Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello-
i have a 1 1/2 year old long-haired black kitty. He seems to have these ongoing skin problems that no one can figure out. We have been to 2 different vets. he has been tested for ringworm, feline hiv & leukemia, has had full bloodwork, and has had multiple skin scrapings. Every test comes back negative, and bloodwork is normal. the next step is to do a biopsy. the cat is tempermental, and i feel terrible to keep taking him to the vet. i don't know that a biopsy would truly show much either. I also don't want to put him through this pain. Right now he has this torn skin around his mouth under his chin. It is in scab form right now. Any advice or suggestions would be great. i have been putting anti-biotic cream on his sores (animax). thank you in advance.

Have you tried changing his food? He may have allergies to the food.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

YEs. i have changed his food. He was eating purina, now on authority, and getting ready to try sciene diet formulated for skin problems. doesn't appear to make much difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

Could it be his food dishes. Sometimes there's a soap film left on dishes- even after being rinsed. Since the sores are around his mouth it indicates something that is coming in contact with his mouth- the torn skin could be from his scratching it because it's irritating. Are you using kitty litter that has deoderizing chemicals, etc in it, or baking soda? Try changing his kitty litter to just the plain clay variety, and rinse rinse rinse his food dishes- switch to glass dishes rather than plastic and rinse thoroughly in hot water. As for the scabs- prick open a vitamin E capsule and apply the liquid to the sores.

Thank you. I will try these things. i do use tidy cat litter with deodorizers, i will try the clay litter without the deodorizers. I do use stainless steel dishes, but will attempt the glass ones. i am aware to rinse wellThank you.

see the message I just posted about feline eosinophilic granuloma complex...it can look like what you are describing although that is not how it is presenting it's self in my kitten. A biopsy was necessary to diagnose it. It will be worth it if that is the cause and a treatment can be found.

About the trauma of the biopsy...she was put to sleep for it and although we did have to be careful with her after she got home while the anesthetic was wearing off she was none the worse for wear. She was given a pain med she took after and has few self dissolving stitches....not a big deal....to be honest IMHO this condition going untreated is way worse then the biopsy. If I were you, if your vet is recomending the biopsy I would seriously consider it just in case this is what you are dealing with.

Deb
owned by Booger and Tiny Dancer and the mom of the late, great Kakel

Try applying vitamin E to the areas- prick open a capsule and apply. Also adding two teaspoons of cold-pressed flaxseed oil ( keep the flaxseed oil refrigerated) as well as a capsule of salmon oil daily to the diet .