Itchy Civvie Advice

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bettyandhank

bettyandhank

Member Since 2010
My civvie has recurring issues with itchy scabby hotspots for a long time. I mostly assumed and blamed his skins issues on his still eating dry food. I tried everything under the sun to convert him when I switched Hank to all canned 4 years ago when he was first DX. But civvie was hard core resistant so I ended up feeding him Evo (kibble) the lowest carb I could find then. As time has gone by I wondered if perhaps the skin issues were allergy related and maybe even to something in the Evo itself. It's all he seemed to want yet it also at times seemed to make him sick. (periods of vomiting even) But after nultiple recalls last year I was forced again to try to find alternatives. Not much low carb kibble out there, ya know. The good news is he FINALLy began eating more wet (never give up- turns out he likes FF) He still doesn't eat enough wet for full sustenance, but I thought his skin issues seemed much better. I had also switched his kibble to a new brand several months back. So between the two things was leaning toward something in the Evo being the culprit. His skin seemed improved but alas we are back to him itching like crazy and seeming pretty miserable.
I have no certainty of what the underlying issue is. it seems like you can only guess. This cat is extremely picky and not very food motivated, so very difficult for food trials...though he is now eating some canned..and he loves boiled chicken which he gets for treats. But if he does not want to eat something he will go on hunger strike. He has noticeably lost weight over the last several years...looks older than Hank even though they are the same age.
I just want to try to do something for him right now as he is really itchy and uncomfortable. he has scabbys all over, partially from incessant scratching.

I am looking at some of the over the counter stuff I have at the house and what might help him most and offer some relief. but also be safe in case he licks/ingests any. I want to avoid steroids for obvious reasons...even topical ones.

Here are some things I already have on hand: Can any one suggest or comment on which may be best options?
I have no idea how you figure out what the cause may really be with certainty.

I did have a vet tech mention you can give 1mg benadryl/ per lb weight which would be 11+ mg for Elvis. This makes me nervous though, I barely take 1/2 one cap.myself for the occasional sleep aid, and it knocks my lights out. This would be almost that same dose. Would you give oral benadryl to your cat?..I am not sure if I am comfortable doing that. Maybe just something topical.

Anyway, here are some things I have around. I linked rather than listing the long ingredients. Need to be sure safe to lick.

Calagel - http://www.teclabsinc.com/tips-info/product-labels/calagel-label
Tricalm- http://www.tricalm.com/uses http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/tricalm-steroid-free-hydrogel/ID=prod6174921-product
Wal-dryl http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-wal-dryl-anti-itch-cream/ID=prod392361-product
Neosporin Eczema Essentials (moisture cream) http://www.neosporin.com/products/eczema-treatment-products/daily-moisturizing-eczema-cream
also have basic topical hydrocortisone (probably out of date)- but steroid so makes me nervous

Appreciate any feedback on these and/or other wisdom/suggestions.

thanks!
 
Hi!

Awww...so tough to feel itchiness! Perhaps, you'd like to try VETERICYN spray for skin conditions and cuts. It can be purchased via Amazon or other internet places. It's safe for cats to lick. My daughter has used it for years on her cats, dogs, horses. You probably already know that if you use this site's "shop" button above, this website will get a bit of money from the retailer.
Best wishes, Sophie
 
Look for feline essential fatty acid supplements - ex fish oil. Sometimes they can help.
 
So ixnay on any/all of the above? I already have these on hand and would put some on now

And how to figure out what the underlying issue is?
 
They can be applied topically or given orally, safely.

Let's check the Merck Veterinary Manual on
Pruritis
Treatment

Successful therapy depends on identification of the underlying cause. Patients with idiopathic pruritus or those in which treatment of the underlying disease does not eliminate the pruritus (eg, atopic patients) require medical management of pruritus. Currently, evidence-based reviews of antipruritic do not support the use of antihistamines to control pruritus.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are rarely effective as sole antipruritic agents and are not suitable for acute flares of pruritus. If they are beneficial, it is a longterm therapy.

Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids are the most effective drugs in the management of pruritus. However, they cannot be used safely for longterm management because of adverse effects (eg, suppression of adrenal function, risk of development of diabetes mellitus, risk of secondary urinary tract infections). In addition, owners can rarely tolerate the common adverse effects (polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and panting) for long periods. Anti-inflammatory dosages range from 0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day, PO, for 5–10 days and then every other day. Topical spray formulations of triamcinolone acetate are highly effective and good alternatives to oral steroids.

Other Systemic Antipruritic Agents

Cyclosporine modified is a highly effective nonsteroidal drug for control of pruritus. The only formulation that can be used is modified cyclosporine. The dosage is 5 mg/kg for dogs and 7 mg/kg for cats. Maximal benefit can take as long as 30 days to observe. Once efficacy is established, dose tapering to every other day can be attempted. Common adverse effects include vomiting and diarrhea (common) and gingival hyperplasia (less common). s. Another new drug for control of pruritus in dogs is oclacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that provides rapid relief from pruritus and inflammation in dogs with short- and longterm allergic skin disease.
Click to expand...

Atopic Dermatitis.
Overview of Fleas and Flea Allergy Dermatitis

I would not use the products for humans unless they are also veterinary products. They could be toxic to cats.
 
Hi, again
I don't know if it's safe for your cat to lick any of the preparations you have on hand. I'll leave that for others to comment.

Fish oil might help from inside out and not just provide symptomatic relief, though, it never helped my Pudge when he itched in his pre-diabetic times. He lost a lot of fur on his belly, eventually, I attribute it to the clay-based litter used - I use World's Best (corn-based) litter now. Some 2 - 3 years later he became diabetic (he's currently a diet-controlled diabetic). Check your civvie's BG & have your vet check for any kidney issues.

Even a single flea bite can cause a severe skin reaction in susceptible cats.

Allergies? Fish & beef can cause allergic reactions.

My daughter's Utah-based cat had to stop visiting me in So. California because occasionally she'd come down with itchiness. Never figured out what caused it but, just like you, didn't want further steroid shots (ignorance is not bliss!). No fleas where, Bella, the cat is located high in the mountains of Utah.

It's tough to determine the exact cause!
Best wishes, Sophie
 
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