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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kara lynne on August 22, 2003, at 20:39:21
My cat has always had sensitive skin, but now she's chewing her tummy fur right off. She's had a lot of stress moving with me lately and that might be part of it. The vet put her on Flagyll (heavy meds) for another condition and said the only way to treat the itching is with a cortisone shot at a later time. Anything topical the cat will lick off.
I know there is much controversy out there lately as to what you should feed cats; the new thinking is only wet food, it used to be mostly dry food. I can't go to extremes--one friend told me to call a holistic vet in New Mexico who would prescribe a homeopathic remedy, but he likes all the cats to eat raw meat and you have to go to great measures to prepare it, and change their entire lifestyle. (I'm sure he would want her off the Flagyll, but I'm going to have her finish it.)
I can barely make dinner for myself at this point, but I want to know if anyone knows of anything that might help my kitty and her itchy skin, that isn't too complicated.
I am giving her Bach flower remedies occasionally for her frazzled nerves.
Thank you in advance.
Meow.
Posted by Gabbix2 on August 22, 2003, at 22:40:35
In reply to Anyone know holistic remedies for cats?, posted by kara lynne on August 22, 2003, at 20:39:21
Hey,
When Trash did that, he chewed of all the hair from his butt and hind legs, and he looked ridiculous, but that is beside the point.I was told to use cortisone, but I thought it was probably due to stress, so to cover both bases I mixed tea tree oil with lavender.
I thought the lavender would be calming, as well and both oils are anti inflammatory anti-itch germicidal/ anti bacterial and keep microspic mites and other nasties at bay.
It worked really really well and quickly
and its absorbed so quickly into the skin he didn't have time to lick it off. Even if he had,
it works systemically and its non-toxic.It might be worth a try, even if it doesn't work for herm they're good basic oils to have in the medicine cabinet.
Our poor kitties, I wish they could write these moves have been so hard on them. Trash is so mopey again. I'm ready to take him for a beer.
Posted by justyourlaugh on August 22, 2003, at 22:52:38
In reply to Re: Anyone know holistic remedies for cats? » kara lynne, posted by Gabbix2 on August 22, 2003, at 22:40:35
true passionate ones feel for everything...
...
alot of breeds have troubles with skin conditions ...lapso's...
but i found it much more rampid when the dogs were a cross between poodles(non alergenic..and something that is not}...
what has worked wonders for me is foot powder...
its greAT their for the inner ears too...
feet itchies can be caused from walking on pavement...back iichies can be also caused by pain(hips)
j
Posted by kara lynne on August 22, 2003, at 23:22:15
In reply to Re: Anyone know holistic remedies for cats?, posted by justyourlaugh on August 22, 2003, at 22:52:38
Thanks guys,
"Our poor kitties, I wish they could write these moves have been so hard on them..."
Time for kitty babble?
Posted by BekkaH on August 23, 2003, at 0:52:37
In reply to Anyone know holistic remedies for cats?, posted by kara lynne on August 22, 2003, at 20:39:21
Hi. There is a book by Anitra Frazier that may interest you. It's called "THE NATURAL CAT: A HOLISTIC GUIDE FOR FINICKY OWNERS."
Posted by BekkaH on August 23, 2003, at 0:54:46
In reply to Anyone know holistic remedies for cats? - karalynn, posted by BekkaH on August 23, 2003, at 0:52:37
Oop! I see on Amazon that there is a newer edition than the one I mentioned above. The newer one is "THE NEW NATURAL CAT."
Posted by BekkaH on August 23, 2003, at 12:39:42
In reply to Anyone know holistic remedies for cats?, posted by kara lynne on August 22, 2003, at 20:39:21
Karalynne, although I mentioned the names of the "holistic" cat care books, I think it's best to check with your veterinarian before following any of the suggestions in Frazier's book. I think she is a bit of a fanatic, and she has no medical or veterinary training. As you may know, there are many herbs and plants that are toxic to cats, just as there are many herbs and plants that are toxic to humans. Remember: "Natural" does not necessarily mean safe.
Posted by kalyb on August 24, 2003, at 4:40:27
In reply to holistic remedies for cats? - karalynne, posted by BekkaH on August 23, 2003, at 12:39:42
Hey kara,
sorry to hear your kitty is frazzled.
One of my cats - no longer with me, I was forced painfully to rehome them last year - did this fur pulling frequently. It was directly related to stress - while she seemed the serenest most laid-back cat on the surface, sometimes she would chew all the hair from her front legs down to the claws. I had her spayed, on advice that she wouldn't do it then, which partly worked since coming into heat would trigger it off. But she still picked up on my stress levels sometimes and would do it when she felt me worrying. The happy part is that she has only done it once, very lightly, since going to her new home, so, painful as it is to accept, I have to acknowledge she is happier there than she was with me... *sigh*
Unfortunately there's not much I can advise, but you might want to try one of the herbal remedies safe for cats... Valerian is okay for them, also catnip can have a sedative effect.
It might do to have a word with your vet, I know you wanted something holistic but this is one case where a mild cat-safe AD or tranq could help her. Then look into the behavioural issues of her fur pulling and see if you can help with the root causes. (Sound familiar...? lol).
Hope this helps... I'll try to post soon about how my life is these days... a lot happier but still with the evil landlady and the contrast of going back there after time spent at New Guy's place (and being myself) is very, very difficult to bear....
Kalyb xx
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