Flea allergy dermatitis question

[Missy & Kitty]

Hi everyone! I hope it's OK to post this question here.

I took Kitty to the vet almost 2 months ago for scabs on her neck and face. The vet said it was flea allergy dermatitis, and he gave her a cortisone shot. The scabs cleared up, but that's when I noticed her drinking lots of water and peeing a lot. I took her to the vet again and found out that she was diabetic. The vet said we could never give her cortisone again (thank goodness), but the scabs are coming back. He wants to use a topical antibiotic to keep any staph down. Has anyone else had any issues with flea allergy dermatitis? Is there something I can do without using an antibiotic?

He also wants to get her on a flea medication. What are some safe flea medications for diabetic cats? Kitty's numbers have been normal the last few days; the last thing I want to do is to make her BG get out of control. I've always been leery about flea medications anyway since they are full of chemicals. I don't want to do anything that would harm my cats. I gave one of my cats some worm medicine not too long ago, and he almost died. I'm scared about giving them anything now!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Most of us use Neosporin on our kitty's ears, so there's no reason you can't use a little on Kitty's back too. Just make sure to rub it in good to lesson the likelihood of Kitty licking it off.

As for the topical flea meds, I don't know any reason why you couldn't use them just because Kitty is diabetic, but I've never thought of it either. China is a little sensitive to those things so unless the fleas get into the house through the dog, I try not to use them on her (but I do keep the dog dosed) She'd slobber some after dosing, so if at all possible, I just don't use it on her

Did you have some LB action this morning? I know you were concerned about constipation last night

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I would suggest posting your question on the Health board, as well as here.

Marje and Ella use an allergy product, Allerplex. I don't know if this will help. My vet also recommended Zyrtec for allergy. I just don't know if these products will help with flea allergy dermatitis.

Does Kitty go outside? Frankly, if she's getting flea bites, you may really need to consider some kind of flea control. You may also need to check out if fleas are in the house.

 

[Missy & Kitty]

Most of us use Neosporin on our kitty's ears, so there's no reason you can't use a little on Kitty's back too. Just make sure to rub it in good to lesson the likelihood of Kitty licking it off.

OK, Il'l try putting some of that on her.

Did you have some LB action this morning? I know you were concerned about constipation last night

Yes! I posted an update on yesterday's post. She's all good.

I would suggest posting your question on the Health board, as well as here.

OK, I'll do that. Thanks!

Does Kitty go outside? Frankly, if she's getting flea bites, you may really need to consider some kind of flea control. You may also need to check out if fleas are in the house.

No, Kitty doesn't go outside, but my dogs do, and they bring fleas in. I have treated the yard multiple times, but the fleas are just so bad this year. I'll need to treat the animals, but in order to really help, I'd need to treat the yard again, vacuum every inch of my house, and treat the animals. With six cats and two dogs, flea medication will be expensive! nailbite_smile

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

The best solution to flea dermatitis is to get rid of the fleas. Tess will get bumps by her tail if we ever get any in the house. Even if the cat never goes outside, you can carry them in on your clothes. If they are on her they are also probably in your house , so a thorough cleaning of all carpeting and upholstery. Flea eggs and larva can survive for a long time until a host comes along.

Thoroughly vacuum or even clean carpets. Dusting diatomaceous earth can continue to kill eggs and larva, especially under cushions and furniture. It is safe except don't breath it in while spreading.

Keep ahead of the problem by making a simple flea trap. Fleas are attracted to light, put a dish of soapy water under a night light. Soapy water kills fleas almost immediately, they jump toward the light and land in the dish. Goodbye flea! It is a great way to get early warning on any new flea activity before they have a chance to nosh on you cat too. If you don't want that in you living room there are commercial ones too.

This is a good article covering many natural flea control methods.

I hate putting the topicals on Tess too, but I think they are less harmful than some of the treatments for the dermatitis. If you really have a problem and won't use the drops try Flea Treats. They are a Vitamin B treat that Tess loves. I'm not positive it totally works, but better than nothing and Vitamin B is good for her anyway. I give them to Emma who does go out and I only have to put drops on her every few months, but I flea comb regularly to check.

If you do decide to go w/ the topicals here is an article that lets you figure out a more precise dosage for flea meds. You can buy larger dog doses of some and apply w/ a needleless syringe.

 

[mtncat58]

My ex's cat has had the same problem they finaly gave him a treatment called A tipacol solution it has helped a lot but not cheap.As for fleas outside best stuff I have found is Virbac Knockout E.S.it's with NYLAR Insect Growth Regulator you can get it from your vet and it does work I did a room at a time when my house got infected "MY cats are indoor too"came in on my clothes I live in a very wet climate fleas never go dominant. My cats were fine this stuff dries fast then vacuum you can use outside on grass works better then Diatomceous earth and that has always been my first choice. I was never told not to use flea treatment but I use Advantage 2 never had a problem.
Cortisone really does cause problems Lucky had high blood sugar levels from it but I changed his food and his levels came down at the time I had him on Royal Canin CM it did the job hadn't seen FD until Feb of this year. I feed no dry anymore but at time did. Have they ran a full test o kitty for diabetes? Hope this helps

 

[Missy & Kitty]

Thank you, Ann! This is all great info! On the Flea Treats, I read on their site that it could affect how much insulin you should give a diabetic cat; did your vet say anything about that? Kitty's numbers have been great lately, so I don't want to rock the boat! Ha! Those treats sound awesome if they are safe for her and they work!

I made one of those traps with a nightlight once. I put the bowl near the dog's bed, and in the morning, some of the water was gone. One of the dogs drank it! I'll check out the electric kind.

As for fleas outside best stuff I have found is Virbac Knockout E.S.it's with NYLAR Insect Growth Regulator

I've never heard of it; I'll look into it!

Cortisone really does cause problems

Agreed! When I took Kitty to the vet because of the water/pee amount, he wanted to keep her over the weekend to see if a short-term insulin would fix it. He wasn't sure if her high BG was because she really was diabetic, or if it was a side effect of the cortisone. After testing, he said she was diabetic, but the cortisone aggravated the pancreas. :/ No more cortisone for any of my animals!

Have they ran a full test o kitty for diabetes?

All the vet did was do a BG test on her. He didn't test for ketones. Her BG that first day was 500. While he was trying to regulate her at the vet's office, her numbers were all over the place. Since she's been home, I've started her on a different insulin and no dry food..only Friskies pate food, and her numbers have been great.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

FWIW, the Virbac product is available on Amazon.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

If you're going to use diatomaceous earth, you need FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth. NOT the one for swimming pools!!!! It has dangerous chemicals with it.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Tess has been getting them for over a year and I haven't noticed a difference in her insulin needs. Our vet was skeptical about how well they would work but so no problem w/ giving them to Tess. Since we monitor so closely, there should be no problem. I went back to reread the Q & A , they didn't say which way they thought it might effect BG, probably just playing it safe as most beans don't test BG often if at all. Also many here give B vitamin supplements for neuropathy and other reasons.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Lyressa, the link I gave her is for foods grade DE.

 

[mtncat58]

I used DE in my garden to keep all the bugs away and it's safe, if you are really infested Growth Regulator is the only sure way to rid for ever, it kills the eggs for good.Hope you get it figured out, good luck hate fleas :smile:

 

[Missy & Kitty]

I used DE in my garden to keep all the bugs away and it's safe

I believe I'm going to get some of this and use it in the house. It has been dry in our area for a while, but apparently even dew can make it ineffective, so maybe I shouldn't put it in the yard. I remember a long time ago, my Mom would put some in a jar and poke holes in the lid. She'd sprinkle it on the dogs and rub it in. I don't know if that works or not, but we always made sure to cover their faces so they didn't breathe it in.

I was worried about what would happen to your lungs if you breathe it in. The site says it doesn't hurt you, so I guess it's safe. I'll do some more research on it. My Mom died in 2011 from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Something irritated her lungs so much that it caused irreversible scarring of the lungs. Since it couldn't be determined what it was, I get nervous around chemicals and stuff that can irritate your lungs.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Basically DE is the fossilized shells of diatom, basically silica, not a chemical. It is sharp though so I would avoid breathing it. I got their duster and it works pretty well but you have to keep shaking it up.