought it was a personality quirk. However, one day it dawned on me to get the poor guy looked at because one of his "patches" was looking unusually raw and painfull. The vet gave him a shot of something and within 5 days the rough spot was smaller, was clearly healing, and 5 days later his hair was growing back. I was so happy! Now his tummy looks normal and fuzzy like all the other cats' tummies :) I don't know why your particular vet did not give your cat something for the rash but if I were you, I'd get a second opinion. Good luck :)
2006-10-16 13:04:34 · answer #2 · answered by D W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an interesting post and I'm afraid to say I don't have a great answer for you. I recently adopted a 5 month old "special needs" kitty who was born with a birth mark on his side that got scratched and repeatedly opened up from playing with his siblings. I have to clothe the kitten in old pairs of socks which I cut two holes into for his legs to go through. I came home on Friday night and his "sweater" was pushed up around his neck and he was bleeding profusely from his scar. I cleaned him up with Hydrogen Peroxide and fitted him out with a new "sweater". It's not normal for cats (or any animal) to wear clothes but the vet said the skin there is paper thin and he'll just keep scratching at it. I guess the only real method of keeping their claws away from these wounds is to keep them covered. Sorry I wasn't much help!
2016-05-22 07:08:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 cats that do this. My vet knew right away what was wrong. They have to have a Depo shot every month. The first thing my vet started out with was "steroid" pills .......such as prednisone. That may be your answer. DO NOT DECLAW !!!! It is not the cats fault he (or she) has a medical problem. Talk to your vet again & see if perhaps he (or she) would try the prednisone first & then if that doesn't work perhaps the Depo shot. Hope this helps ya a little. Good luck !!
2006-10-16 13:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by Short Fuse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet the cat is scratching the rash not causing it.
Sounds like an allergy. Change the food and give LOW dose Benadryhl (sp) or other allergy meds.
2006-10-16 09:53:34 · answer #5 · answered by dkgroce 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you using a good flea control such as Frontline or Advantage? What are you feeding? If you are feeding a food that contains corn, wheat or soy it is very possible the cat has allergies. These foods are very high allergy producers.
Do you use floor cleaners/carpet cleaners? So you use Pinesol, lysol or any other of these types of cleaners in your home?
Have you had allergy testing done?
2006-10-16 13:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cat's skin is dry maybe you could bathe it (I know, easier said than done) in a moisturizing type shampoo.
Aside from declawing you could try temporary relief with these nail caps:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2975&Ntt=claw%20cover&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
2006-10-16 09:46:59 · answer #7 · answered by always_cookin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am not sure about cats... but when my dog used to do that we reduced the scratching by changing her food.
2006-10-16 09:48:50 · answer #8 · answered by Lilel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get him some soft paws... They are cute, easy to put on and will stop him from scratching himself. Declawing is TERRIBLE, this is a great alternative... You can get him orange and black ones for Halloween.
Go to www.softpaws.com
2006-10-16 09:44:25 · answer #9 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get his claws removed. It might at least keep him from hurting himself.
2006-10-16 09:42:58 · answer #10 · answered by Lanani 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋