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allergies/staph?

bittirsweet

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Hey guys,
I've got a long post, sorry. I deleted my original one (argh!) so I'm going to try again in less words. There's a lot going on with my kitty and I'm pretty worried about him.

I've been having issues with my eldest, Raz, for awhile now.
- irritation
- oily skin
- conjunctivitis in left eye
- rash/sore spots on skin
- excessive licking/scratching
- vomiting up meals

I took him to the vet back in August and she thought it was a food allergy, so we switched from Royal Canin sphynx food to their Hypoallargenic stuff, which seemed to help a little, but was $$, so we moved to the duck and potato version, which is a little cheaper. Both my cats started going crazy for food - never satisfied, they were meowing at me all the time and even going into my client's bags if there was food in there, something they'd never done before. SO, I switched them back to the blue label hypo stuff, but the problem persisted.

I talked to my breeder about it, wondering if they had worms or something, and she suggested a raw diet, which is something I'd been considering but had been steered away from it by the vet. I started looking into it, but it took me awhile to get set up. Have started them on a recipe she recommended (chicken+beef) for about a week now and that seems to have taken care of the hunger issues. Also Raz hasn't thrown up since.

However, Raz has been getting worse. His eye was puffy and swollen and he's getting brown stains around it, and he has sores on his back hocks that won't heal and have become infected. So, I took him back to the vet last week, and after $300 and a bunch of tests, she couldn't really tell me anything. He's been wearing a cone for almost a week so he can't further irritate himself, and I've been giving him Matrixol drops in his eye twice a day. The vet also said to put polysporin on his sores, which hasn't done anything (added a photo from tonight - sorry about the awkward angle). His eye seems a little better tho. I talked to my breeder tonight & she said it looks like he has a staph infection and to get him an injection of convenia, an oral (doxycucline) and a topical. So it looks like I'll be going back to the vet this week for those things.

I'm going to look for a new vet as well, I've been really unhappy with the lack of knowledge and high costs and both Raz and I were pretty traumatized by our last visit - he's a trooper but all the testing really took it out of him. He's not happy about the cone, but he's managing with it.

I'm hoping to get his sores and eye cleared up asap, but I'm wondering what the underlying issue is. Food allergies, stress (I've been hopping in and out of home because of family issues, and working a lot when I am home, and Raz has always been a bit needy), something else? After reading stuff on this site for hours, it sounds like the raw diet I have him on might not be the best either. How long should I wait before changing it? I'm hesitant to change too many things at once, because it's going to make it difficult to figure out what the issue is.

Added pressure: I have plans to leave for India in a couple of weeks, for over a month. My friend is going to be watching the cats, but I'm hesitant to leave them with her, not knowing what's wrong with Raz and I'm even thinking of postponing my trip. Is this extreme? I would appreciate any advice/support you can give.

Also: I don't know if this means anything, but my younger one, Panda, is from the same parents, and has had no issues except that she's a little pig.
 

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Toa and Ross

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So sorry to hear about the issues with Raz. I know how desperate you feel when there's something wrong with your baby and you don't know what it can be!
I'm no specialist at all but when I look at the photos first thing I think is is it possible that the cat litter is causing the issues on his legs? What litter do you use?

And for the eye problems: my boy Toa has red eyes all the times. Been to the vet several times and didn't find out what was causing the problem. Then @Lickleone gave me great advise: make green tea, wet a cotton ball or pad in it and clean the eyes once or twice day. It works great. I found out that stining nettle tea works great too. Maybe it will work for Raz?

Cause of the problem Toa was having with diarrhea I switched to raw food 6 months ago. It did work great and the diarrhea stopped.
Toa still has some issues (couching strangly, vomiting sometimes) while his brother Ross is perfectly healthy. So think the best you can do is find the food that works best for Raz. Probably he still will have skme issues but hopefully much less.

If you trust your friend and you know that your friend will take care of Raz the same as you do I think you can still go.
Sphynx are very sensitive for stress so it can be the reason of the issue. Unfortunally you can't always prevent them having stress when there are issues in your life you have stress about. It's already hard for yourself to have stress about family problems. Wish you all the best
 

Catzzzmeow

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@bittirsweet The sores on the legs especially in that area, we have seen are often due to laying on a surface that is rough or generates heat like a cable box etc. Does your baby have a favorite place they are always lying on? The cone would not help these sores if this is the case.

Patti
 
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admin

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Hey guys,
I've got a long post, sorry. I deleted my original one (argh!) so I'm going to try again in less words. There's a lot going on with my kitty and I'm pretty worried about him.

I've been having issues with my eldest, Raz, for awhile now.
- irritation
- oily skin
- conjunctivitis in left eye
- rash/sore spots on skin
- excessive licking/scratching
- vomiting up meals

I took him to the vet back in August and she thought it was a food allergy, so we switched from Royal Canin sphynx food to their Hypoallargenic stuff, which seemed to help a little, but was $$, so we moved to the duck and potato version, which is a little cheaper. Both my cats started going crazy for food - never satisfied, they were meowing at me all the time and even going into my client's bags if there was food in there, something they'd never done before. SO, I switched them back to the blue label hypo stuff, but the problem persisted.

I talked to my breeder about it, wondering if they had worms or something, and she suggested a raw diet, which is something I'd been considering but had been steered away from it by the vet. I started looking into it, but it took me awhile to get set up. Have started them on a recipe she recommended (chicken+beef) for about a week now and that seems to have taken care of the hunger issues. Also Raz hasn't thrown up since.

However, Raz has been getting worse. His eye was puffy and swollen and he's getting brown stains around it, and he has sores on his back hocks that won't heal and have become infected. So, I took him back to the vet last week, and after $300 and a bunch of tests, she couldn't really tell me anything. He's been wearing a cone for almost a week so he can't further irritate himself, and I've been giving him Matrixol drops in his eye twice a day. The vet also said to put polysporin on his sores, which hasn't done anything (added a photo from tonight - sorry about the awkward angle). His eye seems a little better tho. I talked to my breeder tonight & she said it looks like he has a staph infection and to get him an injection of convenia, an oral (doxycucline) and a topical. So it looks like I'll be going back to the vet this week for those things.

I'm going to look for a new vet as well, I've been really unhappy with the lack of knowledge and high costs and both Raz and I were pretty traumatized by our last visit - he's a trooper but all the testing really took it out of him. He's not happy about the cone, but he's managing with it.

I'm hoping to get his sores and eye cleared up asap, but I'm wondering what the underlying issue is. Food allergies, stress (I've been hopping in and out of home because of family issues, and working a lot when I am home, and Raz has always been a bit needy), something else? After reading stuff on this site for hours, it sounds like the raw diet I have him on might not be the best either. How long should I wait before changing it? I'm hesitant to change too many things at once, because it's going to make it difficult to figure out what the issue is.

Added pressure: I have plans to leave for India in a couple of weeks, for over a month. My friend is going to be watching the cats, but I'm hesitant to leave them with her, not knowing what's wrong with Raz and I'm even thinking of postponing my trip. Is this extreme? I would appreciate any advice/support you can give.

Also: I don't know if this means anything, but my younger one, Panda, is from the same parents, and has had no issues except that she's a little pig.
Sorry to hear of these issues. Great advice thus far. Changing food is going to give you multiple tummy issues in most cases, so you need to figure which one is giving the best results and stick to it. In the past many member who had tummy issues used http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...rmula-limited-ingredients-cat-food-5000682--1 they make a wet and dry formula. Here is a great resource for eye cleaning and healing posted by @susi794 some time ago Eyebright and Susi are AMAZING!!! and also Lysine would be a good source for eye issues if you are not already using it. @Catzzzmeow gave great advice on the surfaces that may cause the sores - is she ever kept in a cage? :)
 

Yoda mom

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@bittirsweet , awh Raz, sending healing vibes! I know you are such a trooper at your vets - had smooches sent to you and Panda-

Great advice given - I would add from your thread title that it reminds me what I just went thru with my dog
Who they suspected food allergy - very similar

Round hot spots same size and look like on Raz but in both ears and on one side of neck, conjunctivitis , licking scratching . Added to it the home stress vibes of our Old Duke in end of life stages -

For my dog , vet told me to get him on different food , gave him eye ointment - neo poly dex , and quadritop for the one round sores in both ears -

I looked at the food he was eating same brand different formulas - and found the common denominator was chicken and potatoes .. Hmmm,

I switched food to a limited ingredient novel protein ( in our case for the dog Acana Duck and Pear ) with no potatoes
Viola In a week his skin immediately improved , no licking , sores healed - with a food without chicken or potato- which can be common allergens for cats and dogs -


For my sensitive Bengal cat I went with Fromm Game bird recipe Fed in a raised food dish-
Fromm has no recalls in over 100 yrs family owned
Her vomiting improved immediately , skin coat amazing - feels much better
She is like a new kitty within two months -

The natural balance duck formula admin mentioned also had had good results for several other lairians kitties

I know you have a trip planned and a lot out think about -
In the meantime a second opinion would t hurt -
I would also get a copy of Razs chart notes to keep on hand at home and take with you if you get a second opinion -

I use vetericyn VF formula spray ( I buy online) and wet a cotton round and dab on sore skin areas-
It is non toxic which I like - I use the VF spray on kitties and VF hydrogel - it's thicker ) on dogs

Another one I like and keep on hand and actually do ears with is Triz ultra with Keto- sold at my vets or online
It's my go to for skin stuff along with Vetericyn Vf formula-

I am hoping you get answers and relied fpr Raz soon - It's tough when they are under the weather and we and vets are stumped

I know the best way is to test for allergies but i tried first to immediately eliminating the common denominator in food he reacted to and so far so good- look at all the ingredients too bcz they may say duck and etc .. But then further down the list is the culprit ingredient or fat-
( some pets can tolerate it if the ingredient is further down the list but I tried to avoid it all)

Please keep is updated
 
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bittirsweet

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@bittirsweet The sores on the legs especially in that area, we have seen are often due to laying on a surface that is rough or generates heat like a cable box etc. Does your baby have a favorite place they are always lying on? The cone would not help these sores if this is the case.

Patti
They like to sit on top of my sound system, which has vents on the top. Both cats like to sit up there tho, and only Raz is having issues. I'm not sure how to prevent them from sitting up there, I have to keep the vents clear for the equipment. Maybe putting double-sided tape on it?
 

bittirsweet

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I was giving him lysine supplements in his food awhile ago for his eyes, but it never seemed to make a difference and he didn't like it so I stopped.
I will try the tea, that sounds great, and I've got to pick up more meat this week as well so maybe I'll go with something other than chicken, since that's been in all of the food he's had and seems to be a common allergy. Definitely going to get a second opinion as well, thanks so much for your comments guys!
 

Toa and Ross

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I was giving him lysine supplements in his food awhile ago for his eyes, but it never seemed to make a difference and he didn't like it so I stopped.
I will try the tea, that sounds great, and I've got to pick up more meat this week as well so maybe I'll go with something other than chicken, since that's been in all of the food he's had and seems to be a common allergy. Definitely going to get a second opinion as well, thanks so much for your comments guys!

All fingers and paws crossed this all will help to get rid of the issues Raz's having!
 

Catzzzmeow

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@bittirsweet that could definitely be the issue being they perch on the sound system. Some are more sensitive than others. See what you can do to keep them off and I hope you report back in a week things are improving. I have a hunch and a hope that it starts looking better soon if this is the case.

Patti
 
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Hairless Blessing

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I was giving him lysine supplements in his food awhile ago for his eyes, but it never seemed to make a difference and he didn't like it so I stopped.
I will try the tea, that sounds great, and I've got to pick up more meat this week as well so maybe I'll go with something other than chicken, since that's been in all of the food he's had and seems to be a common allergy. Definitely going to get a second opinion as well, thanks so much for your comments guys!

Seems a lot of Sphynx has allergies and stomach issues with chicken.
My Izmae did, so, I don't use any kind of meat with feathers.
I use the Natural Balance Limited Ingredients diet Green Peas and Salmon.
Izmae has done great on it. It's grain free and good food. If the raw
doesn't work out.
I think the sound system might be the problem with the legs.
I would block them or move them, where they can't lay on them.
Keep us updated about your baby.
 

susi794

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If you want a quality canned food that is about as close to raw as it gets, try Hounds'N Gatos canned food. It's 100% meat and only additives are minerals and vitamins. I would try rabbit. Or get the rabbit from the raw mix you're using. It is closer to what a cat would be eating in the wild. Beef often makes cats vomit. Also if you're not positive your baby is getting what he needs with your mix, buy the supplement type or the frozen. The sores on his feet look like pressure sores. He isn't caged is he? Def. try the eyebright tea for his eyes. Keep us informed. Sending prayers for him to get well soon.
 

GoldHazel

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@bittirsweet when I saw the pics, I knew it was from burns/pressure spots.

One of my babies loves to lay on top of cable boxes and the top of her front paws ("wrist" areas as she tucks her front paws while laying) gets very pink, then red, then scabby). I use a human burn cream on her wrists and as far as the cable boxes: the cable box in my room I had to put double sided thick tape on it. Worked like a charm. But the downstairs cable box I finally had to have my husband move it to a lower shelf on the t.v. stand so that there would be no room for her to squeeze in there to lay on it). Problem solved here.

You can put a human cream or ointment antibiotic on those sores a few times a day. It looks so raw and painful. Poor baby.
Let us know how it all goes and good luck.
 

AlexaEels

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Looking at the pictures it looks to me like what happened to my Baldwin when we had changed litter. He got sores, not that big, in the same spot. I am not sure, just looks similar to what Baldwin had.
 

GoldHazel

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Looking at the pictures it looks to me like what happened to my Baldwin when we had changed litter. He got sores, not that big, in the same spot. I am not sure, just looks similar to what Baldwin had.

Just wondering what litter you were using and then what litter did you switch to when Baldwin had sores? Also, were Baldwin's sores in the same exact spot as Bittirsweet's sphynx?
 

bittirsweet

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@bittirsweet , checking in on Raz?
How is he doing?

Well, I took him to the other vet and she gave me some omega oil to put on the back of his neck, which seems to have cleared up his eyes quite a bit! I'm still giving him eye drops as well. His legs are still sore, (it was a staph infection) but they're a bit better. It's hard to keep them clean! I've got an antibiotic and some cream for those. The raw diet seems to be going well for both kitties, and Raz seems a lot happier with his cone off!
 

Yoda mom

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@bittirsweet , thank you for the update - glad he got relief and answers-
Continue healing vibes sent!
Glad they are doing well on the raw

What ointment did vet prescribe?
I also keep on hand vetericyn VF spray - non toxic - I get online

Please keep us updated with more good news! And pics!
 

Catzzzmeow

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Glad to hear you got a true diagnosis. Hoping your baby heals quickly. I would still be careful of electronics that generate heat just to be safe.

Patti
 

bittirsweet

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@bittirsweet , thank you for the update - glad he got relief and answers-
Continue healing vibes sent!
Glad they are doing well on the raw

What ointment did vet prescribe?
I also keep on hand vetericyn VF spray - non toxic - I get online

Please keep us updated with more good news! And pics!

The oil is called Douxo. Vet said it was Omega 3 based.
But yeah, thanks @Catzzzmeow I'm try and keep them off the sound system from now on! He seems to have found a new perch on top of some cupboards lately anyway!
 

bittirsweet

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@bittirsweet , thank you for the update - glad he got relief and answers-
Continue healing vibes sent!
Glad they are doing well on the raw

What ointment did vet prescribe?
I also keep on hand vetericyn VF spray - non toxic - I get online

Please keep us updated with more good news! And pics!

Whoops you asked about ointment, not oil! The ointment is Viaderm-KC.
 
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