Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Hi guys,

My dear cat Moki had some troubles adjusting after a long 11 Hour Plane ride to Saudi Arabia. But it's been over a month and things are OK now.

I noticed [A few days before I left KL] Moki scratching his neck area excessively. Until now, it's still pretty bad. Anyway, first there were bald spots here and there [Just around his neck]. Now, the bald spots are getting bigger, and there are blood marks under the skin but no cut or anything. I'm afraid it might be a fungal problem? or allergies? Moki does not have Fleas or other skin problems. He was examined by 2 vets before I left, and was certified healthy.

I want to make sure it's nothing serious because the Vet prices here are ridiculous! [Spaying a cat is RM775! and to treat an ear infection is RM475!{sweat}] I'll just get the medication. If necessary, I will go to the vet. {sweat}

Here's a picture:

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/8766/69228357.jpg

What do you guys think?

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Hi Neems,
It looks like my dear Ashanta's old spot. Vet told me, she got allergic in flea bites.. because nearby to the spot area got ''poo'' from the flea -that's what they call it.. it looks like dirt/black dusts but if you pick up those with cotton buds and put it in damped cotton and it changes to red then u'll know you got a major flea problem.
Hope it's not. Let me show you Ashanta's old pic.
This bite was located near the base of her tail. As far as I know, fleas love the area of the neck and the base of pet's tail.
Although Ashanta have no fleas but this one bite caused her a lot of problem. She is allergic. She almost ran off with furs and she got fever afterwards.
But now she is fine.
Sorry for the image... it's quite blur, just took the pic from mobile.

Attachment 10466

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Hi! Thanks for yur reply.

It's weird if it's flea bite, because Moki has no fleas at all, and was flea-free eversince he was about 6 months old. [He's one years old now]

Your cats condition looks similar to mine. What did the vet suggest? Did you have to go to the vet for medication? What did you use? I'm getting abit worried now, because it's Winter season here, and my cats have been sneezing none stop! :( If this is serious and Moki gets a fever because of that bite, oh my lord. I don't know how much it's going to cost at the vet. {sweat}

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Hi, Neems -- it's nice to hear from you again! I hope your father is doing well now.

You mentioned that your cats have been sneezing a lot, and Marcelleve suggested that Moki's little raw spot might be an allergic reaction to a flea bite. Those two things make me wonder if he's having a general allergic reaction, maybe to different things.

I've never had to deal with allergies in cats before, so I just did a quick search on the internet. It turns out that there are antihistamine medications for cats, but they're different from the ones we humans take, so that would require a trip to the expensive vet. {arrogant}

Have you tried an anti-itch ointment or lotion that you might find at a pharmacy on that spot? Perhaps if he stops digging at it, it would heal.

Will you be staying in Saudi Arabia, or returning to Malaysia? Best of luck to you and Moki, either way! {good}

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Salam Neems,

Kefhalak?

The Vet told me ,it is allergy from a flea bite, after she got transported from Sarawak. She might got that from other animals aboard or he said even the flea is dormant in cool climate but it will jump once have a warm bodied animals/human walked by.
During her check-up, the vet found no fleas on her and her symptoms were sneezing and feverish which rules out allergic reactions. Spots/itchiness/rashes started to spread around the spot where she get bitten.
Vet just gave me anti-biotic and Vitamin B complex for her immune system.
He also gave me Frontline to avoid flea bites and he advised me to spray it on her neck and base of the tail every after bath. But I did not use it since I bought Pet health plus & Brewer's yeast online.

I also change her food from NutriEdge/Avoderm to EVO kibbles only and Wellness can food just to ease her off from itchiness but she don't have food allergies. She loves to eat cheese/yogurt with my hubby.
I make her eat raw or slightly steam food with 2tbsp of olive oil (anti-oxidant properties/fur ball problem) , I also gave her Evening Primrose Oil for pet before she sleeps.
I felt pity when she was shivering while eating.

After 2 days, I visited the vet again, because Ashanta is just a kitten, he gave her antihistamine and advised me to give her other half in the morning because he give her shots as well- another stress factor for her, I went home with more furs in my clothing and hands.
He advised me to continue the 5 days of anti-biotic and Vit. B. Although Ashanta have supplements at home but her medication is concentrated to Vitamin B only.

Just like Amanda said anti-itch lotion helps and antihistamine.

I kept using Pet heath Plus by Paws for her anti-itch and even she licked it, it is safe, in fact, they used it for less smelly in cat's poo by mixing some in the water.
I spray it only to deter fleas , anti-fungal and flea bite every after bath. I used Melaseb but after 2x using it, I changed it to Petdriatric Shampoo only 'coz she have rashes and thus making her skin prone to sensitivity but have to get rid of the flakes/itchiness and it is anti-bacteria as well.I find it very mild 'coz she don't make a noise at all rather than Melaseb.
Then, I rinsed her with apple vinegar with a drop of olive oil diluted in water. Apple/peach vinegar are not too acidic and it is more natural. We are using Qaha brand for apple vinegar. I think a lot there than here.

Her supplements Brewer's Yeast ( due to garlic content make the flea go away from her) and since she lose her appetite because of the medicine, I gave her Nutri-Plus gel in the morning then I lessen it to once a week.
Her supplements assist her immune as well, because she was only 4 months and her critical condition that time was giving her a lot of stress.
She lost her furs but now she is regaining her furs back and she gained weight and she also have ALL Systems shampoo & Gimpet Multi-Vitamin Plus with TGO for maintenance but I lessen the Nutri-Plus gel intake, Pet tissue & Petdriatic Pet safe (edible so safe from licking) every after she goes out with me apart from what I mentioned earlier.
Before she went out, I rub on little amount of Olive oil to her furs all over her body but I avoid the surrounding eye area only.

It was a tough to give her anti-biotic and Vit. B tabs coz I have to open her mouth most of the times but I learned a trick to blow little air on her face.
She is also drinking water mix with few drops of apple vinegar.

Hope this info. helps.. although most of the products are expensive because of online shopping (no pet shop in Langkawi, a lot of extra charges to food, supplements and accesories) but at least we rather know that she is healthy & happy internally/externally in the long run, we are very happy, too.

InshaAllah 'mamoshkillah' as of now.

When are you coming back to KL, please let us know, my hubby and I are dying to eat Kunafa. {shy} Let me know how much.
email: fatimaheve@gmail.com

Wassalam with thanks,
Eve

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

@Maneki Neko: Hi! How are you? My dad is doing well, he started walking again today. :) Thanks for asking.

The raw patch on Moki is starting to heal now. But he has a new patch on the back of his ear. I did try the anti itch lotion thing and it did work. :) Weird thing is his whiskers dropped too! That kinda worried me for awhile, but then I read it's normal?

I am returning to Malaysia probably in April. Hopefully after my dads 3rd operation. Thanks again for your help.


@ Eve: Thanks for taking the time to explain to me everything. :) What is Kunafa? lol. I don't really eat Middle eastern food. I'll try looking for you. Do you have MSN?

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

Hi Neems,
Sweet with grounded coconut shredding. My hubby said maybe Basboosa you will know. Because Kunafa originated from Egypt.
How's your kitty?
Hope everything went well.

I have MSN but I always use my yahoo and gmail. :)
yahoo: e_vommer msn:marcelleve

Re: Cat skin problems. Need help.
 

my cat is having the same problem now..i think he got it from other cat from the neighbourhood...all the same symptom..sneezing.