Cat with Skin Issues and Hair Loss
My sister has a female domestic short hair cat about two years old. She has a history of feline acne under her chin and a brown, crusty substance that forms in her ears. She has been treated with a ...
Forum Discussion
There is obviously an undiagnosed parasite condition or an issue with this kitten's immune system.
The infectious/parasitic causes seem to have been treated or eliminated that pretty much leaves the unusual:
1. overwhelmed and unable to deal with usual infections (like acne) or
2. immune mediated/auto-immune disease (many possible - like pemphigus)
3. severe allergic reaction to ???
Food allergies do happen and it's worth trying a limited ingredient food with a single protein and single carb source.
Antihistamines can help, my favorite in cats is chlorpheniramine (it's available OTC).
BUT, my suggestion is to get another opinion with a fresh set of eyes, probably a dermatologist would be your best bet.
The most frustrating case in a cat I had in 37 years of practice was one I referred to the derm dept at Purdue. The cat cleared up when in their hospital and relapsed every time it went home. Nothing worked. After about a year back and forth, totally unrelated the owner stopped smoking and THE CAT CLEARED UP. Go figure, the cat was allergic to tobacco.
Allergies can be really hard to track down and require a very dedicated owner willing to communicate with a vet that's willing to communicate.
Doug, DVM
The infectious/parasitic causes seem to have been treated or eliminated that pretty much leaves the unusual:
1. overwhelmed and unable to deal with usual infections (like acne) or
2. immune mediated/auto-immune disease (many possible - like pemphigus)
3. severe allergic reaction to ???
Food allergies do happen and it's worth trying a limited ingredient food with a single protein and single carb source.
Antihistamines can help, my favorite in cats is chlorpheniramine (it's available OTC).
BUT, my suggestion is to get another opinion with a fresh set of eyes, probably a dermatologist would be your best bet.
The most frustrating case in a cat I had in 37 years of practice was one I referred to the derm dept at Purdue. The cat cleared up when in their hospital and relapsed every time it went home. Nothing worked. After about a year back and forth, totally unrelated the owner stopped smoking and THE CAT CLEARED UP. Go figure, the cat was allergic to tobacco.
Allergies can be really hard to track down and require a very dedicated owner willing to communicate with a vet that's willing to communicate.
Doug, DVM
