help!

[ToscasMom]

Oh absolutely, Erica. That's why it's important to check with your vet, God knows he's seen enough of it to make a close up guess. I still wouldn't rule out granulona, especially since that open sore is on the neck. The vet will be able to better decide. She might even be reacting to her flea meds. Can be a whole bunch of possibilities. By the way, what are you feeding her?

 

[Erica1989]

She's eating purina one (indoor formula?), I believe. My dads in charge of buying the cats food. We have 4 cats...I know it's not the best food out there, but they all do very well on it, always have. They eat strickly dry food, no canned.

 

[ToscasMom]

I couldn't find that post you quoted. Did you get a PM? If so it might be from a vet on the board, which would be great.

 

[Erica1989]

oh, sorry. I looked it up online. I included the link at the bottom, http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/catallergy.html

 

[ToscasMom]

No it's not the best food, and in the end it's more expensive than say, Felidae, because your cats eat far more of it. But we will save that for another day.


But I would like you to know that eating only dry is not the best idea. Cats are not great drinkers and you want to sneak in that water that you can get from canned. It helps to avoid feline urological syndrome, especially in male neuters. I hope you will consider adding some canned to their diets.

 

[Erica1989]

We used to give them some canned food, one of my cats had horrible teeth, but since we got him his dental surgery, he seems to enjoy eating the dry food more. They don't get many treats, two of them are already a bit chunky (or big boned as we like to say). They do get catnip on occasion, and my dad gives them meat and cheese when he is cooking.
I know it's not the best food, and I have argued that point with my dad many times. The way I see it, the cats are (or at least were) not suffering, and if he wants to shell out the money for it, let him... their coats are shinny, they don't shed too much (all cats shed... unfortunatly =])
My cats are free feeders, we don't feed them at a certain time, and we usually have a few foster kittens running around or a cat that we are cat sitting, so feeding them at a certain time really won't work for our house...

if it's the food that is causing a problem with Tillie, we will change it to whatever it needs to be. She was on a perscription diet for a while when she had problems with her kidneys, but we ran out and the vets office was also out, so they all went back on purina, and have been fine for the past 5 years.

 

[noludoru]

I'm sorry Erica--she looks terrible. I hope she gets better soon.

If she does eventually need to be switched to something for her allergies, you should start out with something that has simple ingredients... California Natural is a good place to look for that, unless you want to make the meals yourself.

Oh, and one thing about wet food--it really helps the kitties lose weight. I have a 'big boned' kitty and she is slowly but surely losing weight and coming closer to what she should be. Knowing her, the second I get her down to a good weight, she's going to figure out the lock on the closet where we keep their food and have an all you can eat buffet, though.

 

[ToscasMom]

Erica, please do NOT let your vet talk you into that expensive science diet. Vets push it and it really IS crap. Trust us on this.

If you want a food that isn't overly pricey among the premium foods, but will actually cost less than ONE in the long run (because your cats will eat less) try Felidae.

The foods in the supermarket really aren't cheaper because you feed more, they are mostly fillers and they are mostly full of ingredients that cause allergies, like corn, and wheat etc.

 

[ToscasMom]

You mention kidney problems.Did she have stones or bladder infection? If so, you want to make sure she gets some canned food along with the dry. Keep her hydrated and those kidneys flushing.

 

[Erica1989]

I'm not sure what the problem was exactly, my mom might know, she handled all of that stuff. We had just moved down here and I was a total reck thinking I was going to loose my princess.
I know, NOW, that the vet food is total BS. The only perscription diet I will feed my animals is ID or AD food, and only in certain circumstances, and I only feed the canned of that.
Casey eats Blue Buffalo dog food, do they make cat food too? He really likes his food... and so do the boy cats (I catch them sneaking a snack here and there). I'll have to look that one up.
The only problem that I see with the canned food is I would have to feed her seperatly (which in the long run is NOT a huge deal) while she is THE boss cat, the boys will try to push her out of the way for canned food, if they haven't had it in a while. That wasn't a problem when her brother was still with us, those two ruled my house with an iron paw. But they know that he's not here any more and are trying to take over... she's not being bullied, just doesn't have as much authority as she used to...

 

[Erica1989]

another question, just kinda came to me..
can allergies be heightened by stress? We lost her brother back in March, I thought she would be greatly depressed by it (they were litter mates, we've had them since they were about 6 weeks old), but she seemed to handle it ok. But last week, I was dog sitting 2 jrts and a boston, could that maybe have freaked her out a lot more? She's used to dogs, but not that high energy... and puppies stay away from her...

 

[ToscasMom]

Yes I have seen cats overlick/overgroom due to stress too. You may find yourself in a trial and error situation to solve it. Cats are funny that way. They keep their feelings to themselves and you have to go by subtle hints.

Long as I can remember, I have always had at least one cat who needed to be fed canned food separately. It's not really that big of a problem though is it? She might appreciate the special attention besides.

But they know that he's not here any more and are trying to take over... she's not being bullied, just doesn't have as much authority as she used to...

This is important information to you.

 

[noludoru]

For separate feedings, just enclose her (preferably with you) in a room away from the other kitties and give her the food.

And yes, Blue Buffalo makes cat food..... but there are many other higher quality brands (plenty you can get for a the same price or only a little more if you shop around! I think someone mentioned to me today she gets Chicken Soup For The Catlover's Soul at $18 for 12lbs, and it's a pretty good food--better than either you mentioned...). I live in the middle of nowhere and found a store very near me that sells all kinds of high quality foods for fairly good prices.... not as good as petfooddirect, but not majorly inflated, either.

 

[ToscasMom]

Someone mentioned in another thread that Chicken soup has menadione in it. That's too bad because cat's love it.

 

[Erica1989]

The reason I like Blue, besides that it was developed after their dog came down with cancer,
No Animal By-Products
No Artificial Preservatives
No Corn, Wheat or Soy
Those are many times the sources of allergies... I'm not against trying something different, I'm open to all suggestions! My cats are not picky eaters, I'm sure they would eat anything placed in front of them....I signed up for a free sample of the blue cat food, that won't be here for another week or two, but I will see how they like it. Even if it's not allergies, my mom is on my side to switch their food... now we just have to convience my stubborn Irish/German father....
She goes to the vet first thing tomorrow morning, so we will find out then if it is indeed allergies or not. I will be sure to post an update once I find out more of what's going on.

 

[Erica1989]

OK. We are back from the vet. She said allergies, from what? We aren't sure. She said we could send her to the skin doctor, but we are trying meds first.
She has her on 8.5 mg of prednisone 2 times daily for 5 days.
Then cutting back to 5 mg 2 times daily for 3 days.
Then 5 mg every other day until they are gone.
She said this should clear up her skin, but she will be drinking and unrinating more during the day - not a big deal. She's got water all over this house and 4 litter boxes she can choose to use.
She reccommended that I not change the food until after we are done with the meds. I'm a little concerned about changing the food after her skin clears up, I don't want it to flare up again...I'll ask her more about that when I call in to check up after a few days of pred.

 

[ToscasMom]

I'm not surprised. I knew the pred was coming, and finding what the cat might be allergic too is really trial and error. Same as with people. Process of elimination.

The meds will clear it up very well, but be careful with the pred and follow the instructions EXACTLY. you have to wean them off it or it can be dangerous.

 

[Erica1989]

I know, I have dealt with pred a lot at work... I wasn't thrilled about putting her on it, but if it's going to help her, I will do it. She does not like to be pilled though, so these next few weeks will be interesting...
I will probably switch her food once the meds are done to something with no wheat, corn, etc. If my dad protests, I will just pay for it, I can afford it. Money is no issue when it comes to my animals...

 

[ToscasMom]

I am absolutely POSITIVE you will solve it because it is obvious that you REALLY love that cat.

 

[Boemy]

Erica, do your parents have Costco membership? Costco's brand, Kirkland, is much better than what your dad is feeding the cats and it's sure to be less expensive. So if nothing else, try to get him to switch to Costco's brand! The first few ingredients are real chicken, it doesn't contain corn, etc.