What can help a cat from itching so bad & gnawing himself raw?

Question

We have a male cat that has been having severe itching and the 3 vets have only said its allergies to fleas but frontline, capstar or bathes do not help and he's got a cone on that doesn't keep him from himself. We've got him prednisone shots don't help and skin scapings can't find anyhting & some powder stuff and allergy pills that seemed to help for a few days but stopped. We have 2 other cats that do not have same problem so its not contagious what could be going on? He is also on a bath medicine keto sumthing and its an antiseptic like wash the vet gave us and it did seem to help a lil but now its not so much he is very crazy like when u give him a bath like the water burns him or hurts him in sumway the shampoo he's fine with so its not that its just when he's put into water & yes I understand most cats don't like bathes but its different with him he's a major spoiled baby and he acts like your killin him when we bath him.. I can't stand seeing him suffer ...Please Help Me

Answer 1

Well if the fleas aren't gone there's your problem. But if there are no signs of fleas he may have an allergy to his food. Try hollistic foods instead, they use one protein source so you can try one at a time until you identify the one that works best for him. Try for at least 3 weeks before switching to another. I give my cats "solid gold" but it is really expensive so if that one isn't for you try "natural balance" it's the same but much more affordable. Also when they scratch like that and literally rip off their fur it can often be stress related or simply summer itch. You can get sprays or powders to soothe the skin and keep them from biting themselves, I use Nature's Vet - Yuck No chew spray for my dog and it is a miracle worker. Good luck to you I hope this helps, if you need any more tips or info feel free to email me. :)

Answer 2

Some People like the Advantage Brand flea treatment. I think it is more powerful than Frontline because When I applied it it made my cat a bit lethargic for the first 24 hours. Another vet in the area probably has it.

Since your vet is doing everything obvious, unless the cat has an internal medical condition that is the cause.

That Zena person below is so smart!!!!!! Usually people blame the food and it turns out to be fleas. BUT LOOK AT THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS ON THE BAG OF FOOD. A premium food that has Turkey, Chicken, or Lamb as the first ingredient usually won't be a problem. A food with lesser ingredients might have a lot of fillers that could be the problem.

Answer 3

Flea allergies are difficult to treat. Sometimes a single flea can set off a severe allergic reaction. You mention treating your cat with various things, but are you also treating the other cats for fleas? If not all your efforts for your allergic cat will be in vain, because he'll be constantly getting new fleas ftom the other cats.

If you let the allergic cat go outside, he's also bound to pick up fleas out there.

My suggestion is a veterinary allergist. Or you might consider finding the cat anew home without other cats, to help keep fleas away from him.

(Edit -- You mentioned that he eats Special Kitty that contains crab and lobster. On the off chance that he might be allergic to some of those ingredients, why don't you try feeding him a low allergen or hypoallergenic cat food for a while. There are some that you can buy at a vet clinic and there may be some at pet stores.)

Answer 4

His skin could be getting worse from the bathing or it might not be a flea allergy alone and he could VERY wll be allergic to the frontline which i've seen terrible skin reactions from. I would stop using any topical flea medications and if you absolutely have to use something get the program pill. I would also ask the vet to see if you can try some benadryl. It is safe for cats but i would get the ok from the vet. It should clear up in a few weeks.

Answer 5

You don't say if he is an outdoor cat or not, but if he is allowed to be outside and he lays in the grass ... he could be allergc to the grass. You may want to get another vet's opinion.

Don't put a flea collar on him until you know what could be causing the itching. You may need to give infant strength Benadryl or a very, very tiny amount daily to help control the possible allergies.

Again, I think if he were my cat, I would seek the opinion of a different vet ... or talk with a college that offers vetenarian medicine as a course .. there could be something different that is available on the market or prescription that can solve his itching. Poor kitty. I have four and they are my spoiled babies too.

Good luck to you and your kitty.

Answer 6

Thank you all soooo much for all of ur advice.. I thought I'd fill in some holes I've been asked.. He's a strictly inside kitty we don't bathe him often it suposed to be twice a week but he acts like it hurts him I can't do it that often that might be bad but it bothers me to make him hollar and cry like he does even though its tryin to help him I will try the benadryl part - TY!! The Food is "Special Kitty gourmet blend with chicken, tuna, crab, shrimp & lobster" We have even changed his litter brand to try that other 2 cats are treated also do not have anything near to same symptoms. Something I also forgot he doesn't seem to be gaining much weight we have a VERY chubby kitty a very stout muscley siamese mix and hes the youngest but very slender & no sign of worms had all shots and wormed current vet apts and 3 different vets have done the things from above I first talked about not just 1 we've had him to 3 & all they say is flea allergy & NOTHING is helpin ...My Biggest & Worst fear is that we will have to put him to sleep cuz he's got sumthing goin on & the vets can't seem to say anything besides fleas or help us right HE'S THE SWEETEST MOST SPOILED CUDDLY BABY & I DON'T WANNA LOSE HIM OR HAVE HIM SUFFER LIKE THIS ANYMORE he used to play fetch with lil balls and crinkled up paper (We have videos..so cute) but where hes got that cone on now all he really does is try to scratch where he can get to and lay around getttin lovens ...any other question email me or visit my other page & message me so I can respond .......
www.myspace.com
/myangelzachariah42004

in the pictures of pets there his name is Baby

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR ALL OF UR ADVICE!!!!

Answer 7

I have a cat with allergies and certain times of the year she is in misery.

My Vet prescribed Children's Benadryl. It's a liquid with a dropper. She gets 4 ML 3 times a day.

To give the medicine you hold the cat by the scruff of their neck and pull back until their nose points toward the ceiling. Then put the dropper into the corner of their mouth and squirt the liquid in.

I hope your kitty feels better soon.

Answer 8

A friend of mine had a dog that scratched himself raw due to allergies - the vet told them to give her Benadryl and that seemed to help some. But I'm not sure how much they gave the dog and I don't know how much would be appropriate for a cat - you should check with a vet again.

Answer 9

so he'll just have to put up with the bath, it WON'T kill him better a few minutes of discomfort than all day scratching