Rash Questions

[Cinderella]

I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions. My pretty Cindy girl has red bumps (looks like hives) all over, they are itchy because she scratches her neck and causes scabs. I've had her to the vet and they have checked several things and everything is coming back fine. She has had 2 doses of antibiotic and she is on prednisone.

I'm am pretty sure it is contact dermatitis, now the question is what is causing it. I switched to the natural corn litter already and she is on Science Diet z/d (low allergen food). I have a prescription soap from the vet for her bath that we use. These things are not working so far. I want to get her off the Science Diet because it's so full of fillers and corn.

My question is which food, litter, bath soap, etc have y'all found works for your cats?

 

[DoctorSpock]

Food would be my first choice. Science diet is not good as you already know. Rashes can be caused by sun, allergic reaction to foods/chemicals. I have the same problem w/Dr. Spock and I've narrowed it down to the chicken hearts and gizzards I feed on the side. argghhh Beef is another culprit, most kitties can't deal with it, they either get the runs, vomit, or rash.

I'd try to slowly transition him to a quality wet food(high protein count). There is tons of info. here on that (use search function). Steroids are very hard on cats... be careful.. I would use Benadryl, ask your vet for dosage. That will stop of the itching/scratching. There is some links here in the forum on skin conditions that might help you solve the mystery...

 

[Inflamed]

Hi & welcome to the Lair!

Sorry to read about Cindy's problem. The only time I've personally seen a sphynx with a rash it was caused by food allergy so I would definitely change to a grain free diet or perhaps raw might help. But how to treat the existing rash, sorry no idea. Spock already suggested some good ideas as well as using the search function (just type in rash or skin problem).

Good luck!

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks! I have been searching in the forums for food today. I am going to Dallas tomorrow (woohoo big city!!) and see what I can find at Petsmart. I have also been looking online at Nature's Variety, Wellness and Life's Abundance.

I am trying to get her off the Prednisone, but had not asked about Benadryl. I just bought the free and clear laundry detergent today too in case she is bothered by our laundry detergent. I washed my son's sheets in it today, because she loves to sleep in his bed.

 

[susi794]

Welcome to the Lair! WE ARE GLAD YOU'VE JOINED US! Please enjoy the site. I am looking forward to getting to know you and Cindy better. I hope her rash heals up soon. I would definitely do a raw or grain free diet change.....Taste of the Wild, Blue Buffalo, AVO, are a few good ones. As for the bathing...I think Aveeno makes an oatmeal bath soap that is supposed to calm down rashes...have never used it myself so I can't vouch for it, but my vet once told me to get an oatmeal bath for one of my animals.....I can't remember if it was one of my cats or a dog. It was a long time ago, but I know it is supposed to be soothing and it is safe. I just use baby wash on mine. The no tears kind.
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find out that works.....
Big hugs,
Susi and the gang

 

[admin]

Here is a good article on skin conditions, hope it helps!:Laugh:
http://www.sphynxlair.com/f53/sphynx-skin-conditions-4236/

 

[Big Hoss]

Hello and welcome...I cant help with the rash but I have been told by many that raw has helped with there rashes.....Good luck, I hope it heals up soon!!

 

[BaldKarma]

Thanks! I have been searching in the forums for food today. I am going to Dallas tomorrow (woohoo big city!!) and see what I can find at Petsmart. I have also been looking online at Nature's Variety, Wellness and Life's Abundance.

I am trying to get her off the Prednisone, but had not asked about Benadryl. I just bought the free and clear laundry detergent today too in case she is bothered by our laundry detergent. I washed my son's sheets in it today, because she loves to sleep in his bed.

welcome if you are going to the city see if they have a petsupermarket near by.
from my own personal research the 3 best commercial dry foods are evo,wellness CORE,and wilderness by blue buffalo and i dont know about there but in south florida pet supermarket sells CORE, and EVO and petsmart doesnt.

they are all grain free and high in protein, rash wise id ask the vet and look on here to see if maybe the benddryl cream will be ok for there skin, my idea is if its good for a newborn then more then likely should be good for our sphynx.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

My sister and others have used the corn cat litter (WBCL)
and their cats got yeast infections on their skin. I can't say this will
happen to every cat, but I would not risk it myself. But, if you are using it
and your cat does fine then, I would stick with it, if I liked it.
I would check about the food allergy's to. I can't help you with these problems
I have been very fortunate, my little girl hasn't had these issues.
I guess you know about changing their food and how?? Best wishes
I hope you find out whats going on and the remedy, so your baby will
be better.

 

[jfinner1]

If it's not the food, maybe start looking at things that you use, like your dish soup or laundry detergent. When I first got Khepri, he had a minor rash on his side. It cleared up, but came back with a vengeance when I put one of his sweaters on him. Ends up, he was allergic to the laundry detergent his previous owner used. I have skin issues too, and I use a very mild natural detergent, so after I gave all his sweaters and blankets a wash or two he was fine. But maybe your baby is having a reaction to your clothes, bedding, etc.

To answer your question, I use Taste of the Wild kibble, the canyon blend I think it's called, Tidy Cats scoopable litter, and Herbal Essence (my shampoo) to bathe him. Please don't yell at me about the shampoo, it works, and the cat shampoos I tried either didn't get him clean, or irritated his skin.

 

[DoctorSpock]

To answer your question, I use Herbal Essence (my shampoo) to bathe him. Please don't yell at me about the shampoo, it works, and the cat shampoos I tried either didn't get him clean, or irritated his skin.

We won't yell atcha! Whatever works for your kitty! Every single kitty is different, just like us.. I myself love the stuff! I use it on myself in the shower and my chinese crested (yes we bathe together) all the time (coconut oil blend)! Now if I could only get Dr. Spock to join us! He just sits on top of the shower doors and watches us!

 

[Cinderella]

Here is a good article on skin conditions, hope it helps!:Laugh:
http://www.sphynxlair.com/f53/sphynx-skin-conditions-4236/

Thanks! I had looked here already and it just reinforced my thoughts.

 

[Cinderella]

My sister and others have used the corn cat litter (WBCL)
and their cats got yeast infections on their skin. I can't say this will
happen to every cat, but I would not risk it myself. But, if you are using it
and your cat does fine then, I would stick with it, if I liked it.
I would check about the food allergy's to. I can't help you with these problems
I have been very fortunate, my little girl hasn't had these issues.
I guess you know about changing their food and how?? Best wishes
I hope you find out whats going on and the remedy, so your baby will
be better.

I had not hear of yeast infections from the World's Best cat litter. It is the one the breeder recommended and it wasn't what I was using when she first came home, but I did switch to it a month ago. I think it does well, but I'm not sure she likes it. She'll urinate in it but won't poop in it.

Would a yeast infection cause a hives like reaction?

 

[Boonecat]

TO THE LAIR


Sorry about Cindy's rash. Poor lil' girl. The Benedryl is a good idea. Also, does Cindy wear clothes? Perhaps it may be your laundry detergent? I know its a long shot, but one never knows. Just trying to think of all the possibilities.​

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I had not hear of yeast infections from the World's Best cat litter. It is the one the breeder recommended and it wasn't what I was using when she first came home, but I did switch to it a month ago. I think it does well, but I'm not sure she likes it. She'll urinate in it but won't poop in it.

Would a yeast infection cause a hives like reaction?

It did on my sister's cats, both of them.
She would scoop many times thru out the day and night to.
I know you want to get to the root of the problem, poor baby.
So, I would check everything that goes on her, in her, or touches her,etc.
You may just need the vet do a culture, if he hasn't already. I just
wonder why she won't poopie in the box??? I don't know about that.
I hope you do find out, I think you will when you examine all possibilities.
I can't remember if you said or not, if you took her out side. Does she get in the grass, or there any other pets around that could have fleas??? I am just trying to throw out suggestions maybe to help. Did you read the post Admin was talking about?? I know there is alot of help there also. Sending you prayers and best wishes.
Keep us posted.

 

[DoctorSpock]

I had not hear of yeast infections from the World's Best cat litter. It is the one the breeder recommended and it wasn't what I was using when she first came home, but I did switch to it a month ago. I think it does well, but I'm not sure she likes it. She'll urinate in it but won't poop in it.

Would a yeast infection cause a hives like reaction?

I used to use WBCL too and Dr. Spock would only pee in it. Then he started peeing outside the box. I tried Cat Attract litter and he's been great now for a month pooping/peeing in it!

 

[bean406]

Switching to a free & clear laundry soap was a good choice.

I think you also have the right idea in trying to find a better food. Each person seems to find a food that works for their pet but in my opinion raw is best. I see you checked into Nature's Variety--that's what I feed and my kitty absolutely thrives on it. I know some people make their own, which is another option, and pretty sure there are recipes posted on this site.

As far as her rash, my baby has had several rashes and I use a anti-fungal cream (you can find in the foot products section) and it seems to help; my breeder suggested this actully.​

 

[Nofuratu]

Im a little surprised your vet is allreay out of ideas?
Food allergy would be a good guess and your are right to try other hypoallergenic foods, or raw, or other brands if your science diet isnt working.

You definetley want to get the itching under control because it is horrible to feel itchy all the time....so its good that its controlled by steriods but if your cat is young then using steriods longterm without looking into other things like different foods etc....seems strange your vet would do that.

You might want to consider asking for a referral to a dermatologist.... or other specialist.....and it may save you money long term rather than numerous vet visits at a place that isnt helping....just my two cents...Good luck Im sure you will get lots more good advice by people who have been through this!

Adventures of A Naked Cat

 

[SphynxKid]

Food would be my first choice. Science diet is not good as you already know. Rashes can be caused by sun, allergic reaction to foods/chemicals. I have the same problem w/Dr. Spock and I've narrowed it down to the chicken hearts and gizzards I feed on the side. argghhh Beef is another culprit, most kitties can't deal with it, they either get the runs, vomit, or rash.

I'd try to slowly transition him to a quality wet food(high protein count). There is tons of info. here on that (use search function). Steroids are very hard on cats... be careful.. I would use Benadryl, ask your vet for dosage. That will stop of the itching/scratching. There is some links here in the forum on skin conditions that might help you solve the mystery...

My kitty has allergies too, that make her eyes water horribly. We have not been able to narrow it down either, to beyond dust/seasonal allergies. I also give her Benadryl and it works wonders. My vet recommends 1mg per POUND of cat (Fluffy is about 7 lbs) so she gets just almost a half a tablet of Benadryl. She has a weird reaction to it though, she cries for a couple of hours, gets wired and then sleeps for a few hours, and is out COLD. But it works really well. So, might be worth a shot until you can figure out what it is.

Also, I use Suave on my Moses, because other cat shampoos did not get him clean so no need to worry about using human shampoo! And he smells so nice when he gets a bath!

Jen

 

[momofmaxamillon]

I am so sorry, you will get to the bottom of it real soon!

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I have learned so much in only a couple of days on the boards!!

I live in a small town in Oklahoma (no one has even seen a Sphynx before) so I went to Oklahoma City yesterday and did some cat food shopping. I talked to several different small pet store owners and got several samples to try. I will be trying Nature's Variety Instinct in Chicken flavor and Orijen in Poultry flavor. I also looked at the Nature's Variety raw, but not sure if Cinderella will eat it cold, so I grabbed some duck flavored canned food. I even picked up some samples for my doggies. I started feeding the Orijen last night and will see how she does. Oh I also switched to stainless steel bowls for her food.

I will keep y'all updated on what is working and what isn't.

Shelly

 

[Cinderella]

I started feeding the Orijen food and she's been eating it for about a day and a half. I notice that she is breaking out more on the belly and legs and seems to be very itchy. I think it may be 85% food and a little bit of stress from yesterday as we had to camp out in the bathroom for a while during the tornado sirens. I think I will start the Instinct food today and she how she does.

 

[Boonecat]

I started feeding the Orijen food and she's been eating it for about a day and a half. I notice that she is breaking out more on the belly and legs and seems to be very itchy. I think it may be 85% food and a little bit of stress from yesterday as we had to camp out in the bathroom for a while during the tornado sirens. I think I will start the Instinct food today and she how she does.

Glad to hear that you made it through the storms ok

 

[Sillysphynx24]

I would certianly try switching her fod. Usually you want to try either a grain free food that high proein or a novel protein diet. Royal canin makes a venison and green pea that the cats really like, but it is a prescription allergy diet like the z/d. When you select a food, she has to eat that food only. You can do can and dry, but only one flavor. No treats or people food. She will have to be on that specific diet for 12-16 weeks to know if the food is what is causing the allergy. If she doesn't clear up with a food trial, it may be an environmental allergy. VARL Home has a test that can be done at your vet clinic, if a dermatologist is not an option, that test for 40 of the most commen environmental allergens in your area. If she comes back allergic to any of them, they can make allergy injections for her like they do in people. They have to be on them for about 4-9 months before you will notice a change, but in the long run it really helps. Good luck!

 

[NewSphynxCatOwner]

Hi I'm a new Sphynx Cat OwnNe, as of today. (Sorry for the typo in my user name. Haven't quite figured out to to fix that yet). I rescued a 14 year old sphynx, and I must say, I'm in love.!
Problem is, she has some skin abrasions, that seem to be caused by her itching her self. Former owner said it's because of the lengnth of her claws, though claws have been recently clipped. And regardless, she is still itching. I think it's a skin condition, caused by poor diet. Former owner was feeding her IAMS. From everything I've read, this food is not good, for Sphyx cats. I've also read that Sphynx need a no grain or no starch diet. Any recommendations for the rash / diet would be very appreciated.
Looking forward to conversing with you all!