Hagrid is gone. Update #40

[Prairie Purrs]

The vet thinks my big tuxie has allergies of some sort. He's been shaking his head and scratching his ears, and he lost his appetite, which is unheard of for Hagrid.

He had a Depo-Medrol shot on Tuesday, and I resorted to Fancy Feast to get him to eat. He's been inhaling the Fancy Feast, and his ears do seem a bit less itchy, but otherwise he hasn't been at all perky. He's got a follow-up vet visit Monday.

No clue so far what he might be allergic to. Up until he decided he didn't want to eat it anymore, he's been chowing down on good quality food. I haven't used any new cleaning products lately, and I avoid harsh chemicals.

I'm worried about my handsome fella. I don't know why he'd suddenly develop allergies at age 9. I just hope to find some way to make him feel better very soon.

[columbine]

If it's any help, chlorpheniramine (generic Chlor-Trimeton, often available as generic "allergy relief" pills) has been proven safe for cats. 1/4 of a 4 mg table ground up & dissolved in water, then mushed up in smelly canned food, twice a day, can really take the edge off of an itch until you identify the culprit. Just make sure chlorpheniramine is the ONLY ingredient.

Kicking all the grains out of Smudge's food was a big help to him, but all this rainy weather might be responsible for the remainder of his itchies, as mold is another common feline allergen.

Good luck, Hagrid! If your human wants to rub something soothing on your ouchies, emu oil is totally safe, and doesn't taste too bad either.

Love, Columbine

[Prairie Purrs]

Columbine, thank you for the info! June was an extremely rainy month around here, and mold counts have been high or very high all summer, so perhaps that's the culprit.

I'm hoping it's not food allergies. Regulating his diet will be tough because (once his appetite returns to normal) it won't be easy to keep him out of the other cats' food.

I'll look into the chlorpheniramine and the emu oil. Thanks again!

[Medusa]

Is Hagrid losing hair, especially at the sites where he's itching the most? My Creamsicle has allergies and we don't know what she's allergic to either, most likely food but what? As soon as I take her off the Prednisolone, she loses hair by the handfuls. If it's an environmental allergy, you'll have fun trying to find out what it is that Hagrid's allergic to. In the meantime, I sure hope that he feels better soon. He's such a big, handsome tuxie boy!

[Prairie Purrs]

Is Hagrid losing hair, especially at the sites where he's itching the most? My Creamsicle has allergies and we don't know what she's allergic to either, most likely food but what? As soon as I take her off the Prednisolone, she loses hair by the handfuls. If it's an environmental allergy, you'll have fun trying to find out what it is that Hagrid's allergic to. In the meantime, I sure hope that he feels better soon. He's such a big, handsome tuxie boy!

His ears have taken the brunt of it, although there's one sore spot on his head where he's lost some fur. His coat is much duller than usual, though. It's usually so soft and glossy.

[Medusa]

His ears have taken the brunt of it, although there's one sore spot on his head where he's lost some fur. His coat is much duller than usual, though. It's usually so soft and glossy.

That's where it started w/Creamsicle. Then she lost almost all her hair on her tail; it looked like a rat's tail. When you pet him, lightly tug on his fur and see if it easily comes out in what my vet called "paint brush" clumps. If so, it's important that you get some meds for the itching. My vet said that it's like having poison ivy and it's very uncomfortable for them. C's coat was always soft, too, but it felt lifeless and lacked sheen once the allergy took hold.

[columbine]

A skin/coat supplement might help too, to strengthen the skin so it heals faster. Ask your vet about 3V Caps. (Don't ask Hagrid - it's fish oil, he'll insist on it!)

Love, Columbine

[Prairie Purrs]

When you pet him, lightly tug on his fur and see if it easily comes out in what my vet called "paint brush" clumps. If so, it's important that you get some meds for the itching.

No clumps of fur coming out, thank goodness. I'll be asking my vet about itch remedies, though, because I don't want things to reach that point if at all possible.

[Prairie Purrs]

A skin/coat supplement might help too, to strengthen the skin so it heals faster. Ask your vet about 3V Caps. (Don't ask Hagrid - it's fish oil, he'll insist on it!)

Love, Columbine

I'll add 3V Caps to the list. Thanks!

[Prairie Purrs]

I'm really worried about my big boy. He's taking prednisolone but he's getting worse instead of better. His ears are raw and scaly, and his paws are itchy, too. He keeps shaking his paws as if he's stepped in something. And he's not eating enough--he'll take a few bites and that's it. I've been offering him food every couple of hours to try to get enough in him to at least keep him from dropping a lot more weight.

He had blood work done yesterday, but the results most likely won't be back until tomorrow. I'm scared that there might be something much worse than allergies going on here.

Please send Hagrid some healing thoughts. He's a sad and miserable kitty cat right now.

[Medusa]

Aw, poor boy. He does really sound miserable. Of course, we'll keep the prayers going.

[Catty1]

Prayers for dear Hagrid. He is SUCH a handsome boy.

9 isn't old at all...I hope a solution is found quickly!

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for Hagrid.

[jennielynn1970]

Sending lots of love and healing prayers for that gorgeous tuxie boy, Hagrid. Feel better soon!!!

[lvpets2002]

Sending Lots of Prayers & Huggss for Hagrid.. Your such a Adorable baby.. Get well real soon..