8/11 Billie PMPS 358 +2 264

Hello!!

Yesterday's condo: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=123316

Billie's numbers have been pretty darn awesome in the last 2 cycles. I hope they don't get thrown off today...she is still itchy and her hives are getting worse from her scratching them, so I have a vet appointment at 3:30. It seemed like everything was getting better yesterday morning, but since then she is feeling scabbier and itching more. Poor Billie. I called to ask if I should try an OTC allergy med for the itching or just bring her in and they said bring her in, so in we go...as long as she doesn't dive on me before +4 when we'd have to leave. Luckily, the vet is only a 5 minute drive away.

I hope everyone has a nice day! Vines to everyone in need.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 vet today - still itchy

just avoid a steroid shot unless you've tried everything else and it is medically necessary. steroids can induce diabetes, so you sure don't want to give one if you don't have to.

i can't remember if you've tried switching her food. Sometimes a novel protein, like kangaroo, can make a difference. seems to me that itching is often food-allergy-related.

also, do you know about convenia and metacam? we often discourage people from getting those 2 meds. convenia was developed to treat skin infections, which is why i'm mentioning is, and it is "convenient" because it lasts in the body for 2 weeks. the downside is that if a cat is allergic to it, it lasts in the body for 2 weeks. something to consider.

metacam is given for pain relief, however, there is a black box warning on it and it's only approved in cats in the US in a very specific circumstance. It's approved for 1 shot for post-operative pain. It can be hard on the liver, and we have had stories on here of cats who have died from metacam, so it's another one to be aware of. In other countries they use it more than in the US. I saw a vet acupuncturist with punkin who recommended it for him, and the vet gave it to his own cat. He said it is a dose-related issue. Buprinex (Bupe) is a safer pain-reliever for cats.

let us know how the vet visit went!

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 vet today - still itchy

Thanks Julie!! I will definitely avoid a steroid shot. I'm hoping we'll try an antihistamine and that will stop the itching so her hives can heal. I knew about metacam but didn't know about convenia, so thanks a lot for mentioning that.

I gave her Wellness chicken and lobster on Friday morning, and the hives first started popping up Friday night, so I'm pretty sure it's a fish allergy. She had a smaller amount of that food a few nights before without a reaction, but that morning, she a lot more of it (mixed with 2% chicken for her first three mini meals - I was "crafting" 5-6% food because I ran out of Turducken). So, no more fish for Billie. She had never really eaten fish before, so I'm not sure why I even tried it. There's always a chance it could be something else, but based on the timing, I'm thinking fish.

I'll report back after the visit! I'm hoping she doesn't spike too much from stress.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 vet today - still itchy

Poor Billie. Itching is torture! Sending healing and good vetty vines. I hope the vet finds the cause and has a solution.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 vet today - still itchy

Thanks Tricia! Me too! It's time to wrangle Billie into the cat carrier. Thank goodness for rotisserie chicken.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 vet today - still itchy

Billie is back!

The vet said that the allergic reaction could be from the fish, but she thinks it's more likely from the neomycin in the Neosporin. She said that cats are often allergic to it, and it could be spreading down Billie's neck as she grooms. So, I will try a bacitracin only ointment, and no more fish. She said that the reaction seems pretty mild and I can give Benadryl if Billie keeps itching, but she thinks it's already starting to clear up based on how the scabs look. So, that's good news!

She also got to check out the thickness I was feeling in Billie's scruff, and she said it just feels like fat forming as she is putting on weight, so that's good too! I'm leaving Billie alone for a bit since she is a little upset with me but will get a +5.5 or +6. I'm curious to see if the visit spiked her numbers. Meanwhile, Brooklyn was napping in the window seat when we left, and she is still napping in the window seat.

I hope everyone is having a nice day!

+5.5 118! Nice!

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 vet today - still itchy

Paws crossed eliminating fish will solve Bilile's itching problem. Marje found that Gracie was allergic to the neomycin and was going to look at Polysporin instead. It just doesn't have the pain relief part, but still has the healing ingredients. In Canada, we can only get Polysporin so that's what I used for the longest time - until a cross border shopping trip.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 +5.5 118 back from vet

Thanks Wendy!! That's good to know. I hadn't heard of Polysporin but will look for it.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 +5.5 118 back from vet

it's available in the US. i'm not sure if i'd be motivated without the pain relief part. i wonder if there is any substitute for that.

great news though - the scruff thing isn't anything serious and the allergy doesn't seem too bad either. that's about as good as it gets.

Re: 8/11 Billie AMPS 211 +3.5 112 +5.5 118 back from vet

Thanks Julie! I also wonder about substitutes for pain relief. I did some googling about holistic options but didn't find much. Maybe more icing will help. I usually only apply ice if I think I dug in too hard or there is a lot of blood, but it does seem to help and Billie must like the feeling because she doesn't try to run away from it.

I am very glad for the good news! Not so glad for the stinky pink tonight, but I was getting spoiled in the last 3 cycles with their lovely preshots. At least we'll get to sleep tonight.

I haven't given Billie the Benadryl yet...her vet advised it as optional, and as I have been reading up on Benadryl for cats, I'm not sure if I should give it to her. Her vet told me to give 12.5 mg 2x daily, but I am reading that the max dose should be 1mg per lb of body weight 2x daily, and her weight is more like 9lbs. I also read that side effects can include drowsiness or excitability, and loss of appetite. So, I'm weighing the pros and cons. She hasn't been scratching tonight, so I think I'll wait and see how she is in the morning.

I hope everyone is having a nice evening.