Does anyone have cats with allergies and giving cortisone injections??

Question

I have 3 cats. They had ear mites awhile ago but not anymore. They are all scratching and shaking their heads all the time. I took one of them to see the vet last monday for a check-up. No fleas, no ear mites and no ear infection. He said that they all have allergies. He gave her a cortisone injection. I didn't want to at first but gave in because I want them to stop itching. She is about 3 years old and was very lively, now she is very calm since the shot and she doesn't scratch herself but once in awhile still shakes her head. I don't want to give her those shots anymore because she is not herself. For those who have cats with allergies, what did your vet prescribe or what are you giving them for the allergies?

Answer 1

I had one cat (out of 13 I owned ... I was a breeder of show Siamese at the time) who was allergic to CATS. She had a runny nose and watery eyes all the time until the vet gave me some 'antihistamine powder' for cats ... I sprinkled it onto her dish, and her symptoms got much better. DO NOT try using the antihistamines for humans, since they are WAY TOO STRONG and could kill your cat ... if your vet won't prescribe cat antihistamines, call every vet you can until you can find a vet who knows them and can prescribe them to you ... they are a 'measured powder' in gel capsules and you open the cap and sprinkle the powder into a bit of food to get the medicine into the cat. DO NOT let the vet give your cat steroids again ... steroids are for PAIN, and can not be used for allergies ... and you are correct when you say that her 'change in behavior' is due to the steroids. Get the vet to try cat antihistamines or get a new vet who will ... and the cat should not be 'sleepy' since there are antihistamines that don't cause 'sleepiness' for cats, just as there are for humans.

Answer 2

Steriods are frequently used to treat itches, as they are very effective - they should not be used long-term however, ideally.

Tell your vet of the unwanted side-effects and ask for alternative treatments. Don't go asking for medicine suggestions on the internet - you going to take a stranger's advice to a vet?? They will not be impressed! Please just talk this over with your vet. Your cat doesn't have to have anything you don't want him to, but please find out what other options are from a VET.

Chalice