Dander

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puddersmom

Member Since 2013
I noticed that my pudders has a lot of dander. I know that it is a sign of uncontroled diabetes. His readings have been a little on the high side. But I am wondering if there is any way I can get rid of it. Seems like he has more than usual. Any ideas?

Thanks-
Niki and Oreo/pudders
 
Brushing with a boar bristle brush may help distribute any oils and remove some dander and loose fur. A slicker brush will remove loose fur and some dander.

You could use a slightly damp, warm washcloth to 'mom cat' him and swab him down. To remove some dander and loose fur. Some cats really like this.
 
Yes, getting him better regulated should definitely help with this. I had a previous cat that had intermittent skin problems; she was fed dry food all her life because I didn't know any better and I suspect she was also hyperT. Here are some tips I learned with her that might help in the meantime:
  • Make sure you are feeding low carb, wet food only. No dry.
  • Supplement food with fish oil (NOT cod liver oil as it contains too much Vitamin A for cats).
  • Increase the frequency of your brushing and combing as this helps spread the natural oils.
  • Give a bath using WARM water (hot water will dry out the skin further) to wash away excess dander
  • Don't use flea and tick shampoos or medicated shampoos as this is harsh on their skin and may exacerbate the problem.
 
He likes baths. But I usually use flea and tick shampoo cuz that's all I can find. Does anyone have any suggestions. He hasn't gotten one since Christmas so he is due. I am working on getting him off dry food. My vet suggested giving him a month to switch. We been doing it about 4 or 5 days. I ran out of food and been sick. Just got to the store today. If someone could suggest something to wah him with and I will brush him I will see if that works. Brushing him would be good after testing him. Since he hates that but loves to be brushed.

Thanks
Niki and Oreo/Pudder
 
Getting him off the dry will help with getting him regulated, which in turn will help with the dandruff/dander. ;-) Don't worry; it's more of a marathon than a sprint. You'll get there and you've already started transitioning him so you're doing great!

One thing I wanted to clarify is that fish oil is not the same as feeding your cat fish (which is only recommended at most a couple of times a week). Fish oil does not contain fish protein (as long as it is high quality as poor quality may contain traces of fish protein). In fact, a lot of people and cats with fish allergies have no problem with fish oil.

For shampoo, you can check online for a mild or gentle shampoo. You can also make your own. Here's a recipe I found a few years back and have since lost its original source:
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup gentle/mild liquid soap (non-antibacterial, otherwise that also has the potential to dry him out more)
  • 4 cups water
 
If his coat is at all oily - and it can be even with a dandruff problem - you might try Dawn dishwashing liquid. Its what they use when de-oiling wildlife caught in an oil spill.

Note that excessive oils may cause the normal shedding of skin cells to clump and be more difficult to remove.
 
I had the exact same issue with Loki a few weeks ago and as good as he is with a water bath I did not want to upset anything or have him get a cold, so I used dry shampoo with a PH as close as I could to match ours, he did fine and did clean himself up and then had to deal with vomiting hair balls here and there but no other issues and his fur and skin looks and feels great. I must add that I am still trying to regulate him at this time.
Let us know how you make out.
 
Hi Niki,

Bertie used to have awful dander, but the more moisture/water I include in his diet the better his coat has become. I also include fish oils in his diet.

Is Oreo still on a dry diet? Things will improve as you switch him over to wet food, but this must only be done when you're comfortable with monitoring his blood glucose at home, because removing the dry food can really make the blood glucose levels drop in some cats (meaning less insulin is needed).

Things will also improve as Oreo's BG levels get more under control.

I used to make Bertie chicken broth (water that chicken has been simmered in) and freeze it in ice cube trays; and he'd drink loads of that, especially if it was warm. And I recently got a cat drinking fountain, and that has been a huge encouragement for him to drink. You can also add a little water to Oreo's food once you've switched to wet.
 
He does wet and dry right now. I just bought a bag of dry. And I can't swallow wasting 35.00. So I am going to give him wet and dry to that is gone. I am just on to tight of a budget. I can't throw that food away. That's a lot of groceries for me. His skin isn't really oily so the vet didn't suggest using Dawn. I will probably use that recipe that was given to me. That is when I am better and can get out of the house and can get the stuff. I will brush him today and see if it gets better. I am going to ask a stupid question. Everyone keeps saying BG. I am guessing that it is blood glucose but I don't want to assume. Am I right?

When I switch Oreo to just wet food. How much should I feed him? I am feeding him a fourth of a can of fantasy fest now. But when he just gets wet. How much does he get?

Thanks-
Niki and Oreo/Pudders
 
Yep your right BG stands for Blood Glucose, sorry sometimes we forget not everyone speaks our jargon.

As far as how much to feed him when he goes over to all wet, well that depends on how much he weighs or actually how much he is suppose to weigh when he is at his ideal weight. But the basic formula is 20 calories per pound of cat. But on average most spayed or neutered healthy adult housecats will eat about 5.5 - 6 oz of canned food per day for an average 10ish pound cat. Now I have a big lean fellow that tips the scales at 17lbs and he eats about 1 1/2 (5.5oz) can of Friskies, while my little 6lb girl eats about 3/4 of can. At least that is kind of a rough starting point, because it also depends on if they are very active or a couch potato, if they need to gain or lose weight etc.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
He's a big boy. Last time he went to the vet he weighted 17 pounds. They said he should weigh 10. He is a HUGE couch potato. He is so not interested in playing. Even has tons of toys. And isn't interested in any of them. Even bought him a laser pointer. And he was like what do I do with that. He sleeps and looks out the window. That is his life. Maybe I should ask the vet how much to feed him.


Niki and Oreo/Pudders
 
If he is suppose to weigh around 10lbs then he should only need about 2 cans of Fancy Feast a day since they are 3oz each, I know my 10 pounders eat a 5.5oz can of Friskies per day, but that is once he is regulated, while he is still unregulated he will need to eat more because his body can't use the food he is eating properly. Both of my diabetics before they were regulated were eating 2-3 cans a day of Friskies, even little Autumn who barely weighed 5lbs when I adopted her even though her ideal weight was 14lbs (she is a big framed girl). However, now that she is regulated she only eats 1 can a day and is maintaining her weight just fine. With cats like humans if you need them to gain weight you feed more, if you need them to lose weight you feed them less.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
That's interesting. So like a can in the morning and a can at night? Man I wish I would of never put him on dry food to start with. He didn't even start getting sick to I put him on IAMS. Than he went down hill. Not saying it was that food. I know his diabetes have a lot to do with his weight. But it still makes me wonder.

Niki and Oreo/Pudders
 
Well I feed mine 4 times a day so here it is a 1/4 of a can at each meal, but if you are only feeding twice a day then yes a can in the morning and a can at night.

I think most of us are kicking ourselves because we fed dry most of our cats lives but we didn't know better at the time and thought we were doing right by them, we can't go back in time and we can only go forward from here.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
Hi Niki,
I had a couple questions about the food you're using.
Is the dry food prescription? What kind?
Same about the canned, which brand and flavors?

I was reading some of your other threads....
Have you got all the bugs worked out on the testing?
Do you need help getting the speadsheet set up to upload it and make it visible by attaching it to your signature?

Carl
 
Please keep in mind that the food amount Mel suggested, is just a guideline.

I found in the beginning, Maui would eat 2-3 cans of fancy feast at one time - two to three times a day. Once her Bg's started to get under control, her need/demand for this amount lessened. So, don't just only give 2 cans a day - you may find you have a very hungry cat and will need to increase the amount of food accordingly.

Hope this helps.
 
Carl-
He is on Diabetic DM dry and I mix it with Fancy Fest wet. Right now I am exploring with flavors. Just doing anything without gravy or fish. I don't like the smell it makes me gag. I did some kind of fish and thought I was gonna die. I did get him tuna and he really liked that. And I could handle it. I am going to mix the food to his dry is gone. It is just to much money to waste.

I got the testing down to a science. I am writing down his numbers. I got the spread sheet figured out. I just gotta type in the numbers. I been sick so I am a little behind on that. When I get it all enter I will need help in getting it into my signature. But one thing at a time please. I guess one question I have is. Is it ok to test him and than feed him and give him his shot? Or should I wait some time?

Hillary-
I am going to keep a very close eye on him when I do switch him to all wet food. I am hoping I can do it on a weekend. I am home more on the weekends than I am during the week. It will also be nice that he won't need a shot every time he eats so I can have neighbors come feed him when I am not home. No one in my building will give him his shot because they are scared they will hurt him.

Thanks all for your help. And sorry it took so long to answer. It was a unusual busy weekend.

Niki and Oreo/Pudders
 
Niki,
No need to apologize for being sick or having a really busy weekend. Life happens:-)
Yes, the sequence you mentioned is good. Test first, feed, and shoot. You can wait a few minutes to give the shot if you want. Some people do the shot while kitty is eating and the cat rarely notices. But you can let him eat in peace and give the shot right after. That's how I did it with Bob when he was on insulin.
I will be glad to try to help get your speadsheet attached to your signature once you have the numbers put into it. So will lots of others if I don't happen to be online when you're ready.

Glad to hear you've got the testing down!

Carl
 
You are doing a fantastic job! Gobby had lots of dander at dx. It has gradually gotten better. Once he started grooming himself again, it helped a lot. I brush him everyday with a grooming product called "zoom groom". Its not really a brush, but is soft rubber and he loves it. I think the "teeth" stimulate his skin and coat. It's great for grooming and also for getting cat hair off bedding, furniture...
 
I've used it before on my cats. It might help with the dander problem.
How are things going, Niki?
Crl
 
They are very good. His glucose readings have gone from over 300 to 89 to 299 was his highest. I can't believe the difference in wet food. I am never giving a cat of mine dry food again. He is even more active. Which is nice but also like having a little kid in the house again. But deep down inside I like it. I am just so grateful I found this program. And someone to help me with him. So he can have a better life and I can get some help. We are at my parents for the weekend and they even made a comment about his behavior and how active he was. He will usually go under the bed and sleep. This time he didn't. Was out most the time socializing. So he is much better. Thanks so much for asking.

Niki and Oreo/Pudders.
 
I saw on the spreadsheet that you had gone to "wet food only", and dropped back down to 1 unit, and have been seeing lower numbers :-)
All of that is fantastic to see! As well as the update that he's acting like he's feeling better. That's awesome!

Keep us posted, and ask anything you want or need to ask.

Carl
 
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