Still dealing w/ skin issues

[ArlosMom]

So, despite temporary clearing up of her spots (after using zymox special shampoo), she got two new ones today on her neck area, right behind her ears. The one looks to have a tiny spot on it that almost looks like a bite marks. Both bumps are almost in the same exact spot on both sides! I have been in contact w/ the vet and she said as long as she's eating and is not lethargic or acting abnormal in any way, it's fine to wait until Saturday to see her. She also stressed the importance of keeping her isolated from Arlo. So with that, I just wanted to post another picture of her newest bump to see if anyone has any idea what it looks like. Could it be topical (a skin, mite or something)? It seems like now that I have a little sweater on her, she's only getting these marks where the skin is exposed (legs, head, neck area). I am so perplexed and hope the doc has some definitive answers, but in the meantime I wanted to get thoughts on what it looks like to everyone.. ((ALso, no detergents, lotions or anything are near her or on her bedding or blankets. Everything has been cleaned and laundered to remove any potential irritants, and also this was happening BEFORE she came to me @breeders. )Also, she is not scratching at all. The thing I initially thought was that it was Pyoderma due to the excessive licking that her mom was doing and she then developed a bacterial skin infection. Thoughts?

Thank you so much!

 

[BusterTheCat]

It looks similar to a bug bite as it seems it has a tiny hole in the middle. I really don't know much about bites & skin irritations, though. Update us after the vet visit, I hope it goes well!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Does this lump look bigger and redder than the others? From the pics you have shared it looks that way, but you are a better gauge than us just seeing a couple of pics. What laundry detergent did you use on the shirts, blankets etc...also did you use softener sheets?


Patti

 

[NinaGato]

This looks very different than her other bumps. Hhhmmm...do they seem itchy to her??

 

[ArlosMom]

@NinaGato ; no, no itching at all. I did see other similar looking bumps when I picked her up from the breeder that were healing. These look similar to those and do appear a bit more red in the photos.

This looks very different than her other bumps. Hhhmmm...do they seem itchy to her??

 

[ArlosMom]

@Catzzzmeow No, they seem to pop out, look red and then fade a bit. They do appear a bit more red in the photo. When I picked her up she had 3 similar looking ones. I am really thinking now that it's a skin /bacterial infection from mom's excessive licking. I am putting ointment on them and keeping them clean. None of them have had anything ooze out of them or anything like that. And no, no harsh detergents or softner sheets. Washed once in dreft and then a second rinse of just hot water on everything.

Does this lump look bigger and redder than the others? From the pics you have shared it looks that way, but you are a better gauge than us just seeing a couple of pics. What laundry detergent did you use on the shirts, blankets etc...also did you use softener sheets?


Patti

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Hmmm. Being that it was happening before you got her and now, you could be right about the infection. Vet should be able to prescribe something and hopefully knock it out.

 

[Yoda mom]

Sending healing vibes and that you get answers Saturday-
Ask them if they will do a skin scraping?

Which ointment are you applying? Did vet Office have any suggestions until the visit ? If okay to dab on Vetericyn ? Etc

Has it appeared more after certain protein food?

Please keep us updated
I am sure you will get answers and meds to clear it up for good
I know the hours seem to drag when we wait to get into the vet

Hopefully others can chime in with thoughts and experiences

 

[GoldHazel]

@ArlosMom it does look like it's from a parasite/bug bite, but since there is no itching, then possibly not. Also, being that you mentioned she only has this wear her skin is exposed and not under her clothing tells me that she certainly isn't allergic to her clothing/detergents/soaps.
So then I wondered if she's allergic to sun! If she is, it would be a rare allergy, but anything is possible. Also wondering if she's got something going on with her saliva that is causing her skin to get irritated from self-grooming...Mama cat may have had this issue and passed it on to her baby. It could be something from their saliva. Then you may wonder why or how can she get a bump on her head or by her ears? Well, cats lick their paws and wash their faces/heads/ears with their saliva dampened paws.

You see, vets when it comes to a sphynx cat's skin is baffled and clueless at times because they don't normally see and treat hairless animals. So for them to see a full blown skin problem on a sphynx, it can be a guessing game. A skin scraping should be the first thing done.

If it's confirmed or suspected that it's a bacterial skin infection of any kind, an injection of Convenia would be the best way to go as it's a one-time long lasting injection and you wouldn't have to deal with giving an oral antibiotic a few times a day for 10 - 14 days and having to deal with loose stools from an upset digestive system. Convenia is the best used to treat skin infections. It's an antibiotic.

I just hope that this gets resolved soon so that she can be comfortable and you can have less stress of not knowing and keeping Arlo separated.

Just one more note: If your vet wants to put her on an oral antibiotic, don't bother with Clavamox.

Best of luck and please keep us informed.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

If you have a University near you. I would try to get in to see the
Dermatologist for the issue. They are usually the best. I wouldn't let
it just linger on, without any knowledge of what it is. Or it not
getting better.
I'm not saying, you would, but, sometimes, Vets, just want to keep
on and on trying, if we let them. We are paying them to learn.
Especially, if they, aren't use to a Sphynx. Best wishes.

 

[ArlosMom]

@GoldHazel ; Thanks so much for the suggestion of convenia. Do you think it would hurt just to do that anyway to see if that helps. I know..it is so frustrating to try and figure out sphynx skin issues and although I love my vet, this is the first time (besides my boy) that she's dealt with sphynx. I couldnt' find a vet anywhere in my area that had experience w/ sphynx. So I really do rely on my gut on certain things and also input from other such as yourself that have sphynx. I'm just glad she's not uncomfortable or suffering although some of those eruptions look quite red and painful to me. She doesn't seem phased whatsoever! And the vet only did a cytology which was just putting a sampling of one of the pustules onto the slide--and she also swabbed her ears. She didn't find any bacteria, but I had also washed with chlorhexadine that morning (which I should not have done!)..
Thanks for all your input and suggestions. It is greatly appreciated!!

@ArlosMom it does look like it's from a parasite/bug bite, but since there is no itching, then possibly not. Also, being that you mentioned she only has this wear her skin is exposed and not under her clothing tells me that she certainly isn't allergic to her clothing/detergents/soaps.
So then I wondered if she's allergic to sun! If she is, it would be a rare allergy, but anything is possible. Also wondering if she's got something going on with her saliva that is causing her skin to get irritated from self-grooming...Mama cat may have had this issue and passed it on to her baby. It could be something from their saliva. Then you may wonder why or how can she get a bump on her head or by her ears? Well, cats lick their paws and wash their faces/heads/ears with their saliva dampened paws.

You see, vets when it comes to a sphynx cat's skin is baffled and clueless at times because they don't normally see and treat hairless animals. So for them to see a full blown skin problem on a sphynx, it can be a guessing game. A skin scraping should be the first thing done.

If it's confirmed or suspected that it's a bacterial skin infection of any kind, an injection of Convenia would be the best way to go as it's a one-time long lasting injection and you wouldn't have to deal with giving an oral antibiotic a few times a day for 10 - 14 days and having to deal with loose stools from an upset digestive system. Convenia is the best used to treat skin infections. It's an antibiotic.

I just hope that this gets resolved soon so that she can be comfortable and you can have less stress of not knowing and keeping Arlo separated.

Just one more note: If your vet wants to put her on an oral antibiotic, don't bother with Clavamox.

Best of luck and please keep us informed.

 

[GoldHazel]

@GoldHazel ; Thanks so much for the suggestion of convenia. Do you think it would hurt just to do that anyway to see if that helps. I know..it is so frustrating to try and figure out sphynx skin issues and although I love my vet, this is the first time (besides my boy) that she's dealt with sphynx. I couldnt' find a vet anywhere in my area that had experience w/ sphynx. So I really do rely on my gut on certain things and also input from other such as yourself that have sphynx. I'm just glad she's not uncomfortable or suffering although some of those eruptions look quite red and painful to me. She doesn't seem phased whatsoever! And the vet only did a cytology which was just putting a sampling of one of the pustules onto the slide--and she also swabbed her ears. She didn't find any bacteria, but I had also washed with chlorhexadine that morning (which I should not have done!)..
Thanks for all your input and suggestions. It is greatly appreciated!!

@ArlosMom you are very welcome. Last night after reading your posts and seeing your pics, I busted my brain trying to come up with what came to mind and what made sense.
You didn't mention if she lays in the sun a lot...being that these eruptions are only on exposed areas not under her clothing.

Ok, about the convenia...it surely won't hurt her if this problem isn't bacterial.
I'm sure she is uncomfortable having this on her skin. She's probably just acting fine (or at least "fine" as you know her) because this is all she's known and because she's tough (females are strong)!

Please keep us informed of anything you find out and if there are any changes.

 

[ArlosMom]

@GoldHazel I replied on this thread Layla (new baby) vet visit update but no, she's not laying directly in the sun, but her set up is in front of a large window (west facing) so she gets the daylight, but not direct sunlight beating down on her. And yes, you're right--although she's not scratching or acting otherwise abnormal, I am sure they are uncomfortable!
I will certainly keep everyone updated!

@ArlosMom you are very welcome. Last night after reading your posts and seeing your pics, I busted my brain trying to come up with what came to mind and what made sense.
You didn't mention if she lays in the sun a lot...being that these eruptions are only on exposed areas not under her clothing.

Ok, about the convenia...it surely won't hurt her if this problem isn't bacterial.
I'm sure she is uncomfortable having this on her skin. She's probably just acting fine (or at least "fine" as you know her) because this is all she's known and because she's tough (females are strong)!

Please keep us informed of anything you find out and if there are any changes.

 

[GoldHazel]

@ArlosMom just checking up on Layla. Anything new?

 

[ArlosMom]

Hi @GoldHazel ; I started a new post--there were alot of new eruptions this morning. Here is the link to my post New breakouts under neck and more questions..
I am calling first thing in the morning to get her in to the university vet. It's a 2.5 hr. drive each way, but I want answers and I'm not satisfied w/ what my vet told me.
Thanks so much for checking on her. I would be lost without everyone here--I swear!

@ArlosMom just checking up on Layla. Anything new?

 

[GoldHazel]

Hi @GoldHazel ; I started a new post--there were alot of new eruptions this morning. Here is the link to my post New breakouts under neck and more questions..
I am calling first thing in the morning to get her in to the university vet. It's a 2.5 hr. drive each way, but I want answers and I'm not satisfied w/ what my vet told me.
Thanks so much for checking on her. I would be lost without everyone here--I swear!

Aww, hugs to you.
Will be praying that they can immediately identify the problem and it can be an easy and quick solution to clear up these bumps. Who knows, maybe it's something like a food allergy?

Keep in mind the Convenia injection in case they know or think it's bacterial. If they want to give her Clavamox, tell them that it's not going to be extremely helpful to the sphynx breed.

Best of luck.