[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:	Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:	FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:	MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO

Created:	Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5089
Total number of notes:	60366

513.0. "flea allergies and skin problems" by PSW::WINALSKI (Paul S. Winalski) Sun Mar 15 1987 17:07

Jennyanydots had a long bout with fleas during the fall.  The fleas are
gone now, but they have left behind what the vet has diagnosed as flea
allergy-induced dermatitis.  Before the last of the fleas were gone, Jenny
had nasty-looking red sores, and brittle fur that was coming out in patches.
Now that the fleas are gone, the sores have healed, but her fur is still
brittle and thin in patches, and she is sensitive to being touched
there.  Her fur also seems very dry and has scales in it like dandruff.
She isn't grooming herself well in the affected areas, either.  Just recently
I've noticed little black dots on her skin.  I mistook them for flea dirt
at first, but they are actually on her skin, not dirt.

This has been going on for some weeks since the fleas departed, and it's
awfully hard to tell if the condition is improving (the sores healing up
was definitely an improvement, though).

Has anybody else had experience with flea-induced allergic dermatitis in cats?
How long does it take for the fur to grow back?

--PSW

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
513.1	try this	USHS01::MCALLISTER	TARDIS Sales and Service Co.	`Sun Mar 15 1987 19:49`	7
	It took nikki about 2-3 months to regrow her fur, on a diet strong with protein and b vitamins. If you haven't increased the B vitamins then try that. Might also try rubbing some E vitamin oil into the skin areas, and if it is tender (or she is biting or scratching, etc), a shot of cortisone did wonders for nikki. Dave
513.2		PUZZLE::CORDESJA		`Mon Mar 16 1987 14:59`	6
	An orphan that I took in had this problem also. The fur is just now starting to grow back and it has been a month. My vet gave us a cortisone cream to apply to the skin as well as giving her the shot. JoAnn
513.3		PSW::WINALSKI	Paul S. Winalski	`Thu Mar 19 1987 16:06`	9
	Jennyanydots went in to the vet yesterday to get this looked at. The vet gave her a cortisone shot and prescribed a fatty acid and zinc nutritional supplement to help rebuild her skin and prevent dryness. Furthermore, I have to shampoo her once a week with a hypoallergenic shampoo. The cortisone shot seems to have stopped the itchiness and sensitivity of the skin just like that! --PSW
513.4	Itchy Kitties	DPDMAI::BALL		`Tue Jun 09 1987 13:02`	20
	Corkie has a severe allergy to fleas. Moving to Dallas was the best thing we ever did because so far I've had no flea problems here, (she stays inside now always), but it took about 4 months for her fur to grow back and there are still places that aren't quite as full. Don't be surprised if it grows back a different color either. The damage to the skin has something to do with it. My shaded silver persian now has some peachy colored spots on her because of this. A good multi-vitamin with PABA (just like for people) available from your vet, will help skin and fur return to its normal lustre. Be careful about too many baths. Even the most emollient shampoos can be drying to the skin. Also, really watch the cortisone. It may help stop the itchiness and scratching, but it isn't good for them over a long period. Ask your vet, the side effects are worse than the benefits if more than just one or two injections are needed. A softer brush is also in order while skin is healing. I've found that just plain A & D ointment helps heal soften and aids in removing old scabs and scales. Pat
513.5	getting better, gradually	PSW::WINALSKI	Paul S. Winalski	`Sun Jun 21 1987 23:27`	7
	Thanks for the advice. The first bath did wonders for the condition--I think that all Jennyanydots needed was to get the irritant (flea dirt, etc.) out of her fur. I haven't had to repeat the cortisone shots. It's been a few months, now, and while she still scratches herself more than she used to, the skin sensitivity is gone and her fur is growing back. --PSW
513.6	Cod Liver Oil???	TWEED::G_MARTIN	Glenda - the GOOD witch	`Mon Aug 15 1988 11:48`	3
	I'm wondering if Cod Liver Oil (YUCK...) would help the cat's skin and fur. My black, short-haired has the same problem and I was going to get her some CLO.