? Urgent Help Needed! Seeking Short Term Steroid Recommendation for Flea Irritation

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Tuxedo Mom said:
You can use standard Vit E capsules and just pierce the capsule to get the oil out. I would probably use a lower dose capsule such as 200 IU.
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Hi Mary Ann,

Hope your day is going well. I couldn't find any 200IU capsules free of iffy ingredients. :rolleyes: I've ordered these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BPTKEHY/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

I'm thinking of mixing the contents with an equivalent amount of coconut oil to reduce the concentration. Do you think that'd work?


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Hi Mary Ann,

Hope your day is going well. I couldn't find any 200IU capsules free of iffy ingredients. :rolleyes: I've ordered these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BPTKEHY/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

I'm thinking of mixing the contents with an equivalent amount of coconut oil to reduce the concentration. Do you think that'd work?


Mogs
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Thanks Mogs...trying to catch on sleep..neighbours down the street were partying outdoors until 4AM which is the time I am up anyway, so not much sleep last night :blackeye:

I have read mixed reviews on using coconut oil especially if there are any raw spots so I couldn't make a judgement call on that. You could mix it with some human grade mineral oil. There is nothing in that that could hurt Saoirse and even if she licks at it mineral oil is sage for ingesting
 
You could mix with a small quantity of vaseline which would make it a bit more 'sticky' to target the bad areas. Vaseline is fine for sore skin.
 
Hey Mogs....sorry to hear Saoirse isn't 100% again...that little girl sure is lucky to have such a wonderful and caring bean!!

I saw that you're worried about using DE......while you're right that pool grade DE is bad stuff, the kind we use around our pets is Food Grade....that's very important! It's great stuff, especially for treating around the house (both inside and out)

Here's a neat little article about it http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp

There are even some links to where to buy it in the UK at the bottom of the article.
 
@Tuxedo Mom, @Alexi -

I've got Vaseline. I'll try mixing the vitamin E with that. :)

@Chris & China -

Thanks for the link about DE. I had a read through of it. With my health problems I don't think I'd be able for the work that goes with use of the DE in the house. Might be worth considering for outdoors, though.


Mogs
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Itching is often caused by the skin being dried out from the oils being depleted, which licking can do both from the saliva and roughness of the tongue. I think a small layer may help as it replaces the oils, worth trying more Feliway as well?

Seems to be flea season started - I have just found one so everyone is getting a treatment in the morning. Fortunately I have hard floors at home so not as big an issue as with carpets but I get flea allergy too! Vaseline is also great for killing any live fleas you may find as it blocks all their breathing holes.
 
Thanks for the reply, Alexi. I'll try the Vaseline tonight plus more Feliway. I'm going to have to leave the Cone in place and that upsets me because she hates it. :(


Mogs
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DebG said:
You might want to try Pet Alive
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Do you have a web page link, Deb? The only thing I could find was a website in South Africa and I'm not sure whether they're the product range you're referring to. (I'm in the UK, BTW.)


Mogs
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I noticed Amazon carries some of the pet products. The website is www.nativeremedies.com they are all natural. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked for my son's little Zoe (Jack Russell) she was miserable before now all the symptoms are gone and one happy dog & son
 
{{{Mogs}}}

I'm so sorry poor Saoirse is dealing with yet another issue. I just wanted to chime in regarding the Prednisolone. My Harvey became diabetic because he was on 5 mg bid for his intestinal lymphoma. The oncologist cut him back to 2.5 once a day, and his numbers have come down to "normal" range, and his dose is down to 1 unit from 2. Not ideal for a cat with FD, but if it makes her feel better, isn't it better to increase her insulin for a while until she's better and can be weaned off the Pred than to let her suffer? Just my two cents' worth.

Sending anti-itch and healing vines and :bighug:s.
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
I just wanted to chime in regarding the Prednisolone. ... Not ideal for a cat with FD, but if it makes her feel better, isn't it better to increase her insulin for a while until she's better and can be weaned off the Pred than to let her suffer?
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Absolutely my thinking, too, Tricia. I need something that will help her round the clock and that will knock the irritation on the head. My well-intentioned vet is so wary of steroids for diabetics that I need to make the case with him for how it will benefit Saoirse and how I am I'm only too willing to work the insulin around the steroid treatment; her wellness is what matters and if she needs a larger insulin dose to make that happen that's OK. Thank you so much for posting details of your experience with Harvey's prednisolone treatment; it is really valuable information. Am I correct in understanding that you gave the medication orally?


Mogs
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Thanks, Tricia, for the additional info. Thank you, too, for the hugs 'n' vines; both very much appreciated. :bighug:


Mogs
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I give Fritz oral prednisolone in liquid.
You have to make sure in pill form it goes down you don't want it sitting in the esophagus. You can have it compounded from a compounding pharmacy.
With Fritz I put it in his wet raw food he doesn't mind it in there. Also if you do choose liquid it comes with syringe that you shake & tip the bottle upside down insert syringe and draw the amount you want out.
 
As far as I know, Prednisolone in the UK is only available in pill form for cats. But the pills are very small. They do however taste horrid, at least to human taste buds ( ;):rolleyes: ).

My (civvie) Sophie can't be pilled directly because of her sore mouth, so I crush the pill and mix it into a tiny amount of favourite soft food. There always seems to be a point where she clocks that maybe the food doesn't taste quite right, so at that point I sprinkle some crushed Thrive/Cosma treats on the top. I make sure she's left with a nice taste in her mouth. :)
In her case, there was improvement within about 36 - 48 hours of taking the Pred.

Keeping fingers, paws, and everything else crossed that you find something that works for your Saoirse, (((Mogs))).

Eliz
 
Hi Eliz,

Saoirse's OK to pill and I use the same technique as yourself with pills in food. Thanks for the offer of the capsules. If the vet does issue the Rx I will see how the pilling goes and if there's a problem I'll get back to you.


Mogs
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Just had a look at the side effect profile for prednisolone. It's got a caution about using it in patients with high blood pressure and risk of glaucoma. I don't know what to do. Saoirse's blood pressure is normal again today (anti-jinx) and she hasn't had any benazepril for several days (HDO monitor values: 146/111 optimised; 138/103 non-optimised; heart rate 144). I do wonder how much intermittent stress is a factor in the higher BP values. I think the Feliway may be helping a lot (@Alexi - thank you for this suggestion). She seems in better form for it and I think it may be having a subtle but positive influence on her appetite, too.

I'm finding this really hard going. (Anxiety levels are through the roof.) I just want Saoirse to be happy and comfortable.


Mogs
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Thanks, Diana.

I posted for help on L&L last night in the hope that someone there who doesn't post much on FH might have some ideas. Sienne recommended a product called Allerderm. I've asked the vets to order some. Vet is coming out to examine Saoirse tomorrow; he's worried about using steroids to try to help her.

On a positive note, Saoirse's opthalmology check-up went well today.


Mogs
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Looks promising, Mogs... Stay positive. You're doing everything you can. Maybe you can discuss your concerns about some of the suggestions made when you see the vet tomorrow.
I know how desperately you want to help Saiorse but I'm sure you're giving her extra TLC and she's with her mama so she is as happy and comfortable as she can be.
Hugs
Diana
 
If Saiorse is doing well with the Feliway then do consider a plug-in, they last a month or more and don't have any smell to them - at least not to a human nose! You don't have to run it all the time, I tend to use it for a few days at a time until everything settles down again. Steroids for a short time are very effective for itchy inflammation, even as short a period as a few days can be enough to break the itch-scratch-itch cycle, so don't discount them if your vet is happy to give them a go.
 
Hi @Alexi,

I got a diffuser refill today and I have it running at the moment! :) Thanks for the tips on how best to use it.

Re the steroids, it's me trying to convince our vet that they might help (he's very wary of prescribing them for diabetics). I'm desperate to do something to help break the cycle; Saoirse is absolutely miserable in the e-collar. It's making mealtimes very difficult, too. Her mood has deteriorated a lot this evening and even though she's hungry I'm having difficulty getting her to eat enough. :(


Mogs
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If you end up opting for dexamethasone just be aware that this steroid can raise BG levels quite a bit, so you would have to adjust your insulin. I use dexamethasone in one of the tests for Cushings's and Tuxie's numbers were through the roof for several days. But if it will help with the skin problem you are more than capable of altering doses for a few days. :bighug:
 
Hi all,

Vet came to examine Saoirse today. He was reluctant to prescribe the prednisolone tablets. Instead he has given me Cortavance, a topical steroid spray with active ingredient hydrocortisone aceponate (7 days on, 7 days off). It's only licensed in the UK for dogs but he says it's OK for cats and that the manufacturers probably just haven't bothered to apply for the feline licence. He's also ordering in the Allerderm spot-on and I should get that tomorrow. I'm hanging fire on the steroid spray until I try the Allerderm first. After Saoirse's painful reaction to the Isaderm I'm very nervous of using another topical steroid treatment for fear it may hurt her but what can I do? (Wondering if I could test it on myself?)

I don't know whether the vet truly realises what a huge issue it is for Saoirse to have to wear the cone. It is completely screwing with her mood and her eating. I had to resort to giving her another crumb of cypro to get some food into her; none of the other tricks work when she's like this. I'm going to look into another pet recovery suit for her (US one recommended on the other thread by Tricia) and I think I'm going to have to order another of the ones I already have in the meantime and try to work out some way to replace the bulky tail with something more comfortable for her. I'm wondering whether I could secure it round her rear legs if I was to use knicker elastic to make some straps?

I'm wrecked and quite frustrated with how this is panning out. One steroid jab sorted Lúnasa out when she had the flea reaction. I'm having to go all around the houses to try to find a solution for Saoirse which means she's experiencing discomfort for longer than possibly necessary. Surely a temporary adjustment to her insulin dose would be a faster and less stressful treatment option for Saoirse? Or is there some huge risk of long term problems that might arise from the short course of steroids of which I am unaware?


Mogs
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Mogs, oral steroids can raise BP in humans. I assume the same would be true for felines. Prednisolone is also not recommended for anyone with eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts etc . While a short course might not cause BP or eye issues, the potential is there, so your vet may just be erring on the side of caution given Saoirse's history. :( Fingers and paws crossed the Allerderm makes Saoirse more comfortable. :bighug::bighug::bighug: for you and
black-cat-smiley-emoticon.gif
for Saoirse!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Mogs, oral steroids can raise BP in humans. I assume the same would be true for felines. Prednisolone is also not recommended for anyone with eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts etc . While a short course might not cause BP or eye issues, the potential is there, so your vet may just be erring on the side of caution given Saoirse's history. :( Fingers and paws crossed the Allerderm makes Saoirse more comfortable. :bighug::bighug::bighug: for you and View attachment 20808 for Saoirse!
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True? My cat was prescribed that for glaucoma (eye since removed).
 
Sonya NZ said:
My cat was prescribed that for glaucoma (eye since removed).
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Interesting. The concern in humans is because of the fluid retention caused by steroids leading to possible increased ocular pressure (IOP) but it's quite possible cats are not effected by steroids in the same way as humans. Just speculation on my part of why the Mogs' vet might be so reluctant to give a short course to Saoirse.
 
Critter Mom said:
Or is there some huge risk of long term problems that might arise from the short course of steroids of which I am unaware?
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When weighing up whether to use steroids for Sophie I came across quite a few potential risks of long term use (which I since seem to have put to the back of my mind!).

But, all meds carry some degree of risk. It's a matter of trying to weigh up the potential risks and benefits of using them, and then doing whatever we think best.
In Sophie's case it was actually very simple; it was either trying the steroids for a while or facing having her PTS in the very near future (within days).
But, in fact, not only are the steroids keeping her alive (for the moment), but her quality of life has improved enormously.
We'll just have to deal with any side effects that the steroids might cause in the future (if she lives long enough to get them!). And if the steroids cause something that we can't fix then at least she'll have had this extended time of living, and of living well. And for that I'll be ever grateful.

I do so sympathise, Mogs. It can be very hard indeed sometimes to work out what to do for the best, especially when the kitty is older and has multiple health issues.

Hugs to you, :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Eliz
 
Thanks, Eliz. :bighug:

I'm really glad to hear that the treatment is doing so much to help Sophie. :)

I'm so frustrated at the moment. It's the protective devices that are causing Saoirse the biggest problems. :(


Mogs
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(((Mogs))) hang in there...take things day by day and hopefully Saiorse will soon feel an improvement.
Diana
 
Critter Mom said:
I'm sorry to hear your kitty lost an eye, Sonya. :bighug: Saoirse also lost one (due to uveitis) earlier this year.


Mogs
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I don't think he ever noticed (it's been about 6 years now). I think he felt alot better as he suddenly didn't have a constant headache. He damages his other eye frequently as I think his depth perception is off, and he gets twigs and stuff in it, but I have a wee stash of antibiotic eye drops. At 17 he still jumps to high places, eats exceptionally well, despite the hyperthryroid, CKD and skin cancer (diabetic in remission).
 
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