Itchy cat

[SomethingOnce]

I wondered if anybody has experience with an itchy cat and the treatment?

Old mog has always had a tendency to scratch at himself leaving worn patches, sometimes scabs.

The vet said years ago it's a reaction to fleas, but he's regularly treated and we've never seen a flea on him in over 10 years.

He recently had his annual visit and the vet prescribed some kind of anti itching tablets; he went for a check up, and was given more of the same medication, two weeks later.

Since then, two weeks ago, he has been scratching and grooming so much that he had taken most of the fur off the inside of his back legs and looks distinctly threadbare elsewhere.

We're going to take him back again at the weekend, but the treatment seems to have worsened his problem.

Wondered if anybody had ever had this happen to their cat?

Could he have a skin disorder of some sort? Fleas aren't always the result of itching although the most common. They can also suffer from skin conditions that result in what you've described.

Thanks for the reply.

It's possible I suppose, but the vet prescribed whatever this medication is (small pink oval things, no indication on the pot what they are) for his itchy skin so I can't understand why it seems to have made the problem worse.

He's an indoor cat so I regularly see his litter tray contents and I haven't seen worms either.

I wonder if it's a medication reaction but I can't check up online as I've no idea what it is!

Has he lost weight? I think itchiness can be a symptom of thyroid (may be wrong though!)

I have same problem with mine-haven't got the anti itch tabs, but he is grooming himself bald. not a flea to be seen. i changed his diet to james wellbeloved dry and it helped for a bit. we were taking him to the vet, given steroids and anti biotics, clear up a bit then back again.

My cat does this and gets steroid injections for when it flares up. He's been diagnosed as having feline hyperaesthesia...

He's not quite the sturdy fellow he once was, Wolfie, but we put it down to age (he adopted us as a young stray 14 years ago). I'll ask the vet about thyroid issues - thanks for the suggestion.

Glad it's not just us, Ohwhat. Does yours also suffer with furballs as a result?!

I Googled 'pink oval cat tablet Upjohn' (the tiny text on the tablet says Upjohn) and it turns out they are Methylprednisolone, a glucocorticoid (steroid) for inflammatory and allergic conditions.

I'll report back if/when we crack the itchy problem!

Is that vet talk for very sensitive cat? [blows dust off Latin GCSE]

Sounds about right - maybe he just needs a big ol' injection!

Yes I think so. It is also known as rolling skin syndrome. Cats who have it will shrug their skin as you stroke their back, which mine definitely does.

Tablet sounds like MedroneV (Upjohn company disappeared in take over about 12 years ago). It is illegal to dispense medication without a label on it identifying the contents and I would contact the practice manager about this as it should never happen. What if your child had accidentally swallowed them you would have no info to take to the hospital.
Of soap box and back to cat allergies are the most common cause of itchiness in cats with flea allergies at the top. Next on the list is house dust mites. If your cat is not responding to treatment the next thing would be a skin work up and bloods to check for allergies. Then a treatment plan can be made.

Are you talking any dust mites, Lone, or a heavy load. (Which might be capable of being tackled.)

Any house dust mites Cozie, some cats are allergic so any exposure can cause them problems.

Oh Dear - because we all have them. Just some more so than others.