RE: OT: food allergic cat
Hi Leslie, Thanks for the raw diet tip, I couldn't get the link to work, but I'm sure I can find the group if I head over to Yahoo. I'm not quite ready to try raw yet, I guess our plan right now is to try the California Natural first, Hill's prescription second, and homemade third. He is healing, but still trying to scratch, so the collar stays on for now. :o( Thanks again, Beth
OT: food allergic cat
Hi Beth, If you are really thinking about raw, it can be kind of a mystery as to what to mix up, I used this recipe from a great Yahoo group called rawpaws. They are wonderful over there, really helpful. http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/oJ2aRe2OcxsgFRNi2lodQ_L8TqPraMmAbja6raOjjHI7rSafcI7bQ65b5I_o4z9fK8-6LeVeJMeUPMdt5owZsr02-lZs/RawPaws%20Start%20Up%20Guides/RawPaws%20Quick%20Start.pdf Actually as I look back at this, I think it's been updated and I may have to revise my recipe. I mix up two pounds of raw meat/bones at a time, keep a large Tupperware of my veggie mix frozen in the fridge to pull from and add in what else is needed, that keeps it semi-manageable, and if one type of meat isn't a favorite, it's not too long until the next batch needs to be made with something different. Hope this helps, Leslie
Re: OT: food allergic cat
HAPPY NEW YEAR, CAT PEOPLE!!! Thank you everyone for the responses to my food allergy question. I forgot you're all on vacation, I put my question out there and then left to get ready to visit friends for New Years Eve, y'all answered back right away and I wasn't home to read it... I'm pretty sure my vet said he didn't have a good way of testing for food allergies. :-( I'll question him on this again tomorrow, a simple blood test would be wonderful. I suspected a seafood allergy, (their wet food was Friskie's seafood flavors, not good but I was sick of throwing out untouched plates of EVO). The first food we tried when he started scratching was Wysong's Anergen lamb and rice, which is supposed to be hypoallergenic. It contains even more unusual ingredients than Wellness, including sage, rosemary, garlic, black pepper, and artichoke, plus they won't eat it. Innova Evo includes fish meal or herring as an ingredient. It is very difficult to find any food that doesn't. The best we could come up with over the counter was to find one without whole fish, but just fish oil as an ingredient further down the list. Thus the Wellness. I like the ingredients in the California Natural that Phaewryn suggests, nice short simple list without fish ingredients, but it says ADULT CAT FOOD in big letters across the front so I've always put it back. Four of my five are only 9 months old, I was committed to feeding a higher calorie kitten food until they are one year old, but maybe I'll have to bump up that time-line in light of Scooter's problem. I guess we'll try the Hill's prescription diet next, and then go from there, homeopathic if the diet doesn't work... Just as an aside, he is tolerating the collar really well. Our big girl bully Blue is afraid of it, he has realized this and is trying to establish dominance over Ms. Nasty. She kept going after Will and Dash the other night, Gary jumped out of bed twice to break up fights, finally she pinned one of them in the laundry room 'til they cried. Gary decided three times out of bed was enough, tried to catch her to lock her up in the spare bedroom for the night, she started running all over the front room with Gary right behind, and then Scooter decided to join in the chase. That collar is his Superman cape, gives him all the confidence he needs when dealing with Blue... :o) Thank you all again for the good advice, I'll let you know how it goes, Beth
Re: OT: food allergic cat
Thanks Marilyn, I don't mind the work if it helps us figure out this problem. I know I'm supposed to add some type of vitamins and bone meal if I do homemade, I'll check the archives and net for a recipe and supplement source. He's sleeping in my lap now. :o) Beth
Re: OT: food allergic cat
You wrote: Just my opinion, mind you, but the point of allergy diets is to eliminate possible allergens, to try to figure out what is the cause. So doesn't it make sense to use a food that eliminates MORE stuff rather than less? Phaewryn I totally agree, it is crazy how many extra natural things they throw in and then call a diet hypoallergenic. I have fed Blue the CalNat Herring and Sweet Potato in the past, she hated it first try, then seemed to like it on my next attempt. Then I switched to all kitten food for everyone to make it easier, so she hasn't had it in a while. I guess I could switch them all to an adult dry food free choice, and still supplement the others by feeding them a kitten wet while I lock-up Scooter. H... Thanks, Beth
OT: food allergic cat
I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot. Original Message: Michelle, I'm so glad you mentioned this. My Phelix has the same problem with pulling his hair out from his tummy and back legs...and he does tend to be involved in some sibling rivalry on a regualr basis. I'm going to go see the compounding pharmacist here. elizabeth On 12/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you are able to touch her ears, I would ask the vet to prescribe benadryl to be compounded at a compounding pharmacy into transdermal cream to rub inside her ear. My Patches has been on this for years for anxiety. She was prescribed it because she was pulling her fur out of her belly and back legs, and the benadryl stopped that. But she also used to go after the other cats, and the benadryl pretty much stopped that too. If I forget to give it to her, it is noticeable because she goes after Lucy and sometimes even me. With the benadryl she is pretty much fine. It does not seem to make her groggy at all-- she is quite perky and energetic-- but just takes the edge off I guess. Michelle
Re: OT: food allergic cat
There is some condition called militis, or something, that can cause itchy scabs around the head. Robert McDowell, a really good herbalist in Australia, had something about a treatment for it in his last newsletter. Here is his website: _http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/_ (http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/) . He does free online consults for animals. If you go to this link you will see a hyperlink for such consults. I would email him and see what he thinks. If there is something he thinks you can do at home without ordering something from him, he will tell you. If he thinks one of his herbal remedies will help, or that he can make something for him, he will tell you that too. I have found his remedies very helpful for me, my horse Pepsi when she was alive, and my dogs. I have never used one for a cat, but he recently started making things especially for cats and if he had something that seemed applicable to one of mine I would probably try it. Michelle In a message dated 12/31/2006 11:33:44 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot.
Re: OT: food allergic cat
Thanks Michelle, I'll head to that site next. Poor Scooter is sleeping in my lap now, resting his collared head on my arm. He is such a love, he looked suprised but didn't resist at all when I put it on him. Blue would have attacked, she blows a fit over Revolution drops on her back! Scooter couldn't hold a grudge if he tried... Beth
Re: OT: food allergic cat
*One of our cats Madison had horrible food allergies. She would projectile vomit... it was terrible. One time she twisted her intestine she was so sick (the twist actually required surgery to correct)! We took her and had allergy testing done... it was not much money considering what we've accomplished since then. When we found out she was allergic to nearly EVERYTHING... they gave us a list by manufacturer of what she could eat. I would suggest doing the allergy test, it's best for your kitty... and in the long run cheaper for you than trying a ton of medication and office visits. Madison needed no medication at all... we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.* *Leslie =^..^=* On 12/31/06, Gary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot. Original Message: Michelle, I'm so glad you mentioned this. My Phelix has the same problem with pulling his hair out from his tummy and back legs...and he does tend to be involved in some sibling rivalry on a regualr basis. I'm going to go see the compounding pharmacist here. elizabeth On 12/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you are able to touch her ears, I would ask the vet to prescribe benadryl to be compounded at a compounding pharmacy into transdermal cream to rub inside her ear. My Patches has been on this for years for anxiety. She was prescribed it because she was pulling her fur out of her belly and back legs, and the benadryl stopped that. But she also used to go after the other cats, and the benadryl pretty much stopped that too. If I forget to give it to her, it is noticeable because she goes after Lucy and sometimes even me. With the benadryl she is pretty much fine. It does not seem to make her groggy at all-- she is quite perky and energetic-- but just takes the edge off I guess. Michelle -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson
Re: OT: food allergic cat
*Our regular vet did the test... I will look to see where they sent it to be tested. And yes, it was a simple blood test. It has been a few years ago... but my recollection is that it was under $100 to have done. Madison has been a different cat since then! She is allergic to nearly everything... beef, turkey, flaxseed, you name it... We are convinced that she was abandoned because of her vomiting problem. She is a gorgeous weegie that had been declawed and ultimately found herself at animal control. She was our third cat and we were pretty naive to what was normal and what wasn't... but she is a completely different girl now (much happier, that's for sure!). I would highly recommend getting Phelix tested! I'll look up Madison's test and repost later...* *Leslie =^..^=* On 12/31/06, elizabeth trent [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Where did you go to get the allergy testing? A blood test, I presume? Was this a vet specialist who did this? Did they only test for food allergies? Sorry so many questions -- I'm just wondering if Phelix should be tested...if maybe we could send off to a lab to have it done since we don't have a vet that does anything like that here. elizabeth On 12/31/06, Leslie Lawther [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: *One of our cats Madison had horrible food allergies. She would projectile vomit... it was terrible. One time she twisted her intestine she was so sick (the twist actually required surgery to correct)! We took her and had allergy testing done... it was not much money considering what we've accomplished since then. When we found out she was allergic to nearly EVERYTHING... they gave us a list by manufacturer of what she could eat. I would suggest doing the allergy test, it's best for your kitty... and in the long run cheaper for you than trying a ton of medication and office visits. Madison needed no medication at all... we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. * *Leslie =^..^=* On 12/31/06, Gary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot. Original Message: Michelle, I'm so glad you mentioned this. My Phelix has the same problem with pulling his hair out from his tummy and back legs...and he does tend to be involved in some sibling rivalry on a regualr basis. I'm going to go see the compounding pharmacist here. elizabeth On 12/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you are able to touch her ears, I would ask the vet to prescribe benadryl to be compounded at a compounding pharmacy into transdermal cream to rub inside her ear. My Patches has been on this for years for anxiety. She was prescribed it because she was pulling her fur out of her belly and back legs, and the benadryl stopped that. But she also used to go after the other cats, and the benadryl pretty much stopped that too. If I forget to give it to her, it is noticeable because she goes after Lucy and sometimes even me. With the benadryl she is pretty much fine. It does not seem to make her groggy at all-- she is quite perky and energetic-- but just takes the edge off I guess. Michelle -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson
Re: OT: food allergic cat
Turkey appears to be a major cause of food allergies, especially the highly processed type we tend to feed cats. It caused problems for the Royal Princess Kitty Katt. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. St. Francis - Original Message - From: Leslie Lawther To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 2:47 PM Subject: Re: OT: food allergic cat Our regular vet did the test... I will look to see where they sent it to be tested. And yes, it was a simple blood test. It has been a few years ago... but my recollection is that it was under $100 to have done. Madison has been a different cat since then! She is allergic to nearly everything... beef, turkey, flaxseed, you name it... We are convinced that she was abandoned because of her vomiting problem. She is a gorgeous weegie that had been declawed and ultimately found herself at animal control. She was our third cat and we were pretty naive to what was normal and what wasn't... but she is a completely different girl now (much happier, that's for sure!). I would highly recommend getting Phelix tested! I'll look up Madison's test and repost later... Leslie =^..^= On 12/31/06, elizabeth trent [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Where did you go to get the allergy testing? A blood test, I presume? Was this a vet specialist who did this? Did they only test for food allergies? Sorry so many questions -- I'm just wondering if Phelix should be tested...if maybe we could send off to a lab to have it done since we don't have a vet that does anything like that here. elizabeth On 12/31/06, Leslie Lawther [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One of our cats Madison had horrible food allergies. She would projectile vomit... it was terrible. One time she twisted her intestine she was so sick (the twist actually required surgery to correct)! We took her and had allergy testing done... it was not much money considering what we've accomplished since then. When we found out she was allergic to nearly EVERYTHING... they gave us a list by manufacturer of what she could eat. I would suggest doing the allergy test, it's best for your kitty... and in the long run cheaper for you than trying a ton of medication and office visits. Madison needed no medication at all... we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Leslie =^..^= On 12/31/06, Gary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot. Original Message: Michelle, I'm so glad you mentioned this. My Phelix has the same problem with pulling his hair out from his tummy and back legs...and he does tend to be involved in some sibling rivalry on a regualr basis. I'm going to go see the compounding pharmacist here. elizabeth On 12/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you are able to touch her ears, I would ask the vet to prescribe benadryl to be compounded at a compounding pharmacy into transdermal cream to rub inside her ear. My Patches has been on this for years for anxiety. She was prescribed it because she was pulling her fur out of her belly and back legs, and the benadryl stopped that. But she also used to go after the other cats, and the benadryl pretty much stopped that too. If I forget to give it to her, it is noticeable
Re: OT: food allergic cat
Thank you, Leslie. I'll ask Dr. Reid about it next week. I'm so glad that Madison is doing well! elizabeth On 12/31/06, Leslie Lawther [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: *Our regular vet did the test... I will look to see where they sent it to be tested. And yes, it was a simple blood test. It has been a few years ago... but my recollection is that it was under $100 to have done. Madison has been a different cat since then! She is allergic to nearly everything... beef, turkey, flaxseed, you name it... We are convinced that she was abandoned because of her vomiting problem. She is a gorgeous weegie that had been declawed and ultimately found herself at animal control. She was our third cat and we were pretty naive to what was normal and what wasn't... but she is a completely different girl now (much happier, that's for sure!). I would highly recommend getting Phelix tested! I'll look up Madison's test and repost later... * *Leslie =^..^=* On 12/31/06, elizabeth trent [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Where did you go to get the allergy testing? A blood test, I presume? Was this a vet specialist who did this? Did they only test for food allergies? Sorry so many questions -- I'm just wondering if Phelix should be tested...if maybe we could send off to a lab to have it done since we don't have a vet that does anything like that here. elizabeth On 12/31/06, Leslie Lawther [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: *One of our cats Madison had horrible food allergies. She would projectile vomit... it was terrible. One time she twisted her intestine she was so sick (the twist actually required surgery to correct)! We took her and had allergy testing done... it was not much money considering what we've accomplished since then. When we found out she was allergic to nearly EVERYTHING... they gave us a list by manufacturer of what she could eat. I would suggest doing the allergy test, it's best for your kitty... and in the long run cheaper for you than trying a ton of medication and office visits. Madison needed no medication at all... we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. * *Leslie =^..^=* On 12/31/06, Gary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was also glad to see the Benadryl transdermal cream mentioned by Michelle, I am anxious to hear how it works for Elizabeth's Phelix. Our Scooter is having problems with an itchy head, our vet diagnosed food allergy and gave us an antibiotic powder to dry out the sores in front of his ears. We are faithfully putting the powder on twice a day and have now changed his diet to Natural Balance - Venison Green Pea, without success. He continued to scratch and one sore started creeping uncomfortably close to his eye, so we have resorted to an Elizabethan collar for now. I asked my vet about giving Benadryl orally, and he said it wouldn't do any good until we find the allergen and eliminate it. I will ask him for the transdermal cream on Tuesday. I have to do something for the poor guy, he can't just stay collared while I try one diet after another... Does anyone else out there have suggestions for an allergic cat? Anything homeopathic? Some type of soothing herbal mixture to cleanse the sores with? I am going to try a prescription allergy diet next, if that doesn't work I know of a local vet who offers some alternative therapies... Thanks, Beth, Blue, Moxie, Dash, Scooter, Will Feral, and Max the Parrot. Original Message: Michelle, I'm so glad you mentioned this. My Phelix has the same problem with pulling his hair out from his tummy and back legs...and he does tend to be involved in some sibling rivalry on a regualr basis. I'm going to go see the compounding pharmacist here. elizabeth On 12/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you are able to touch her ears, I would ask the vet to prescribe benadryl to be compounded at a compounding pharmacy into transdermal cream to rub inside her ear. My Patches has been on this for years for anxiety. She was prescribed it because she was pulling her fur out of her belly and back legs, and the benadryl stopped that. But she also used to go after the other cats, and the benadryl pretty much stopped that too. If I forget to give it to her, it is noticeable because she goes after Lucy and sometimes even me. With the benadryl she is pretty much fine. It does not seem to make her groggy at all-- she is quite perky and energetic-- but just takes the edge off I guess. Michelle -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a
