Flea Allergy?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
September 12, 2010 3:00pm CST
This is difficult because I cannot see the cat in question.
When Mum spoke to me on the 'phone earlier she was telling me about Ellie, one of her cats. Now, Mum has treated both Ellie and Soxx with Frontline Spot On. This stuff normally works wonders but Ellie is still having problems with her skin near her tail. Apparently, the fur is course and there's a slight bald patch developing in that area ONLY.
Now, Ellie is a rotund cat so Mum brushes her regularly as she cannot groom herself properly in the area I mention. Soxx has no trouble grooming herself but still gets brushed like Ellie does. Her fur is fine.
Despite the Frontline treatment Mum hasn't actually seen any fleas on her cats but Ellie's skin problem persists.
I feel sorry for Mum because her neighbour (with a basket) has fallen out with her and she doesn't know why so she can't ask to borrow it like she normally does when taking her cat to the vet. Mum doesn't have transport but Greenwood would charge her so she doesn't want to ask him for a lift either.
So, the only option is to find out if there is reliable treatment for a cat's skin complaint that is available without prescription? I suspect there isn't but I'm sure it's worth a try.
I've often wondered too if one dose of Frontline wasn't enough for Ellie due to her size (sorry, but I don't know her weight) so could that be an option too. Expensive though isn't it..and if the problem is something else and not fleas we're back to square one.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I feel sorry for Mum because her neighbour (with a basket) has fallen out with her and she doesn't know why so she can't ask to borrow it like she normally does when taking her cat to the vet. Mum doesn't have transport but Greenwood would charge her so she doesn't want to ask him for a lift either.
So, the only option is to find out if there is reliable treatment for a cat's skin complaint that is available without prescription? I suspect there isn't but I'm sure it's worth a try.
I've often wondered too if one dose of Frontline wasn't enough for Ellie due to her size (sorry, but I don't know her weight) so could that be an option too. Expensive though isn't it..and if the problem is something else and not fleas we're back to square one.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.2 people like this
6 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Sep 10
Have you ever shampooed your cats? It's something I was thinking of mentioning to Mum but I don't know how effective it is..if at all.
2 people like this
@green1223 (57)
• China
13 Sep 10
I am sorry to heard that your mum's have this trouble . i think maybe its house is not cleanly enough ,you can have try to change hose or do some sterilized to it . your mum is a kind women . all the best !
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Sep 10
Yes, my Mum is a very kind woman, you're right!
As for the house, believe me, she keeps it spik and span lol. There are areas of the house the cats aren't even allowed to go in so Mum can clean up a lot easier than if they were allowed to go everywhere. Don't worry though; they have loads of space so they're not stressed out or anything..lovely big garden at the back too.
When I speak to Mum again tomorrow I think I shall mention the vet. Only he or she can determine what's really wrong with Ellie because - at the moment, we're only guessing aren't we?
My brother has a kind friend who may give Mum a lift instead of meanie Greenwood so I'll let everyone know what happens after I ring her tomorrow.
As for the house, believe me, she keeps it spik and span lol. There are areas of the house the cats aren't even allowed to go in so Mum can clean up a lot easier than if they were allowed to go everywhere. Don't worry though; they have loads of space so they're not stressed out or anything..lovely big garden at the back too.
When I speak to Mum again tomorrow I think I shall mention the vet. Only he or she can determine what's really wrong with Ellie because - at the moment, we're only guessing aren't we?
My brother has a kind friend who may give Mum a lift instead of meanie Greenwood so I'll let everyone know what happens after I ring her tomorrow.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
12 Sep 10
This is possible, and if you or your pet has flea allergies, then you have to be vigilante about treating there fleas every month. Another thing, remove your cats from the house for a couple of days, and de-flea the rugs and get a carpet cleaner in there to remove the fleas from the carpets. Bathing the pets once a month also does the trick.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Sep 10
I will bear all that in mind, thanks.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
13 Sep 10
"itch stop"(not a referral link)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3495
this stuff works wonders,i get it for my tortie/calico who will also dig at herself.
for flea and general skin allergy "hot spots".
vets have a sulfur based shampoo and also allergy shots.
(i know you said no prescription,but i thought i'd mention it)
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Sep 10
Bathing a cat is something neither myself nor my Mum has ever undertaken..and before I did all my research last night I never thought cats could actually be shampooed lol.
What I'm planning on doing is ring Mum up tomorrow like I normally do and advise her to take Ellie to the vets. She may be able to get a lift off a pal of my brother's instead of Greenwood (who would charge her of course, despite the vet being down the road) although I'm unsure what she's going to do about a carrier. It's frustrating because I live 100 miles away but have an ace carrier in the shed..and I won't be seeing her until the end of October so I don't think Ellie can wait that long, otherwise her skin condition will get worse, especially with Autumn nearly upon us.
Thanks for the link though, at least it gives me some ideas as to what is "out there."
What I'm planning on doing is ring Mum up tomorrow like I normally do and advise her to take Ellie to the vets. She may be able to get a lift off a pal of my brother's instead of Greenwood (who would charge her of course, despite the vet being down the road) although I'm unsure what she's going to do about a carrier. It's frustrating because I live 100 miles away but have an ace carrier in the shed..and I won't be seeing her until the end of October so I don't think Ellie can wait that long, otherwise her skin condition will get worse, especially with Autumn nearly upon us.
Thanks for the link though, at least it gives me some ideas as to what is "out there."1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
19 Sep 10
i've actually had a couple cats that enjoyed being bathed..
but usually when they became geezers and the warmth felt good on the ol' bones LOL
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Sep 10
I don't know who Ellie's parents were as she was a rescue cat. Her colourings are black and white so I don't think she has a Siamese parent. Thanks for mentioning it though.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
12 Sep 10
My daughter's cat was allergic to fleas. She would break out real bad whenever she came in contact with them. My daughter had to watch her cat in special shampoo and make sure she didn't get outside or anywhere near any fleas, or any other animals that had them.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Sep 10
I will mention the shampoo to Mum next time I speak to her. I've only just found out that cats can be shampooed!
1 person likes this
