Skin allergy in my cat
My 13 year old tabby has been scratching her head between eyes and ears and making it raw. Went to the vet with her yesterday and was persuaded to have her given a corticosteroid shot. This is supposed to relieve the itching and allergic reaction in a day or two. But I am very concerned about giving too many steroids and don't want to continue it long term.
Other options would be oral steroid medication, working down to a pill every other day. I've also read that antihistimines can do some good?
Still wondering about the cause: might be seasonal pollens: she's an indoor cat but twice recently we went outside with her and let her roll in the grass. She also is a chronic herpesvirus sufferer, and has had an outbreak in her eyes the last few weeks (red and swollen) which I've treated with antibiotic eye ointment and the eyes are looking better. Steroids suppress the immune system, which might be really bad for her herpes resistance. So we want to suppress the immune system because of allergic reaction, and then encourage it to resist the virus! Oh dear.
The vet discussed a hypoallergenic diet that we could try, involving eight weeks on nothing but the special food (Hills Z/D.) I will see what happens to her symptoms before going there. The shot should last several weeks and she is going to be rechecked in mid-July. If it is only spring pollens, we will only have to treat for a few weeks during the year.
Just wondering what others have been through with allergies. Could the eye thing have been allergy related rather than, or on top of the herpes symptoms? She has been itchy and miserable and has spent more time hiding under the bed, poor kitty. But today she's out in her normal sleeping spot, which is encouraging!
= new reply since forum marked as read
First, you're clearly doing something right because your cat is 13. 
Itchiness can be from a multitude of things. It could be pollen or other allergen, something in the environment, bacteria, fungus, etc., etc. Cats, like humans, can develop allergies at any time, even suddenly. But it may not be an allergy. Did any of the vets take skin scrapings to see if it's bacterial or fungal? If not, and you can afford it, ask to have it done.
You're right about steroids.
Cats, like all beings, especially mammals, need the good earth under their feet and the light of the sun (or moon if truly nocturnal). They love eating grass, which is good for them if pesticide- and herbicide-free. You didn't do anything wrong by letting your cat have some fresh air and sunshine.
Have you thought about any changes in your environment? New detergents or soaps or shampoos? What about other cleaning products? Dryer sheets are particularly toxic and an environmental nightmare. Did you have carpets cleaned? Is someone wearing cologne or changed scents? Is there something new in the environment outside your home, like someone using dryer sheets or spraying their lawn with chemicals? There are too many possibilities to list, but maybe these ideas will get you started on thinking outside the usual boxes of food, etc. (Not saying it's not a sudden allergy to food, however.)
I recently went through a long nightmare with my dog and serious skin issues. My first line of defense is my long-time holistic vet, but a near-emergency had me and my dog at the local vet. After dealing with an eye thing, she recommended a product called Catalyst for her skin. (If you look it up, try using catalyst animal pharmaceuticals as a search term.) After a year of trying various things, this stuff started my dog's fur regrowing within 3 days. I'm not kidding. I rarely like anything sold at a vet's office, but this stuff is amazing. I've told my holistic vet about it, and he's contacted the manufacturer for more information. But so far, it looks like it's okay. And it's hard to criticize amazing success. (And in the midst of the eye and skin stuff, she was bitten by a black widow spider, which has been sheer misery for all concerned. But that's another story -- with a happy ending.)
Point is, you might try this stuff for your cat. It stopped my dog's itching and scratching, healed her skin and continues to regrow her fur.
Lastly, as an interspecies communicator, I always tell people to talk to their pets. Talking is the easy part, but listening is easier than you think. You don't have to talk or "think" to your cat in symbols. All language is automatically translated into symbols. They really do understand. So try taking some time -- even a few minutes -- to just talk to your friend. Tell her anything and everything. Ask her what's wrong, and if she knows, she'll tell you. When you listen, trust yourself. That's the hard part: trusting yourself.
Sometimes our pets take on our own illnesses or symptoms. Is there anyone who has similar symptoms?
If you are spiritual or religious, you can ask for the answer or solution to be shown to you as you sit quietly. Some people find it better to sit with or near their pets, but it's not necessary unless it's necessary for you. (That sounds confusing, but think about it.)
Our companion animals have much to teach us.
Again, trust yourself. You're clearly doing a great job of being a loving guardian for your cat.
