Itching issue - New member May 19, 2021

[emm gee]

Hi there,
My cat is (almost) 11 years old. Two years ago she was diagnosed with Diabetes. Since then, we have been giving her insulin and diabetic food only. We noticed around the same time she started to get insulin, she started to itch, a lot. This does not happen all the time, and seems to come and go. We have switched the Vet diabetic food to a different brand, tried wet and dry food of each brand. Nothing seems to help.

She does not go outside, there is no other environmental issues that have changed for it to be allergies (that I can think of). We use stainless steel bowls, and wash them regularly.

Our vet has prescribed this bio-derm wash that helps a little for a day, then it starts up again. Our vet also recommended an omega 3 supplement we put in her food every day. It does not help. The vet seem kind of stuck as they cannot give anti-biotics due to the diabetes and they do not know what is causing this.

It seems to be getting worse lately and it breaks my heart that I cannot help. I try and put a little coconut oil on the red areas to help sooth, but I wonder if there is something better to help?

The scratching is on her head, by her eyes and ears. She also gets itchy on her back just below where we give her the insulin shots, but it is not as bad as her face.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Emmy]

I am no expert. Just a person with a diabetic cat whose currently in remission and a second younger cat who has recently developed itchy skin, or something, because she has a few bald patches from over grooming. So your itchy issue caught my eye. I took my Ady to vet to eliminate possibilities of anything contagious, which she did. Ady is also indoor. It wasn't fleas (allergy), or ringworm (fungus), according to vet. The vet suggested broad testing for underlying medical causes. I declined those for now, while I approach it from a behavioral p.o.v. because she is totally rambunctious and functional. Maybe your kitty is scratching, not grooming, so maybe hair loss isn't an issue. If it is hair loss, location gives clues. If it is itching, location gives clues. This is all probably not new to you. I can empathize though, because it is maddening and distressing to see kitties like this. The vet wanted me to start Science Diet ZD. I won't do that. I won't do any Science Diet or Royal Canine which vets traditionally have turned to for prescription diets. They are formulated to address issues but still have too many carbs. For the money there are lots of high quality food options; one just have to find them, a daunting task. I am holding back on fish as much as I can. I had recently been feeding more fish and the vet said that can be an allergen, which surprised me . If Ady gets better I may introduce fish again slowly to see how she does. Because I also began giving her Homeopet Skin & Itch tincture in her food now, according to instructions on package. I think it seems to be working but it's too soon to say for sure and I'm trying to address anxiety and boredom at the same time. I think the Homeopet Skin & Itch is an interim measure I could safely take while I try to get to the underlying cause. With allergens though--omg--there's so many things it could be--especially in a place changing from winter to Spring. I don't know if any of this will help you. Best to you!

 

[tiffmaxee]

Do you see a rash or red marks anywhere? She could be having a reaction to the food. Diabetic food is not needed. You just need a high quality low carb food.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Sheba my diabetic cat was getting Hills diabetic food and developed diarrhoea which would not go away. Finally after trying everything I changed her to another type of low carb food , not prescription, and then to a home made diet and the diarrhoea disappeared. I’m quite sure it was the prescription food.
I also have another cat who gets itchy around the head, eyes and feet. And her eyes water and can swell up. I give her 1/2 Zyrtec with good effect. I have also found she is allergic to pork and chicken through elimination.

 

[Emmy]

Do you see a rash or red marks anywhere? She could be having a reaction to the food. Diabetic food is not needed. You just need a high quality low carb food.

I don't give either of them prescription food. I've been giving them low carb low glycemic food, yes. There are always new foods coming out and I wondered what others are finding these days. No rash or red marks. Just patches of fur gone. She's regularly eaten chicken all her life, and she's had pork in the past. But I read cats can develop a reaction to food after eating it. Thanks for your response.

 

[Emmy]

Sheba my diabetic cat was getting Hills diabetic food and developed diarrhoea which would not go away. Finally after trying everything I changed her to another type of low carb food , not prescription, and then to a home made diet and the diarrhoea disappeared. I’m quite sure it was the prescription food.
I also have another cat who gets itchy around the head, eyes and feet. And her eyes water and can swell up. I give her 1/2 Zyrtec with good effect. I have also found she is allergic to pork and chicken through elimination.

Thanks for your reply. I'm trying Homeopet Skin and Itch to address possible itchiness. I wouldn't feed Hill's either, mainly because Hill's still has corn products in it. Right now I'm trying to keep fish out of her diet. How long did you have to restrict intake of the suspected allergen before the symptoms resolved?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

What insulin are you using? While an allergic reaction is unusual, it could happen. It may be worth giving a different insulin a try. The currently recommended insulins for cats are Lantus (glargine) or Prozinc.

 

[emm gee]

I am no expert. Just a person with a diabetic cat whose currently in remission and a second younger cat who has recently developed itchy skin, or something, because she has a few bald patches from over grooming. So your itchy issue caught my eye. I took my Ady to vet to eliminate possibilities of anything contagious, which she did. Ady is also indoor. It wasn't fleas (allergy), or ringworm (fungus), according to vet. The vet suggested broad testing for underlying medical causes. I declined those for now, while I approach it from a behavioral p.o.v. because she is totally rambunctious and functional. Maybe your kitty is scratching, not grooming, so maybe hair loss isn't an issue. If it is hair loss, location gives clues. If it is itching, location gives clues. This is all probably not new to you. I can empathize though, because it is maddening and distressing to see kitties like this. The vet wanted me to start Science Diet ZD. I won't do that. I won't do any Science Diet or Royal Canine which vets traditionally have turned to for prescription diets. They are formulated to address issues but still have too many carbs. For the money there are lots of high quality food options; one just have to find them, a daunting task. I am holding back on fish as much as I can. I had recently been feeding more fish and the vet said that can be an allergen, which surprised me . If Ady gets better I may introduce fish again slowly to see how she does. Because I also began giving her Homeopet Skin & Itch tincture in her food now, according to instructions on package. I think it seems to be working but it's too soon to say for sure and I'm trying to address anxiety and boredom at the same time. I think the Homeopet Skin & Itch is an interim measure I could safely take while I try to get to the underlying cause. With allergens though--omg--there's so many things it could be--especially in a place changing from winter to Spring. I don't know if any of this will help you. Best to you!

Thanks! I have ordered it and I will see if it helps.

 

[emm gee]

Do you see a rash or red marks anywhere? She could be having a reaction to the food. Diabetic food is not needed. You just need a high quality low carb food.

No, I don't. I have changed food as I mentioned and it made no difference. The vet does not think it is allergies either!

 

[emm gee]

What insulin are you using? While an allergic reaction is unusual, it could happen. It may be worth giving a different insulin a try. The currently recommended insulins for cats are Lantus (glargine) or Prozinc.

I am using Lantus . I did not know there was another type we could try! I will talk to the vet. Thanks!

 

[Emmy]

I am using Lantus . I did not know there was another type we could try! I will talk to the vet. Thanks!

I tried Prozinc, Lantus, and finally got Mabel stabilized on Levemir. This was not because of an allergy. I changed in order to get her stabilized. Levemir lasts longer and the time can be variable for awhile. Thus, one has to diligently measure blood sugar or there's a risk of giving insulin when the cat doesn't need it. I believe it's a bit more demanding of one's time to use Levemir, therefore.