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The litter tray

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Original poster

Cat scratching his face to bits

97 replies

MrsCatE · 20/08/2023 13:16

We noticed on Friday that LittleBeast was scratching around his ears. This escalated rapidly to his eyebrows and corners of his eyes. He is scratching himself raw.

We had online (Zoom) vet consultation yesterday (couldn't get vet access at weekend) and they recommended collar and anti bac spray - both arrived this morning. Cat got collar off in 3 seconds.

We've now put him in his carrier with the hope that a few hours of restricted space will stop the scratching cycle and aid healing.

Obviously, will try and get him to vets first thing.

He's an indoor cat however, we take him out in the garden on a harness. I doubt he's been bitten or stung because the scratching is symmetrical so assume mites or strange allergy? Definitely not fleas.

He's up to date with all his shots, eating, drinking and toileting as normal.

I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks x

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Original poster
MrsCatE · 26/08/2023 21:48

He now appears to have peed in his toy box. I say 'appears' because doesn't smell awful but no other possibility of spillage or leaks. Also, third day without a poo. Do steroids bung them up? Still eating and drinking well. Cone is still on.

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Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 10:50

Waiting for another online vet appointment. LittleBeast has pissed outside the litter tray and still not Poo'd. He is very clean and we've never had an issue previously. We keep placing him in the litter tray but he immediately jumps out. He will approach the tray but backs off - It seems to be a depth perception thing; he goes up to it but think the collar knocking against the 'entrance' (originally, a very large enclosed tray but we've never had the cover on). He's normally happy jumping into it from the sides or back so very confused! We took the collar off for 10 minutes to try and encourage a poo but didn't work - he took the opportunity to wash his face (no scratching) however, now looks a bit red where he's managed to dislodge scabs although no weeping.

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Shady23 · 27/08/2023 10:52

Random but would antihistamines help?

grmsk · 27/08/2023 10:55

@MrsCatE My last cat did this. He was allergic to harvest mites so it usually started in late summer/ early autumn. The vets prescribed piritone and it worked excellently.

grmsk · 27/08/2023 10:56

Obviously don’t give him human antihistamines but just the ones the vet prescribes as it needs to be the right dosage!

GeraldTheGoodMouse · 27/08/2023 11:06

Spread a couple of puppy pads out with a layer of litter in the middle (enough to dig around a bit) and see if he will toilet there, no tray edges might help.

Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 11:08

Many thanks @grmsk and @Shady23. I would have thought so too re antihistamines because vets attributed issue as an allergic reaction. Although they didn't take any samples they ruled out harvest mites - just from a visual check. I'm a bit peeved - we'll be back for a third appointment tomorrow and the bill is almost £400 already but we have insurance. Most annoyed about the advice to not use a cone in the first place. He's such a lovely, cuddly, good natured cat and it's horrible to see him miserable. He just wants to be glued to me and he's so sad! I don't give a shit (pun intended) where he poos now as long as he does! Have ordered probiotic from Dr Google.

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Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 11:10

@GeraldTheGoodMouse that's a great idea! We had put cardboard out by the tray with a sprinkling of litter because his previous poo and wee were both done in cardboard boxes.

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Shady23 · 27/08/2023 11:13

I would ask about piriton dosage
Don't pay vet prices for it though, it is the same drug

Crazycatladyy · 27/08/2023 11:13

If he still has wounds which need healing try a salt water solution on them apply with cotton wool.

grmsk · 27/08/2023 12:10

Shady23 · 27/08/2023 11:13

I would ask about piriton dosage
Don't pay vet prices for it though, it is the same drug

It’s super cheap when you get it from the vet

Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 12:27

Thank you all. @Crazycatladyy I was worried about using a salt solution because he'd eventually lick off. We were prescribed an antiseptic spray which he obviously hates - even if dabbed on with sterile gauze.

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SnapdragonToadflax · 27/08/2023 13:19

Our vet says antihistamines don't work for cats, unfortunately. That's why they prescribe steroids instead.

Iamacatslave · 27/08/2023 13:49

Your poor gorgeous boy. Regarding his bowels, would he lick the oil from tinned tuna? I’ve know this to work on bunged up cats. I really hope he gets better soon.

Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 14:34

Many thanks all and we have success!!! He's poo'd and in the litter tray - whoopee! Thanks for the tip re tuna oil @Iamacatslave but he must be only cat in the world that doesn't like strong fish! He'll eat a bit of poached white fish but that's it - bonkers, I know. I could hide meds in for BastardCat in lightly cured salmon but LittleBeast turns his nose up at it!

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Iamacatslave · 27/08/2023 14:42

Yippee! He will feel so much better after a poo.

GeraldTheGoodMouse · 27/08/2023 15:57

That is good news!

CloseItAgain · 27/08/2023 16:00

My cat did the same on her head in the same two places. She had just been through a pretty stressful ordeal and defo didn't have fleas so vet suggested stress. He told us to get some calming tablets online. Can't remember which ones know but I can look. After a brief period they seemed to do the job. 6 months later the same again. With the calming tabs she soon stopped and hasn't done any similar damage for months now.

Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 21:40

Thank you @CloseItAgain - I will check that out!

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silentpool · 27/08/2023 21:46

I had a cat that was allergic to fish and did this.

Fundays12 · 27/08/2023 21:51

It could be an allergy. Have you used anything new in the house like plug ins, anti bacterial spray, shake and vac (I had a cat that was badly allergic to it and scratched loads), washed her bedding in anything different?

Original poster
MrsCatE · 27/08/2023 22:54

Many thanks to all. We do agree an allergic reaction but nothing in house or to do with food. He goes out on a harness and had a large area to explore so we've restricted that. Unfortunately, vets have said no way they can identify allergen. Given that it's around his face I assume he stuck his face in something!

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Original poster
MrsCatE · 30/08/2023 16:49

Many thanks for advice all. Dampened Toothbrush advised by a PP has really worked well so very grateful for that tip. Brushing him everyday with ancient Mason and Pearson Bristle brush - it's old / vintage - sorry!!! Due next follow up check tomorrow. Apologies in advance to any dedicated Vets on this forum but I am getting very irritated at the obvious ways this newly acquired into mega corporation surgery is aiming to increase income. Most annoying was to advise against a collar when we finally got him in (we'd previously tried a Donut collar because couldn't get hold of 'emergency' vet over weekend); he subsequently ripped himself to bits when back from appointment (cat, not vet). Plus they advised against Sudacrem - I know sounds mad but previous cat had a cast and that was prescribed for chafing. LittleBeast left his sore areas alone when initially applied sudacrem over the weekend. I wouldn't give a toss re cost as long as he was comfortable, healing and not sad!

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CloseItAgain · 30/08/2023 16:53

This is what I used op. I hope you get him sorted soon x

Cat scratching his face to bits
Original poster
MrsCatE · 30/08/2023 16:53

@Cornflowers35 and your son - dampened toothbrush tip really worked! Many thanks!!

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