allergic to the new diet or Lantus?

[Anyname]

New problem. You all will have noticed how cats lick madly when you pat their back above their tail? Well recently LB is sensitive over a much greater area. He is itchy and very reactive to patting around other parts of his body. Tonight I noticed him licking areas intensively and he's obviously quite troubled by itching. I then found little out-breaks of pimply scaly red spots which could be ring worm but is much more likely connected to the over all itchiness he's developed. His coat has thinned a lot on his tummy - he's only got a bit of soft down instead of a furry tummy now. And this balding problem extends right around to the back of his legs. It's making him look thinner because he was such a fluffy cat previously who used to have magnificent britchers made of fur - but no more.

He is considered an allergy prone cat - he has a growth on his tongue - which is why he was on steriods which lead to him developing diabetes. I thought I read that cats can be allergic to protein in some meats. He is now on an all meat diet - which is working well for his diabetes but may be making him worse with skin allergies. Could it be that he's allergic to Lantus? I have only just realised that he has a problem.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I'd definitely check with your vet. Lantus is not a meat derived insulin. If there is a reaction, my understanding is that is usually localized to around the shot site but at least in humans, the drug manufacturer does mention the possibility of a systemic reaction. You may want to post over on Health, at least about the possibility of a food allergy.

As far as meat allergy, there are a number of kitties who do experience problems with certain foods. The recommendation is to use novel protein sources (i.e., rather than beef, chicken, or turkey use duck, venison, or other less common protein sources).

 

[Kathy and Kitty]

What brand do you feed, just out of curiosity?