My cat won't stop scratching herself and its getting gradually worse...?

Question

We've switched her food, wash her every week or 2, and cut her claws once a week. Anyone know how to get her to stop? She's giving herself big bloody gashes now. (Maybe she's a cutter)
Anyway- please don't just tell me to go to the vet. We just moved (it could be stress on her?) like 2 weeks ago and don't have a car to get her to the nearest vet. Would it be OK to declaw her at this point (she's a year old) just to keep her from hurting herself? I need suggestions and ideas.

yes- no fleas. We gave her a treatment like 2 weeks before we left!

I TOOK HER TO THE VET 3 WEEKS AGO. AND THEN I MOVED. YES, I HAVE GOTTEN HER MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VET DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. AS I SAID BEFORE- I HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO TAKE CARE OF SOME THINGS IT COULD BE, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IDEAS, PEOPLE. Read the f-ing question.

Answer 1

animals can be allergic to flea bites - they may not even carry fleas, all it takes is one to jump on & bite to drive a cat nuts, kind of like an extreme mosquito bite to us. if you're sure it's not fleas, it could be several different things.

starting off, make sure the baths are either with an oatmeal wash or just cool water with no soap - anything else could be drying out her skin & making her itch even more.

second, she may have a food allergy. try a food that has duck or venison for a main ingredient - they're the least likely ones to cause allergies and they can be found in foods you buy at pet stores. (and allergies are one of the main reasons for itchy skin in cats, fleas and pollens being the others.) at the very least, get her on a good quality food with no beef or dairy.

don't bother declawing the cat (although i'm confused why you can bring a cat to the vet for this but not for a check-up?). you need to address the real issue causing the itching in order for the cat to get better, so declawing would just be like throwing a band-aid on an amputated arm. do what you can to get her to a vet for some kitty antihistimines or corticosteroids. it helps about 75% of the allergy cases until you can figure out what she's having a reaction to. (plus this kind of appointment is way cheaper than surgery and the meds are usually cheap too.) plus the vet could tell you if it's a bacterial skin infection & give the appropriate antibiotics.

in the meantime, you can see if a holistic or health food store has calendula ointment - put it on the itchiest spots 2-3 times daily. or try putting wiping her down with a cloth moistened with witch hazel (if you can find it, the kind with no alcohol is best. )

good luck!

Answer 2

Homemade skin whitening products are by far the cheapest and safest solution to the brown spots which trouble you so much. Read here https://tinyurl.im/aHLVG

They are very effective and at the same nurture the skin, so that you will not only have a whiter skin, but a healthier one too.

Each and every person wants a clean and radiant skin. Some spend fortunes on cosmetic products that will lighten the skin and remove all the imperfections, others spend their money on esthetic operations in the hope that their skin will look perfect. Lastly, there are people trying to fake a healthy skin by using all kinds of makeup that will cover the imperfections and leave the impression that the skin is healthy and has no scars, wrinkles or spots.

All these people are looking for a way through which they can make their skin look good. Yet, what they have not taken into consideration is the power of natural ingredients. Fruits, vegetables and products coming from animals are great sources of anti-oxidants and are rich in substances which can whiten the skin, moisturize it, attenuate the fine lines and wrinkles and give it elasticity.

Answer 3

SOUNDS LIKE STRESS FROM THE MOVE, MY CATS WENT CRAZY WHEN WE MOVED, BUT THEY SETTLED DOWN AFTER ABOUT A MONTH

Answer 4

Cat Wont Stop Scratching

Answer 5

With the newer types of insulin these days, diabetic diets aren't necessarily as restrictive as they used to be. Read here https://tr.im/ANr6l
As with any medicine or diet change, you should discuss it with your doctor. Fruits, both fresh and dried, have a natural sugar in them that will raise blood sugar levels, so be careful about eating too much. Not sure about the nuts. Moderation is always the key. I've been diabetic for 18 years and just recently changed insulin types. I love it because it gives me more freedom in when and what I eat.

Answer 6

The new place may have fleas, but if you can't see them give her a flea bath again and see if that relieves her for at least a few hours, if it doesn't could be mites or even an allergy, that's when you DO need to take her to the vet. Don't let her bleed! If she's past 5 months she's too old to be declawed and not remember it.

Answer 7

Is it possible that she has allergies? My moms cat did the same thing, scratched until he bled. The vet gave her some liquid drop meds and after that was all gone the cat quit scratching for a long time. But when he started, the vet repeated the treatment. He has allergies. I would never bath a cat, unless it was in some kind of medicinal dip. Cats usually keep themselves clean don't they? Maybe the bathing is drying out her skin==itching.?

Answer 8

Sounds like she has very bad allergies and needs meds from the vet or possibly a perscription diet. Maybe shes a cutter? Have you given her reason to be?

I really don't think shes scratching herself with her front claws and vets aren't allowed to declaw the rear or if they do they should be put out of business.

One flea bite on a cat whos allergic can cause symptoms. Check her skin for tiny little red bumps. Those would be flea bites

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Hey you, my first thoughts were of a dog I used to have. She did the same thing, she scratched herself bloody and then began to eat her own feet. The vet finally diagnosed her as having "Inherited Immuno-deficiency syndrome," common in inbred dogs. I suspect this is NOT your case.

I'd have to agree with allergies or stress. I understand about astronomical vet bills, as well. In my case, it was either have my puppy's broken tooth pulled or go to Montreal. We only got to do both because you know who worked overtime. I would've chosen my dog's dental health over a trip, mind you.

I've had two cats and they've both been declawed. Neither exhibited any after effects, other than learning to use those back claws in a big hurry. I wouldn't declaw your cat now though, because the surgery and recovery will only compound her stress.

I wish I had a better answer. Does she go outside, by herself? She's probably getting into some vegetation she's not used to. Maybe you could give her an oatmeal bath?

Answer 11

I know you have transportation issues, but obviously there is a medical issue here. she could have a fungul or bacterial infection. It could be allergies to something in the new home. I could be environmental irritants ( my mom has one cat that loses his hair and scratches if the house gets to dry so she must run a humidifier) Anyway, declawing would not be an answer to this problem. She needs properly diagnosed and treated for whatever the source of the itching is. Even if it is anxiety they have treatments for that too. Also, if her skin is irritated and you don't know what the source of the problem is bathing her may actually make it worse.