I wonder if anyone can help.
I have a friend who has a cat who has a rash all over her belly and the insides of her hind legs.
My friend has been two two doctors and they don't know what the problem can be. I thought I'd post the question here, perhaps one of you had a similar experience.
My friend did tell me that her cat is extremely nervous of strangers. That the rash, as such, might be psychological.
Any idea anyone?
Oh and another thing ... might this rash and itching be treated with chamomile lotion or is this poisonous for cats? I know that a lot of stuff we use is not good for pets.
If she cannot get answers from her vets, then perhaps they can refer her to a vet dermatologist.
I will pass on that advise. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a vet dermatologist. Thank you.
other things to consider:
did your friend switch food recently? the cat could have an allergic reaction to a specific ingredient...
has the cat gotten into any of the plants? household chemicals?
insects?
I'll put these questions to her Ragdollmom, I don't know the cat personally, or her habits.
I doubt that she got in touch with chemicals, Zoe is very caring of her pets (she has two cats), but I'll mention your suggestions to her. Thank you.
I would also tend to think this could be linked to an allergy to cleaning products. The location of the rash is sometimes telling, sometimes not... It might be worth trying another gentler product for some time just to see if something happens. Diwan had a time a reaction to my fabric softener and I had to change it.
I don't think chamomille is harmful, but what else is in the lotion? Is it just chamomille water? I know I use hamamelis water when Diwan has his allergies and it seems to soothe him.
May friend Zoe says:
Thanks all! Food is the same - a few months ago I switched the dry food to lamb/rice instead of chicken (Pet Valu brand - it seems to have good ingredients). The wet food they eat is Precise - my 18 year old will only eat one flavour so that's what they get - the house vet told me she should not be eating anything with fish - it is too hard on the kidneys - so they get "mixed grill". Also, a good brand. There is a chance he is allergic to something in the food of course but over the years he didn't exhibit this problem. It actually started months ago though - and is just really bad right now.
I have NO chemicals in the house - ie I don't "disinfect". Baking soda and vinegar are the strongest things I use, if I use them at all. The floor gets swept and if it needs cleaning it is done with hot water.
The 18 year old is the one who likes to eat plants. He chomps sweetgrass that I have growing outside - but not as much as SHE does!
He may be allergic to the trees out back on my neighbour's property that drop stuff in my yard but this started in January before anything was really growing.
Shingles is a possibility - but he is really biting himself causing the red spots on his poor body. The vet who comes to the house tested him for diabetes (he IS a bit overweight) - but he is fine. The clinic I took him to insisted he is allergic to fleas and I insisted he does NOT have fleas! I would know. I've lived before with cats who had fleas and I knew, because the fleas like ME! Plus, the other cat is fine. There really is no sign of fleas.
I am hoping this homeopathic-oriented clinic will be able to diagnose and help.
Wanted to give you all another update.
Zoe took her kitty to the doctor tonight and this is what's happening (in her own words) ...
Kitty now has 2 liquids I'm to add to his food to help him detox. She said he has swollen lymph nodes - some more than others. Wants him to detox and we'll take it from there in 4-6 weeks. Ha - that was scary. $44 on cabs and $166 or so on the bill including the meds. I hope we get somewhere with this. She said not to get him vaccines for 4 years - to give his body a chance to balance. I like THAT take. She said it looked like allergies but maybe the detox will help.
This thread is 1.5 years old --