Cat Scratching His Neck
He is scratching so bad that he cries. I'm just to my wit ends on what to do. I have read all the blogs but no one is giving me an answer. Is there anyone out there that can help Kirby and I? Thank you.
Barnsz from Saint Joseph, MO
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RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My two indoor cats had scabs and missing fur. I just used antifungal cream (the generic one from walmart, over by the pharmacy section) twice a day then once a day. They are all healed up now.
Post by terri t
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites)...they gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites)...they gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I just got back from the vet with a cat who had large open wounds on her neck from scratching/itching (potentially allergies since she doesn't have fleas or mites). They gave her a steroid shot, steroid pills, antibiotics, flea serum, and antibiotic ointment. For the next two weeks cat medication will be my full-time job. The good news is that there is already a huge improvement in her behavior and scabs are already (finally) forming on these wounds. I guess this kind of thing is really common in white cats.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
Cat scratching his neck
Hi,
I just got back from the vet for our third visit about this in a couple of years. Their two main theories are stress and allergy. They said if it ever gets really bad they can refer to a dermatologist BUT! - two visits ago the vet suggested it might be an allergy to fish (!). I had cut fish almost right out of her diet and a few weeks ago absent-minded started giving her it again. Hey presto - hole in the neck. Worth a try. Good luck!
Post By Gill (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I want to thank everyone who response to my message
we finally found a vet that knew what was wrong and it was not good news Kirby has FIV is feline form of HIV. I have never heard of it before today how I wish I would have known before today. Ii had him at vets many times not one ever said anything about FIV or check for it so everybody. Please have Your cats checked. Thank You, Kirby & Dave
Post By barnsz (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
We had a cat for 11 years before he passed away of kidney failure, but, he too had the same problem of scratching until raw. His was always the same time of year (October through December) and always top side near the tail area. He too, never had fleas or mites....was a totally indoor cat. The Vet said it was allergies and dry skin which was causing 'hot spots'.
She would give him a shot with instructions to return if it did not help. Do not know what type of shot it was, but, it always worked for him on a yearly basis.
Post by 1burrell
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My 16 year old cat is scratching herself raw but the location changes. I have taken her to 4 vets and so far the only recommentation has been cortizone shots. It does make her comfortable, but when it wears off she scratches again. I believe it is allergies, but can't determine what. Cortizone is not recommended for long term use, but depending on the problem, it might stop the cycle to releive the itch temporarily.
Post By Callie (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My cat gets it this time of year and does the same thing. I am thinking it is dry skin, so I try to keep moisturizer or a cream for infection as well on it.
Post By Cathy C. (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I don't know a thing about cats but maybe he is allergic to his food. My dog had the same problem and it turned out she was allergic to corn, cornmeal, etc. I changed her food to lamb meal and rice and no more scratching.
Post By Beth (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
One of our cats did the same thing... we had the same results with a couple vets too...
Then I went "old time" on her... I got a dollop of bag balm from my grandmother and rubbed it into all the itchy spots. I think what happened with her is she itched... scratched it raw... then itched more when it started to heal...
Belive it or not another thing to try is preparation H cooling GEL. I used it on our dog when he got hot spots from a flea allergy... he no longer itches.
Good luck to you and Kirby.
Post by Shosha
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
I have worked for a Veterinarian for over 27 years, I am a registered R.V.T. Please ask your Veterinarian for a referral to your local Veterinary dermatologist. There are veterinarian's that specialize in all aspects of animal health care. Please do not consider euthanasia, as this is a condition that can be treated. Good luck
Post By Sherri (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
Hi. Aaahh, poor little Kirby. My cat had the same problem, and it ended up that she had allergies. She would scratch herself raw and be miserable. She needed to get allergy shots, and it helped. Good luck
Post by dellajo
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My cat scratched until the side of his face was raw. I took him to a vet, and they took a culture. It was infected. I forgot what kind of shot they gave him, but along with the shot I also got a spray (Betagen Topical Spray) to use twice a day. He had to wear a cone until it was pretty much healed. Now as soon as I notice him scratching I reach for the spray to clean the area. If you would like, I could call my vet and see just what his problem was.
Post By Judy. (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
Ask your vet if he will give you "Ovaban" for your cat. It is normally usd for dogs, however several years ago I had a cat with a scratching problem which was cleared up by using that med. My neighbor now has a cat with the problem, got her vet to give her ovaban and it cleared it up for her too. She can't get small (cat size) pills anymore but cuts the larger ones down for Muffin.
Post By Pat (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
FYI: Buspirone is the generic name.
Buspar is the nongeneric.
5mg - 1/2 tablet, 2x day.
OK to crush in a teeny bit of tuna
May take a few weeks to see results but it works.
OK to take daily regularly as no other side effects
Great for other behavorial issues as peeing, nerveousness as well.
Can give up to 7mg daily per my vet/dermie.
My cat has suffered for many years and was misdiagnosed for many years by other vets. When we found a feline dermatologist it was amazing. Kitty is doing great! She is 13 and finally itch free.
Post By DVG (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My Siamese has allergies. She scratches until she bleeds, licks until she is raw. I took her to a feline dermatologist who did blood work first; then prescribed a buspirone (5 mg 1/2 tab 2x day) for her. Has no side effects but also works well if there are peeing or behavioral issues.
She has stopped scratching and loves that I mix her pill with a teeny bit of tuna for her to take it. Its her special treat. What is good is that after a follow-up visit, my regular vet can refill her scripts. If there is no feline dermatologist near you, mention this to your vet.
Post By DVG (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
If you can, try another vet. I have never seen the behaviour you've experienced in any cats I've owned. However, I am wondering if it has something to do with the cat's ears? My cat gets a buildup of wax in her ears. When massaged, the liquid wax comes out when she shakes her head. It also drained down the back of her throat from her eustachin tubes. Good luck
Post By Carol in PA (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
CHANGE your CATS FOOD! I cannot express this enough. If there is an allergy it is vary likely the food and not only are they likely to be allergic if you are using COMMERCIAL type foods it's a definite for all our pets even if they aren't showing symptoms.
The other is the dry air but also SYNTHETIC Fabrics,the carpet,bedding everything. The SOAPS you use all likely have many chemicals and with all these different possibilities its very likely a Combination not to mention even many products found in Health Food stores have many many bad chemicals in them that cause all kinds of dematitis', DUST MITES irritate my dog. There are tests and solutions for that as well.. www.azmira.com Can give you far more detailed info on the foods & Solutions BEST for your pet!
Post By Mista (Guest Post)
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
Ok, I am going to say it is the same thing that my 3 cats have Dry Skin. Always this time of year, always the neck area only. I have a small amount of Cod Liver Oil in a bowl, in their feeding area, and I am finding they eat their food, take a lick or two of the oil, and things improved.
For the cats with open sores; equal parts honey and cod liver oil (a teaspoon of each), mix into a smooth consistency & apply to the afflicted area. This salve has very good healing properties. A friend of mine who was a vets assistant gave me some years ago, and it works for open sores, irritated skin problems, and it is good for their insides.
Good Luck, I hope this helps.
Post by hedera
RE: Cat Scratching His Neck
My 7-month old cat has the exact same problem. Her neck looks worse every week. It's even bloody at times and she's losing hair. We've tried EVERYTHING. We've taken her to the vet 3 times and she doesn't have anything wrong. Nobody knows what to do!
Someone recommended putting her to sleep. Of course it would break my heart if that's what it came to, but I don't know if we should do that or not. HELP!
Post by claytonship
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