pics #18; flair up it is BAD

[Freedom]

Bobby had a recheck at the vet this morning. The vet was amazed with my list of questions for him, he he and asked about PT.

Bobby's scabs have started healing a little bit and some are coming off.

Vet didn't want to use depo or ati--- (something ) because Bobby is FIP + and the mix isn't recommended as it supresses the immune system too much. Thanks for the info, Medusa.

We are going to:
keep on the prednisone once per day
start the chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg twice per day (thanks, columbine)
Hill's z/d low allergen dry kibble food

I had switched foods for Bobby on Tuesday evening, to the Nutro chicken and rice. But the vet said as this itching has been going on for some time, we need to get Bobby some relief. And with the over the counter foods, it may not include fish but is processed where they process the food with the fish. So we need to start tough to get the itching to stop post haste.

It should be interesting trying to feed Bobby himself with so many pets in the house and to make sure I put down and pick up everyone else's food while he is separated.

[Medusa]

As long as Bobby's getting relief, that's the important thing. I have to take Cgirl in again tomorrow for another depo shot. I tried some new snacks and she got the sores back again. Dumb me, I just thought I'd try something new. I'm cutting out snacks altogether. Hopefully, that'll do the trick. Can't very well give snacks to the rest of the fur posse and not Cgirl. They went all their lives w/out snacks til just a few months ago, so they can go w/out them again. Well, you and your vet are on top of things, so I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of it.

[Freedom]

Well, things were getting slightly better, the sores were healing and the scabs coming off. I ran out of meds and knew I had to take another pet in the next day, so we skipped the meds for JUST 24 hours. OMG, POOR BOBBY.

Right now he is:
wearing an e collar (been on 5 weeks)
eating z/d low allergen food
taking chlor tri meton 2 mg twice per day
taking cefa drops 1.5 ml once per day

I think a flair up like this in 24 ours means the food is not the problem!

Here are the pics. They are a bit graphic.
This is just the top of his back. He is like this head to tail!





We had a skin scraping, there are NO mites.
Anyone have any ideas? Should I take him in to the vet tomorrow (Friday) to let him see what happened in the 24 hour laspe (which the vet does NOT know I stopped the meds for 24 hours.)

[Freedom]

Just did a quick on line search, and I MAY have xcaused this flair up. I gave him a bath about 2 hours back.

It says that warm water can cause this; cool water would have helped him.

Also says the shampoo may cause this flair up.

Oh Bobby, I am SO sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen!

[jazzcat]

Ouch! That looks painful. Poor Bobby, I hope you get well soon.

[kb2yjx]

O my!!! That is a bad looking rash!! Our Riley who is allergic to many things NEVER had a rash like that!!!! Can your boy eat the z/d canned(which Riley was allergic to)instead of the dry? I think the dry has BHA, BHT, and ethnquion(sp) as perservatives. Riley is doing well on the canned EVO and for a treat gets some goats' milk(HE LOVES MILK). PLease keep us posted....Prayers of healing and comfort out to you and Bobby....

[moosmom]

Sandie,

Ask your vet about Pemphigus Aereolis (sp?). All the symptoms you've describe are identical to PA, a suppressed immune system problem.

The cat's immune system kills the cells that make new skin. It causes painful scabs and itching. Advanced PA means it's spread to the nailbeds. My cat RB Marina Mar had it and by the time I caught it (the vet diagnosed her with ringworm) it was in the advanced stages.

You and Bobby will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Poor Bobby. I hope that the vet will be able to give you something to make him more comfortable. I also hope that you'll be able to find out what's causing this. Bobby will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[kb2yjx]

Another possible ailment to ask about: mycosis fungoides. You can GOOGLE it for a description and some sites have photos. Sometimes a vet can feel threatened when you are suggesting a diagnosis. However, if I had not done that with our cat, Molly Meu, after reading a vet question and answer page in Animal Companion, she would be dead right now. Molly has exocrine pancreatic insuffiency(EPI)and was starving to death because she lacked the enzymes to digest her food. I read the symptoms that were mentioned in the column and quickly called and faxed the vet the info. Molly was started on the pancreatic enzymes and had the blood test the next day. Molly looked 200% better in 3 days, and is doing very well. I know I have digressed from your cat's problem, but we are the advocates for these creatures that cannot speak for themselves. You are doing the right thing by asking the vet lots of questions!!!! Is there a 24 hour/day emergency animal hospital in your area that might have a vet dermatologist in your area??? Maybe that is where you should take Bobby!!!

[Freedom]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I phoned the vet this morning. He has stopped teh Chlor tri meton and we will start BEnadryl.

I go in tomorrow with Marlin and maybe Lacey; will consider taking Bobby as well (he told me to feel free). I may just take in the photos, as it is not nearly as red now.

I will DEFINITELY bring in all these questions tomorrow! Thanks so much.

kb2yjx, I agree with you, we are the advocates for our pets. The vet I used for 14 years really didn't appreciate it when I asked questions. This new vet (I had to get a new one for the foster dogs, as the prior vet didn't work with rescue groups) is pleased when the owner shows involvement in the pet's care. He was astounded when I took in a list of questions the first time I took Bobby in (from the earlier part of this thread). He has gotten used to me taking the initiative with the foster dogs, as well. He says he expects me to arrive with text manuals in hand at any time now! He also does research on line and has given me some printouts for one of the foster dogs. What is odd: he is OLDER (by about 8 years) than the other vet! Ah well. Thanks again!

[Donnaj4962]

Awww, poor sweet Bobby. I hope he is better soon. That looks very painful.

[kb2yjx]

Hi Freedom!!! What I find interesting, is that sometimes a younger person can be less open to change than an older one!!! But at least your newer vet does not mind the questions!!!! Good luck today at the vet!!!