Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being. Whether or not you are a brand new pet dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can maintain your kitty pleased, wholesome, and feline nice. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care on your furry companion.
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HELP! My Cat Is Scratching Herself Bald!
“Good morning Dr Paola,
My query is concerning my 1-year-old rescue cat, Daisy, that I adopted in Could, 2026.
She began scratching and itching her physique till she has “bald” spots. The vet has tried prednisolone, hydrolyzed canned meals, and just lately, a steroid injection. I attempted placing Atopica liquid in her meals, which she refused to eat.
Latest blood work confirmed 2 components have been elevated, thus the hydrolyzed particular food regimen.
The steroid injection has now worn off, and he or she’s again to scratching once more.
Are you aware what else will be achieved for her? I solely need her to have a greater high quality of life than what she had prior to now. I am determined at this level.
Thanks for taking the time to learn this.”
– Patricia
Expensive Patricia,
I’m so sorry Daisy goes by means of this. Watching Daisy repeatedly scratch herself till she develops bald areas should be extremely tough, particularly when you’ve gotten already tried a number of therapies. The excellent news is that persistent itching doesn’t essentially imply there aren’t any choices left. In cats, the pores and skin is a bit of like a smoke alarm. It tells us one thing is mistaken, however we nonetheless have to determine what’s setting the alarm off.
Flea allergy deserves specific consideration as a result of an allergic cat doesn’t have to have a flea infestation to turn out to be intensely itchy. In actual fact, one flea chew will be sufficient to set off a major response as a result of the allergy is directed towards proteins within the flea’s saliva. For this reason you could by no means truly discover a flea on Daisy. It’s also essential to grasp that some flea-control merchandise kill fleas after they’ve bitten, reasonably than stopping the chew itself, so an allergic cat can doubtlessly nonetheless react regardless of being handled. Search for a product that doesn’t require the flea to chew to be efficient. Constant, efficient flea management for each pet within the family and the atmosphere is subsequently an essential a part of breaking this cycle, even for indoor-only pets.
Different prospects embody mites, fungal an infection comparable to dermatophytosis, bacterial or yeast overgrowth, meals allergy, and environmental allergy. A radical dermatologic examination, pores and skin cytology, applicable parasite testing, and fungal testing may help slim down the trigger. If meals allergy is suspected, the hydrolyzed food regimen must be a strict elimination trial for 8-12 weeks, with no different meals, treats, flavored drugs, or dietary supplements.
I’d additionally talk about the ciclosporin, Atopica, together with her veterinarian. It may be useful for allergic pores and skin illness in cats, nevertheless it typically takes time to work and must be given constantly. As you’ve skilled already, placing it into meals can lead to Daisy refusing to eat or receiving an unpredictable dose.
As a result of repeated corticosteroid injections can carry important dangers with continued use, I’d be cautious about merely repeating them with out figuring out what’s driving the itching. A veterinary dermatologist could also be notably useful at this stage as a result of tough feline pores and skin circumstances typically profit from a structured diagnostic strategy.
Most significantly, please don’t really feel that you’ve got failed Daisy. You’ve got already given her one thing extremely useful: a secure residence and an advocate who is decided to enhance her high quality of life. The objective now could be to seek out the set off and develop a sustainable plan to maintain her snug, reasonably than repeatedly placing out the hearth with out discovering what’s inflicting it.
I hope this helps!
– Dr. Paola
