Recurring Skin Rash (Possible Allergies)

[BusterTheCat]

Hello. So Buster has always had very good skin and never experienced any allergies. Earlier this month, we brought Buster to the vet because he had bad breath. Two days later, I noticed this rash on his body:

I was concerned it may have been because I was using the heated blanket that night (with me in it, of course) so I put a cold compress on it and figured it would heal. But then decided to go to the vet a few days later when it continued to spread around his body and looked like this:

At this point, I thought it was suspicious that the rash appeared right after I had taken him to the vet for his teeth because he's never had any skin problems (or health problems, really) before. However, the vet insisted it was an allergic reaction. He thought to pollen, which was possible because we let Buster into the Catio (a screened-in area outside) when it's warm. He loves it in there. So the vet gave him a steroid shot and within a couple of days Buster's rash had gone away. Within the next couple of weeks, we tried seeing if we could let him into the Catio again after giving it a good cleaning because it's his favorite place to go. Eventually, his rash re-appeared (attached is a photo):

So of course I kept him away from the Catio, inside at all times. But after a week of having no outdoor time, the rash didn't go away (probably got worse even) so I took him to a different vet (at a sister location) and she said that because the steroid shot made the rash go away, it is allergies. She explained that allergies respond very well to steroids whereas infectious diseases would get worse. The vet gave me wipes called Mal-A-Ket because I explained that I wanted an alternate solution from continuously giving him steroids whenever it comes back. We've been using those wipes for a few days and his rash has spread more around his body and now looks like little pin-point dots all over (pics):

It's hard to see in the photos how widespread it is but it looks awful in person. Also, someone has been vomiting a lot. We have three cats so I cannot currently say for sure that Buster is the one vomiting as I have not seen it happen but will try my best to find out. I stopped the wipes in case him licking it off has made him vomit. The vet gave us oral steroids to give him in case the wipes don't help so I gave him a dose today.

I know it can't be pollen because Buster hasn't been out in the Catio for a long time and it continues to get worse. I haven't bathed him all month (just wiping with warm water on a cloth to clean him) because I don't want any shampoos to irritate his skin. So I also know it is not his shampoo.

For those of you who have had cats with allergies, does this look like an allergic reaction? He nibbles and licks the rash but I haven't seen him scratch. I'm so concerned about him, I'm worried something is very wrong. And if it is an allergic reaction, I don't know how to figure out what is causing it. I'm going to change his food and/or the detergent. The food and detergent in our house hasn't been changed at all but the vet said the ingredients may have changed. I know this post is long but I really appreciate anyone who has read it and any help I can get. I will take him back to the vet as soon as I can.

 

[Yoda mom]

@BusterTheCat , awh Buster.. Sending healing vibes amd hugs to your mum!
It does look like allergies to me too..

Can u figure out which kitty vomitting ?
What brand food? I would call company and ask if food ingredients tweels or changes they do sometimes ..
Could he be allergic to the wipe ingredients?

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Yoda mom Thank you! I'm going to try to catch them in the act to see who's vomiting. That's a good idea, I can try calling. He eats Weruva, which he's always eaten, but I'm just realizing we also give them dry food samples as a snack that we get at the store so I will stop with the dry. I only started the wipes on Friday when we were at the second vet and since it hasn't helped (and possibly caused vomiting though we don't know) I'm not going to use them on him anymore.

 

[Yoda mom]

@BusterTheCat , healing vibes! I hope it gets resolved soon
Please keep us updated -
I believe Weruva is manufacturered in Thailand along with some other wet foods.
I have always heard good things about Weruva amd tiki cat

I think it's a good idea to withdraw from the samples

For treats here I don't use any - I actually bought -bag of .. Don't cringe .. Hills Urinary hairball formula kibble
that I started with my adoptee boy who had a urinary infection. Now I just use as treats I keep in a jar .
They love them as treats and no poo issues

Could buster have seasonal allergies?
Ask your vet if Chlor tabs or similar would be beneficial?
Never give anything except by your vets advice and dosage

 

[Sheldon13]

If it is seasonal allergies there are maintenance medications he can be put on so he doesn't have to keep taking steroids.


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[BusterTheCat]

@Yoda mom We use Greenies as treats, which we've used forever. Those urinary ones sound yummy :joyful: It's possible he has new seasonal allergies, he's just never had an allergic reaction in his life. I did give him a dose of Zyrtec but only did that once and didn't notice a difference. I might try it again for longer than just one day. I'll look into Chlor, I haven't heard of that one. It seems so difficult to find the cause, it could be anything But all I want is for him to be better!

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Sheldon13 I asked my vet and she just gave me those wipes I got him Zyrtec but only gave one dose. I'll start him on it again and see if continuously giving him Zyrtec helps.

 

[Sheldon13]

Yes I think try giving it to him for a week or so and see if the symptoms improve. Did your vet give you the Zyrtec?


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[BusterTheCat]

@Sheldon13 No but I read a lot about it and asked the vet when I went in. I just started him on steroids so I might not be able to tell if Zyrtec will be helping since the steroids do make the rash go away but I definitely don't want to make him take steroids for too long!

 

[Yoda mom]

@BusterTheCat , you can ask your vet sbout Chlor tabs
My vet told to get it cheap at Walmart $2.96! Lol I never heard of before my vet told me about Chlortabs - attached a pic your vet can see
But she refers me to over the counter stuff when applicable and tells me the dosage per weight and applicable for diagnosis. You always want to check with your vet to make sure none of the meds are contraindicated
Or don't mix with other meds

Hope you get your baby relief soon
Keep us updated

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I would advise you to do allergy testing.
As much as he's broke out and it recurring.
You will waste a lot of money trying to switch this and that.
Trying to figure things out. When you can find out easily.
Make sure they draw blood and send it off.
Read my girls allergy story
Izmae's allergies journey

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Hairless Blessing Thank you for sharing your story! I wasn't sure if general veterinarians did allergy tests or if I would have to see a specialist but was planning on asking my vet. I don't know why neither of the vets I went to suggested an allergy test. I will call!

 

[Yoda mom]

@BusterTheCat , checking in with positve vibes

Fwiw, I took my Toby to the vet last year - was told he had seasonal allergies - I. Asked about doing the allergy test -
My vet looked at me and said I could do the test "but you will get a lot of false positives " quote

Definitely ask you vet his/her thoughts on testing for skin cases
Just wanted to share thst my vet did not recommend the test for my Toby's case
Amd sent me home with a note to get Chlor tabs and a dosage for his weight

Did the vet rule out uticaria pigmentosa we see with some lair baby skin issues?

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Yoda mom I called today and got the same response about the blood test.

I actually haven't been told about it but I'm looking it up and it seems very possible. I will ask the vet, thank you for mentioning it!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

@Yoda mom I called today and got the same response about the blood test.

I actually haven't been told about it but I'm looking it up and it seems very possible. I will ask the vet, thank you for mentioning it!

Izmae's allergy test was spot on. No false negative.
That's why drawing blood and sending it off is best.
I know Izmae has improved 100%.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Sending healing vibes to Buster.

 

[Xandria]

Poor Buster! I'm so sorry you've all had to endure this. I would say it definitely looks like allergies, and yes, you can have your vet perform an allergy test.. I had to do that with Min,, and learned that she was allergic to pretty much everything LOL. Having said that, she has been taking a small amount of Atopica every day and it has really helped her allergy reaction.. That might be a medication you wish to pursue, but I know that @Hairless Blessing Has used a different medication routine with great success.

Please let us know how things go. Sending buster healing vibes and yourself calming vibes. Hugs.

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Xandria Thank you! I've been thinking of switching to raw. It's something I've wanted to do and am hearing that it can help with allergies. I'm just researching different brands now! I feel so bad that I might be giving him something he's developed an allergy to, I just don't know how to figure out what it is which is why I looked into an allergy test. Our vet said they don't really do them I'll ask the vet about Atopica, I'm happy your baby has done well with it!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

@Xandria Thank you! I've been thinking of switching to raw. It's something I've wanted to do and am hearing that it can help with allergies. I'm just researching different brands now! I feel so bad that I might be giving him something he's developed an allergy to, I just don't know how to figure out what it is which is why I looked into an allergy test. Our vet said they don't really do them I'll ask the vet about Atopica, I'm happy your baby has done well with it!

If your Vet don't do the allergy testing go to one that does.
I hope it comes back negative for everything.
But, I can't express how important it is to know the allergies
and what the treatment will be. Izmae's is so bad, if I hadn't
had her tested, she wouldn't be here now.
If you go to a Vet that knows what their doing, they, can
draw the blood and they know a place to send it to
So it can be tested. It can't be tested in their office.
Go to a University near you. At the Vet clinic- hospital.
They, will take care of it. If you can't find a Vet that can.

 

[Xandria]

I totally agree with @Hairless Blessing . All vets can draw blood and then have the samples sent to an appropriate location for the testing needed. I recently had a sample sent from Vancouver Canada to the USA for a specialized blood test for my Min that they don't do here. It was worth the peace of mind.

 

[kitten]

Have you tried washing with malaseb shampoo for a few weeks?

 

[BusterTheCat]

Update on Buster: he suddenly got really sick and spent the night at the vet's. I had no idea why. We were told the next day he had pancreatitis and a lot of inflammations in his system. Before this, the vet had put him on a course of steroids which I was very hesitant to do but thought I should get the rash settled while I tried to figure out what's wrong/a better option for the next time. I was researching raws, bought Omega 3 suppliments and antihistamines, washing everything in case it was pollen, and he was almost finished with his course when he got ill. Apparently steroids is a cause of pancreatitis and I just feel so awful. I just wanted him to be comfortable while I researched better options and I made him so sick

He's home and feeling better now. One of his symptoms before going to the vet was very bad diarrhea. When he got back it was a little more formed and after being home for a day it's back to complete liquid. He is otherwise well but I'm wondering if the diarrhea got so bad again because he's back at home eating his usual food (worried about allergies still) or if it's because while he was at the vet he ate a different type of food that his digestive system wasn't used to. It seems like the first option might be more likely because he had more formed stools when he first got back (though it was still diarrhea). The problem is I don't want to make any drastic changes now since he's healing. I will call the vet later and ask. We also have a follow-up check-up on Friday.

I was also wondering what the best way to administer liquid medication is. It's my least favorite form of medicine. I usually do it quickly to get it down but he'll sometimes gag on it and I don't want to make him more uncomfortable. I tried doing it slowly but this way he was able to spit out a lot of it and he probably only got half of his antibiotics last night I will also ask the vet this but would love your opinions as well.

I don't know if this will be seen but I appreciate everyone's help. <3

 

[Yoda mom]

@BusterTheCat ,((hugs and healing vibes)))
Awh. It's nothing you did wrong .. It's such a roller coaster with meds and our babies -
We try to heal ome thing and another pops up..
Follow your vets suggestions and also never be afraid to actually ask vet or tech to demonstrate hoe to give pills or liquids ..

When they hand me the bag of meds , I slow them down and ask please show me the best method -demonstrate..

** Anything from pill poppers they will usually give you for free for the asking -along with the plunger needless syringes for liquid meds ..

I have given liquid meds while holding kitty on counter and using the plunger administer to the side back cheek area

I found with my boy it worked better to get him while he was sleepy ..
Gently straddle him tucked in between my legs so he can't escape
Open mouth slightly with my thumb and forefinger with one hand
And plunger the meds at a steady but quick pace to the inside bsck cheek area
Then Praise and a treat
Be sure not to go straight back with the plunger or they may gag

It always tell him it's to make him feel better amd give extra smooches and lovin

Did the vet give metronidazole for diarrhea?
Or mention withholding food overnight for tummy to reset ?

healing gentle head smooches to Buster and big hugs to you !
Keep us updated

Here is a link
How to Give Cats Liquid Medicine: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

 

[BusterTheCat]

@Yoda mom Thank you so much this is very helpful! You're right I didn't even think of asking them to demonstrate with a syringe of water. But next time I will definitely try toward the cheek because I was doing it straight back and that makes much more sense.

Buster hadn't eaten for two days, which hurt his liver, so the vet wanted food in him asap. They fed him some while he was there. We didn't get anything for his diarrhea :/ I'll talk to the vet about it.

Thank you again, I'll give Buster kisses for you! You're so helpful.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Oh yikes! You must habe been so worried. Glad to hear Buster is back home now.
Don't blame yourself. The vet adviced what to do in the hope this would help Buster.

Sending lots of healing vibes to Buster and hugs to you.